Mitchell Sites

The Works Progress Administration excavated and constructed stone drives, straightened the monuments, improved the grounds, and constructed the entrance posts at Huron Cemetery in Huron, Indiana. $3022 was budgeted for project.

Spring Mill State Park was occupied by New Deal agencies from 1933 until 1941. CCC Company 1536 first occupied the camp in June of 1933. The camp was integrated and consisted of eight percent black enrollees. Company 1536 constructed overnight cabins, a campground, a boathouse, shelters, and more. Company 1536 was eventually joined by a Company 539. Company 539 was completely comprised of African Americans that had just arrived from Yellowstone. Company 539 constructed a triple arched bridge, restrooms, and shelters. WPA laborers also helped build a water system at Spring Mill State Park.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborers worked together to build a bathhouse.  The project spanned from 1933 till 1941. The project was abandoned by the New Deal agencies at the onset of World War II. The project was eventually completed by park workers. The remodeled bathhouse now serves as the park's Nature Center.

CCC laborers completed Spring Mill Bridge in 1935. The triple arch stone bridge was beautifully designed and is classified as a Parks Rustic. The bridge crosses the west end of Spring Mill Lake.

The Butternut Grove Shelter was completed in 1934 by CCC laborers. The shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

The CCC Camp SP10 is located west of the service building. At the site there are multiple stone markers. "Here Lies Old Man Carelessness, September 1939" is inscribed on a limestone marker. The significance of the marker has not been identified.

Picnic area with stone patio and benches with a fireplace and two tables Located south of the Butternut Shelter on Trail 4 ENTIRELY NOT New Deal - I took a video of a female pileated woodpecker drilling on a fallen log by this picnic area. That was really cool.

The Donaldson Shelter was completed by CCC laborers in 1934. In 1940 the shelter was moved and remodeled by CCC laborers. The CCC workers added fireplaces and a comfort station. The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

Using a variety of native materials, the CCC built gatehouses designed to appeal to the eye and draw in visitors with hints of the delights of nature within the park. The gatehouse at Spring Mill State Park was completed by CCC laborers in 1940. The style of the gatehouse is classified as Parks Rustic.

The CCC laborers completed three overnight cabins in 1938. Two of the three cabins remain today. A photograph of cabin 2 was in the 1938 National Park Service Publication, Park and Recreation Structures. The style of the overnight cabins is classified as Parks Rustic.

The refreshment stand was completed by CCC laborers in 1934.The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

The service building was completed by CCC laborers in 1940. The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

The souvenir stand was completed  by CCC laborers in 1940. The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

The Spring Mill Inn, completed in 1939, was the only new park hotel built during the New Deal years, and the extent of the WPA's involvement with this project, if any, remains unclear. Records indicate CCC laborers contributed to building the road, parking lot, and landscaping.

The CCC laborers completed the Spring Mill Lake in 1937. The CCC workers also built a dam. The dam has remained in use and is unaltered.

The Sycamore Shelter was completed by CCC laborers in 1935.The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.

These restrooms were completed by CCC laborers in 1934. The style of the structure is classified as Parks Rustic.