The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-08-29

There is no question that the Indiana dunes are
worthy of national park honors. October 80, 1916,
Il public hearing was held in Chicago by the in
terror department in pursuance of a senate resolu-
ton. In September, 1917, Il printed report by
Director Stephen T. Mather of the national park
service was issued. This report eliminated from
consideration all of the dune country except a
strip along the shore of Lake Michigan about a
mile deep between Miller's in Lake county and
Michigan City. After describing the dunes with
considerable enthusiasm, Director Mather says:
Assuming, without further description Of actual
conditions in this dune country, that the sand
dunes or Indiana are equal TO those in any other
section of the country that they are the most ac-
cessible dunes; that they possess extremely inter-
estlng flora and fauna that they offer unparalleled
opportunities TO observe the action Of the wind
and its influence on the sand and plant life; that
the Lake Michigan beach is beautiful and offers
bathing facilities for n multitude that the recrea-
tonal uses of the region are myriad, should they,
or a large section of them, be preserved for present
and future generations? If they should be pre-
served, are they worthy Of inclusion in a national
park? And if they are worthy OF consideration as
a possible national park, would it be practicable
to establish them as such a park for the benefit
and enjoyment Of the %people?'
He answers the first two questions elnphatically
in the affirmative. He says this region should be
preserved to the people for all time anu that it is
worthy Of national park hOnors. AS to the third
UuGStlOD, lit lnhlhS IL OIc vi LEGISLATIVE DOncV 10
be determined by congress. inasmuch as the dunes
are not public lands, and private lands have never
been purchased for national park purposes. He
thinks the park should contain from 5000 TO 1000
acres. extending 10 or 20 miles along the lake. He
finds that options secured by spectators vary
between $3.50 and 5000 an acre, with one tract of
1900 acres held at 81, 600 an acre.
"Manifestly," says Mr.. Mather, none OF these
lands are actually worth $3.50 an acre at this time.
A figure less than 5000 an acre probably represents
the actual value of the average tract of land not
under the influence of urban values, due to prox-
unity to cities. Practically all of the larger hold
ings must be purchased in their entirety. / believe
that @ 600 to 1900 acres of dune lands can prob
ably be secured for park purposes for approximate
lv 5000 an acre. The purchase price Of a park of
the size suggested would therefore be between
S1,SOO,O 600 and $2,6OO,OOO." s--~v.
The proposed Dune National park is really n
wonderful place. In the first place, the dunes are
an uninhabited wilderness. The fact that there Is
an uninhabited wilderness within a few miles OF
the center of pOpulation-in 1910 Mt Bloomington,
Ind and at the very doors of Chicago, the second
city of the nation and the fourth city of the world,
is in itself q marvel. Incidentally, the dunes are
within a few hours by rail and Of 90
600 600 people. This makes them unique as a pub
lie playground.
Again: The dunes are a different world from
the monOtonous fairness Of the Chicago plain.
They are a country Of hills and bluffs, gullies and
valleys. There are all sorts OF interesting varia-
lions: Little lakes, streams, boys, meadows. The
bluffs above the beach are imposing. The beach
itself is n wonder-broad smooth. clean. free from