A plaque was created in 1968 to honor the individuals who laid the groundwork for creating Spring Mill State Park. That plaque hangs in the Spring Mill Inn. Read a little about those men below:
Albert Fields is attributed as the one who originated the idea of establishing Spring Mill State Park. He was an attorney and was mayor of Bedford from 1910-1918. He led the committee of seven individuals in securing the initial Donaldson Woods acreage for the park in 1923 and continued to advocate for the park until it was officially established in 1927. Fields was actually born in the Sheeks cabin that is now in the Pioneer Village. He was the son of George and Mary (Sheeks) Fields.
Walter Sherrill was one of the seven committee members who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was a community leader and a partner in a prominent printing business.
Miles Standish was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was a farmer and mule salesman from Salem. He served on the city council and the Chamber of Commerce. He was Vice President of a Bank and involved with the Rotary Club.
Everett Clark was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was a “highly respected” lawyer who fought to bring jobs to the community during the depression. He was a person of “great wit and wisdom” and apparently fun at parties!
Ben Sherwood was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was a local leader in the Rotary Club and served as a Rotary Club Governor. He owned the first Ford Dealership and was head of the “Forward Bedford” initiative.
William Walls was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was an insurance and real estate executive and involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a chair and member.
Eugene B. Crowe was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. Through his efforts, the plaque was produced to honor those instrumental in creating the park. He was a teacher, owned a furniture business and helped organize the Bedford Merchant’s Association. He served as a representative in the U.S. Congress and was engaged in initiatives such as the Hawaii Statehood Committee, Indiana limestone for structures in the District of Columbia and locating Crane Naval Base in Indiana.
Kern Armstrong was a part of the committee who worked for the acquisition of land for Spring Mill State Park. He was a lifelong farmer and served two terms as a county commissioner who purchased many of the smaller tracts of land and donated them to help create the state park. And he was apparently well-known for his good barbecue!
State Representative Elam Y. Guernsey was passionate about geology and archaeology, and worked closely with Col. Richard Lieber in founding the Indiana State Parks system. Hedrafted legislation with State Senator John Sherwood that allowed the Donaldson Woods tract, held at the time by Indiana University, to be transferred to the State of Indiana. He was the first park superintendent and oversaw the restoration of the Pioneer Village.
During his 20 years in the state legislature, he authored state law that protects songbirds, supported legislation for the Indiana Department of Conservation focused on archaeology and historic sites, and later worked for the Department of Conservation as a historian. He spoke nationally about the importance of local history in parks.
State Senator John Sherwood served four years in the Indiana House of Representatives and eight years in the Indiana Senate. He and State RepresentativeElam Y. Guernsey drafted the documents that would allow the tract held by Indiana University to the State of Indiana. Sherwood was a farmer and carpenter who served as the Director of the Lawrence County Department of Public Welfare and as the Director of the Martin County REMC.
William Weiknecht was a chemist and then the plant manager at Lehigh Cement (now called Heidelberg Materials) while the park was being founded. He served as the local contact to help negotiate with the company’s leadership to sell the 290.5 acres of the village to the State of Indiana for just $1.00.
Thanks to all of these community leaders and those who stood with them in support to create Spring Mill State Park.
“The memory of these men who were responsible for this park will always be enshrined in Bronze. I hope this will inspire others to be of public service and to do things for the benefit of others” --Governor Roger Branigin, October 31st, 1968, Plaque Dedication Speech
