Spring Mill State Park

Spring Mill Inn

More photos from our delightful visit of Spring Mill State Park, Indiana. Above is Spring Mill Inn, a lodge built from hand-quarried Indiana Limestone. Here, we had a wonderful lunch in their rustic dining room. I HAD to try the persimmon pudding - it was outstanding!





After lunch we headed to the Pioneer Village, founded in 1814, to stroll down tree-lined walkways, cross ambling streams and weave our way among scores of historic buildings. Each building housed volunteers in period clothing working as weavers, blacksmiths and gardeners among others. We kept looking for the tavern ... !

The Granny White House

Here, a weaving demonstration on a huge loom - amazing

According to their website, Heritage Interpreters portray the year 1863 and demonstrate period crafts. I also noted on their website that Twin Caves at Spring Mill is closed to provide protection from White-nose syndrome, a fungus that is killing bats in large numbers in the Northeastern US, spreading westward. There are other privately-owned caves that are open but precautions are taken to manage the potential threat.

See the hornet's nest?

Before arriving at Spring Mill we'd stopped at a local produce shop to purchase locally-made preserves and other items. Hanging on the walls were massive hornet's nests, thankfully empty. They made quite an impression on me and I was stunned to find this one, above, hanging on the old mill at Spring Mill State Park! Not a fan of hornets, me, and this one was very active!

Spring Mill

This 1817 Grist Mill works. While the family went inside to listen to the historian give its history I meandered and took photos. I've visited other working mills in the south but have never seen one as massive and substantial as this one, which was also built with hand-quarried Indiana Limestone.





A water trough channels water from an uphill stream to the mill. The fast-moving water powers its formidable wheel.



There was so much to see at Spring Mill State Park but our time was very limited. Next post I'll show you more of the mill itself.