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McCormick's Creek State Park
History of McCormick's Creek State Park
Prior to settlement, many Amerindian tribes hunted the area's rich wildlife population and utilized many of the other food sources in the area. Tribes using the land included the Miamis, Pottawatomies, Eel River Indians and Delaware tribes. Game animals included white tailed deer, wild turkeys, bison, squirrels and rabbits. The forests yielded a rich supply of nuts and acorns while the forests floor provided blackberries, raspberries, plum, persimmons and grapes.
Too Poor to Farm
Early settler John McCormick homesteaded about 100 acres of land in the area around the waterfall on what became known as McCormick's Creek in 1816. Numerous attempts to build a gristmill failed because the creek's water flow was not sufficient. The soil was too poor to farm and the difficult terrain made transportation of the quarried limestone in the area almost impossible.
Sanitarium
Physician Frederick Denkewalter, impressed with the tranquil atmosphere of the site, established a sanitarium on the site now occupied by Canyon Inn in 1888. When Dr. Denkewalter passed away in 1914, the State of Indiana purchased his estate for the establishment of a state park.
First State Park
The founder of the Indiana State Park system Richard Lieber had become aware of the area and pressed for the property to be used as one of the state's first state parks. In honor of Indiana's centennial in 1916, the state established the state park system, with McCormick's Creek becoming the first state park on July 4, 1916. The park's dedication was part of the state's Centennial celebration. Originally, 350 acres, the park has grown to 1924 acres through the acquisition of surround farmland.
John Wesley McCormick, I (August 30, 1754 - April 18, 1837)
The son of Francis W McCormick and Ann Provance, John was native to Winchester Virginia. He served in three different regiments during the Revolutionary War, from 1776 through 1783. During the course of the war, McCormick moved to Pennsylvania, where he married Catherine Drennen. The couple would have fourteen children. In 1808 the family moved by wagon, then flatboat, to Preble County, Ohio. A short time after moving to Ohio, the family moved into the Indiana Territory. They first settled at Connersville, but moved away due to troubles with the natives. In 1816, McCormick settled in the area that is now McCormick's Creek State Park. John died on April 18, 1837, Catherine on February 22, 1862. A stone marker inside the state park marks the site of their cabin.
Dr. Frederick William Denkewalter (February 20, 1842 - June 28, 1914)
A native of Baden, Germany, Dr. Denkewalter immigrated to Indianapolis in 1870, where he opened a drug store. Denkewalter founded the Spencer Mineral Springs Hotel and Sanitarium in 1888 near Spencer, Indiana. He passed away in his home in Spencer, Indiana from heart failure. And is interred at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.
Richard Lieber (September 5, 1869 – April 15, 1944)
Visitors to Turkey Run will find the Richard Lieber Memorial east of Turkey Run Inn behind the Log Church. The Memorial contains the ashes of the founder of the Indiana State Park system. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany to a wealthy family, he received his education from private tutors.
Immigration to Indiana
To fulfill his parent's desire to learn English, he traveled to London, England after graduating from college. In 1891, he came to Indianapolis, Indiana in to join two uncles who had immigrated there. He eventually became an American citizen. He worked as a reporter for the Indiana Tribune and married the owner's daughter, Emma Rappaport. After visiting Yosemite National Park, the Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Montana in 1900, he became an ardent conservationist. President Theodore Roosevelt held Conference of Governors in 1908, which Lieber attended as a delegate. He wrote a series of articles promoting Indianapolis as the site for the Fourth National Conservation Congress in 1912. He succeeded in his effort, and served as the chairman.
Founder of Indiana State Park System
As Indiana's centennial approached, Lieber began advocating for a state park system. Because of his efforts, Turkey Run and McCormick's Creek State Park were established in 1916. Lieber passed away while visiting McCormick's Creek in 1944. His ashes lie at Turkey Run State Park.
