The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-09-05

There is no question that the Indiana dunes are
worthy of national park honors. October ~, 1910
a public hearing was held in Chicago by the IN
terror department In pursuance Of a senate resolu-
ton. In September, 1917, q printed report by
Director Stephen Il. Mather of the national park
service was issued. This report eliminated from
consideration all of the dune country except Il
strip along the shore Of Lake Michigan about Il
mile deep between Miller's in Lake county ana
Michigan City. After describing the Cunes with
considerable enthusiasm, Director Mather says:
"AsSuming, without further description of actual
conditions in this dune country, that the sand
dunes Of 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
esting flora and fauna that they offer unparalleled
opportunities to observe the action Of the wind
and it's influence on the sand and plant life; that
the Lake Michigan beach is beautiful and offers
bathing facilities for q multitude that the recrea-
tional 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 peopleT'
He answers the first two questions emphatically
in the affirmative. He says this region should be
preserved to the people for all time and that it Is
worthy of national park honors. AS to the third
question, he thinks 1t 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 Is 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 $1,000 an acre.
"Monifestly," says Mr.. Mather, none of these
lands are actually worth $3.50 an acre at this time.
figure less than 5000 an acre probably represents
" aa+- yolua nf tho average tract of land pnt
under the influence of urban values, due to prox-
unity TO cities. Practically all Of the lurger hold
ings must be purchased in their entirety. | believe
that 1000 to 1900 acres Of dune lands can prob
ably be secured for park purposes for approximate
w 5000 an acre. The purchase price Of a park of
the size suggested would therefore be between
81 SOC. 900 and $2,6OO,OOO."
The proposed Dune National park is really q
wonderful place. In the first place. the dunes are
IN uninhabited wilderness. The fact that there Ii
an uninhabited wilderness within q few miles OF
the center of populatiOn-in 1910 at Bloomington
Ind-anda at the very doors of Chicago, the secOnt
c,tv Of the nation and the fourth city OF the world
:. IN itself q marvel. Incidentally, the dunes are
within a few hours by rail and automobile of 20,
ON OOO people. This makes them unique as a pub
lie playground.
the monotonous fatness OF the chicago plain
Thov ore a country of hills and bluffs. gullies AM
valleys. There ere all sorts or interesting varia
tions. Ltd lakes, .t.a ak Dogs, meadows. In
bluffs above the beach rt imposing. Inc Deac
itself IS a wonder-broad, smooth, clean. Tree froI