The Bolivar County Democrat., 1919-08-30

There is question that the Indiana dunes are
worthy of national park honors. October 80, 1876
public hearing was held in Chicago by the IN
terror department in pursuance of a senate resolu
ton. In September, 1917, printed report by
Director Stephen T. Mather of the national park
service issued. This report eliminated from
consideration all of the dune country except
strip along the shore of Lake Michigan about
mile deep between Mers 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 of Indiana equal to those in any other
section of the country; that they the most
cessible dunes; that they possess extremely inter-
estng flora and fauna that they offer unparalleled
opportunities to observe the action of the wind
and its influence the sand and plant life; that
the Lake Michigan beach Is beautiful and offers
bathing facilities for multitude; that the recrea-
tonal uses of the region myriad, should they,
or large section of them be preserved for present
and future generations? If they should be pre-
served, the worthy of inclusion in a national
park? And if troy worthy of consideration
a possible national park, would it be practicable
to establish them such park for the benefit
and enjoyment of the peoples?
He answers the first two questions enphatically
in the affirmative. He says this region should be
preserved the people for all time and that it is
worthy of national park honOrs. AS to the third
question he thinks it one of legislative policy to
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 1900
acres extending 10 20 miles along the lake He
finds that options secured by Spectators vary
between $3.50 and 5000 acre, with tract Of
$500 acres held at 1000 an acre.
"Manfestly," says Mr.. Mather, none of these
lands are actually worth $3.50 an acre at this time.
A figure less than 5000 acre probably represents
n
under the influence of urban values, due to prox-
imity TO cities Practically all of the larger hold
ings must be purchased in their entirety believe
that Q 900 to 1900 acres of dune lands prob
ably be secured for park purposes for approximate
ly 5000 an acre. The purchase price Of a park OF
the size suggested would therefore be between
ST 100000 and So, 100000
The proposed Dune National park is really
wonderful place In the first place, the dunes
an unlnhabted wilderness. The fact that there is
an unnhabited wilderness within few miles OF
tbe center of population-in 1910 at Bloomington.
Ind-aDd at the very doors of Chicago, the second
c;tv of the nation and the fourth city of the world,
10 In its.if a marvel. Incidentally. the dunes
within few hours by rail and automobile of 90
900 900 people This makes them unique as pub
lie playground.
Arain: The dunes are a different world from
the monotonous fatness of the Chicago plain.
Tbav are country Of hills and bluffs gullies and
valleys There are all sorts Of interesting varia-
tiors. Little lakes streams bogs. meadows The
bluffs above the beach imposing. The beach
itself is a wonder--broad smooth, Clean free from