Mill Pond Area
The north end of the Park, along Trail 8, has an interesting mix of pre-park era features and CCC-era as well. Today, there is an information panel at the trailhead highlighting these features.
A grist mill and a saw mill both existed on or near Big Clifty Creek. Post cards of the era show the mill race (exact location not known). There are no known traces of these structures today. However, the mill pond (2 - dam, 3 - back end) still exists next to the remains of the old CCC pump house (1). The abandoned quarry (4) sits along the creek further upstream.
In April 1921, 38.5 acres, including the grist mill, were sold to the Indiana Department of Conservation and became part of the park.
The Quarry
This quarry at the first bend of Big Clifty Creek over Black Road at the north end is a pre-park feature. It was cut back into the hillside at this bend. Not sure if it was used in CCC days.
The Mill Pond
The mill pond is small low-head dam constructed of blocks, probably from the quarry above. A vintage postcard shows it as a swimming hole for locals.
The Pump House
The pump house is thought to be a CCC structure. It sits on the west side of Big Clifty Creek along a straight-away and next to the Mill Pond