story by Glenda Winders
No matter which of Indiana’s 24 state parks you visit, you’ll get a big dose of calming greenery and a bit of relaxation from the routine. But each has a personality of its own, and Fort Harrison State Park is a prime example. It offers amenities, history, and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
The park is located at the site of what was a military installation, Fort Benjamin Harrison. The base opened in 1906 and was named for the recently deceased president, who resided in Indianapolis. His son lobbied to keep a military presence in Indiana, and President Theodore Roosevelt did.
The location served as a troop reception area from World War I through Operation Desert Storm, and as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. With the end of the Cold War, however, it was one of the facilities that government officials decided to close.
Left behind were a lodge, golf course, officers club, officers’ homes, and one of the largest hardwood forests in central Indiana. In 1991, the U.S. Department of the Interior gifted 1,700 of the 2,500 acres to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be used as a park, and that’s what it has been ever since.
Today the building that first opened as a hospital and later served as post headquarters is Fort Harrison State Park Inn. Located near the park entrance, this hotel places guests just 20 minutes away from downtown Indianapolis’s businesses, restaurants, and entertainment while still offering a quiet retreat from distractions. Guests can choose from king or queen rooms and suites that are charmingly different from a typical hotel.
Stay for two consecutive nights Sunday through Thursday through November, and you’ll receive 25% off the best room rate. Some blackout dates apply, such as the Labor Day weekend. Many rooms are pet friendly.
Spring is a good time to walk through the woods and take in the wildflowers adorning the ravines and hillsides. The park features six hiking trails and one designated horseback-riding trail, with horse rentals available on-site. One of the hiking trails is paved, making it ideal for
both bikers and inline skaters as well.
Standard fishing is an option when the weather permits. When autumn arrives, this is the best place in the city to see the changing colors of the leaves. In winter, the park has one of the best sledding hills around as well as ice-fishing on Delaware Lake. An interpreter at the park office can help you learn about the park’s history and the natural environment.
The Museum of 20th Century Warfare is also here for you to peruse, free of charge once you have paid to enter the park, from March to Veterans Day. Here you’ll find exhibits about the fort’s history, artifacts, and uniforms that belonged to the people who served, and a 14-foot model of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which was sunk in 1945.
Golfers will naturally want to head for the championship 18-hole golf course just outside the property that was designed by Pete Dye. The 7,148-yard par-72 course features treelined fairways, rolling hills, and undulating greens. Players of all skill levels are welcome, and if you think you need to brush up a bit, you can book a lesson. The just-opened golfing center houses the Indiana Golf Foundation Hall of Fame, a golf academy and an adjacent practice area. A golf shop can outfit you with whatever you need to enjoy your game.
Reserve your stay online at IndianaInns.com or by calling 1.877.LODGES1
