Save the Shades-Articles - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Sale of the timber on the 1,300-acre tract of The SHades Park southwest of here has been voted by the board of directors of the corporation operating the scenic resort. Operated as a pleasure resort for more than 100 years, THe Shades contains magnificent speciments of many varieties of trees once common to Indiana included are mammoth white oaks; wild cheerry; walnut; poplar; ash; sycamore; beech and fum trees. 80% of the timber consists of well known hard wood varieties. The 8 directors of the resort, all of who are children of the late Joseph W. Frisz, have been considering sale of the timber for several years and recnelty decided they should dispose of the timber asset6s of the tract at the present time. The State Conservation Department has been interested in the purchase of the tract for some time but has been unable to co,plete the purchase due to lack of funds, directors of the resort say. The Shades resort was incorporated in 1886 under the name of Garland Dell Mineral Springs Association. The land is situated on Sugar Cree, with 600 acres in Montgomery County, 560 in Parke County and 120 in Fountain County, all of it contigious. The area abounds in deep ravines, mineral springs, waterfalls and high sandstone bluffs.

Indianapolis, Feb 19 -- The State Conservation Commission was to meet today with the owners of the Shades Park in Montgomery County to discuss the signing of an option to purchase to 1,462 acre wooded area. The park contains valuable white oak, black walnut and yellow poplar trees valued in 1941 at about $87,000. Commissioners talked late Tuesday with PJ Frist, president of the Garland Dell Mineral Sprinsg Association and manager of the park. A spokesman said Frisz agreed to bring in 7 of the 8 brothers and sisters who form the corporation at 1 p.m. Wednesday to take up the matter of an option. The price appears to be between $300,000 and $400,000 the spokesman said. "If we can agree on a price today, although that price would not necessarily be final on our part, we might be able to work out an option agreement." Lisle Wallace, commission chairaman said that "once we obtain an option, probably for more than 90 days, we will have something concrete upon which to set up a public subscription agreement, perhaps with some established group, patriotic or otherwise." About 1,200 acres of the park are covered with the valuable timber, which has been sought by commercial interests. THe Frisz heirs previously had agreed to give the state an opportunity to bid on the property.

Indianapolis, April 11 -- The Indiana Department of the American Legion today requested attorneys for the Shades park to hold open an option on the park for an indefinite period. The State Conservaton Department had taken a $50,000 option which expired at midnight last night. THe option was transferrable to the Legion. William Sayer, Indiana Department adjutant, sent a telegram to Bernard Foley, Crawfordsville lawyer representing the owners of the Shades, that the Legion does not now desire to exercise the option to purchase the 2,000-acre track in Montgomery County, but asked that it be held open. THe Legion proposes to open a public subscription campaign May 1 to collect $300,000 to purchase the park and turn it over to the state. Sayer said he had asked the Interval Revenue Department to determine whether contributions to the fund would be exempt from federal taxes. He said it would require two to four weeks to receive an answer. WI Brunton, state Legion Commander and Frank M. McHale former Legion National Committeeman, were schedule to talk with Foley today regarding the holding open of the option.

Chances that the Shades Park with its primitive beauty and virgin timber might be preserved for future generations appeared to be fading rapidly Friday. Fabian Frisz, representing the owners of the resort, was in Indianapolis for a final meeting with officials of the Conservation Department after the American Legion its option already expired, sought a smaller price than the $300,000 previously agreed upon for the 1,452-acre tract. "It's a matter of take it or leave it," said Mr. Frisz. "The Conservation Department after an exhaustive survey, offered the agreed price for the land and that's it. The family has agreed on the price at which the Shades may be purchased. If this price is not met, the trees are going to the sawmill." The Journal-Review has no interest in the price set on the famous old resort, one of the last places in the state where virgin lumber of many varieties still stands and where nature is untouched, but it is interested in the preservation of this scenic spot for oncoming generations. Of course, if the state is merely interested in purchasing farm land, tracts of comparable size can be found at a considerably smaller valuation. But the Shades are more than land. They represent the last stand of the forest primeval against the encroachment of civilization. And as such there is no real intrinsic value. The local Legion post has, time after time, favored purchase of the park by the state and still is wholeheartedly behind the proposal to make it a memorial park in honor of the soldiers of WWI and II. And in this emergency, we believe the entire community once again should rally behind the proposal to acquire the tract as a public institution rather than to allow it feel the bite of the woodman's axe and become just another bit of marginal land.

At a meetubg of the board of directors of the Shades held Tuesday evening, May 20, it was reported that the American Legion and the Conservation Department had failed to exercise the option for the purchase of the corporation's property. The officers were directed to proceed and notify interested timber buyers that the timber would now be offered for sale. Further steps looking toward the sale of the timber had been deferred, pending word from the American Legion as to whether or not it would undertake a program to raise funds to purchase the property and turn the same over to the Department of Conservation. Approximately 15 large timber interests will be notified immediately of the timber offer.

Indianapolis, May 27 - Gov. Gates today made an offer on behalf of the state to purchase the Shades scenic park in Montgomery County. The amount was not disclosed and Fabian Frisz, representing the owners, said it would be discussed tonight by stockholders of the park. He added that the meeting would be held at the Shades. The State Conservation Department has been attempting to purchase the park, which contains a large tract of virgin timber. The American Legion recently abandoned its plan to buy the land through a public subscription campaign and Frisz said the timber would be offered to distillery interests. Barrel staves would be made of the white oak on the tract. Governor Gates declined to discuss the negotiations which took place in his office, other than to say that "they are progessing." Within a few minutes, Frisz and Bernard Foley, Crawfordsville lawyer, representing the stockholders left the executive offices for Crawfordsville. Negotiations were resumed after Frisz said the $300,000 asked for the property had been rejected and that it would be offered for sale to timber cutters. Both the Legion and the State Conservation Department permitted options to purchase the timber land to lapse. Attending the conference in the governor's office in addition to Frisz, Foley and the governor were Attorney General Cleon H. Foust, Conservation Director John Nigh, Assistant Director Byron Kennedy, State Forester, Ralph Wilcox and Miss Ethel Frisz and J. Walter Hauck, representing members of the family.

Indianapolis, June 19 -- $300,000 fund raising campaign to "Save the Shades" was launched yesterday at a meeting of representatives of 30 civic, patriotic and business groups in the office of Governor Gates. Dates for the official campaign were set for Aug 29, opening date of the Indian State Fair, until the last of September. The 1,452-acre park was purchased by a group of Indianapolis businessmen recently to prevent its sale to whiskey barrel interests. The purchase was made with the understanding that the state would buy the tract for a state park. Governor Gates said $250,000 of the $300,000 fund would be used to buy the tract and that the remainder would be used to improve the park. "This is a tremendously worthwhile campaign and I am sure every loyal Hoosier will back it to his or her fullest financial ability," the governor said. Lawrence Wheeler, director of the Indiana University Foundation, who will direct the campaign, said the fund raising would be conducted through campaigns organized by each of the individual groups. F. Shirley WIlcox, Indiana Department of the revenue, has informed Wheeler that gifts to the fund would be deductible from the donr's taxable incomes. The state Conservation Department has announced plans to connect the Shades with Turkey Run State Park, 7 miles away with a scenic parkway.

The first public meeting in connection with the state-wide campaign to "Save the Shades" will be held in the council chamber of the city building Thursday night, Sept 4, at 7:30 p.m. it has been announced by Glen R. Maple, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Maple stated further that all organizations in Montgomery County have been invited to participate in the meeting. He also announced that all individuals interested in the project also are cordially invited to attend. The campaign for public subscriptions was launched officially at the Indiana State Fair Friday, Aug 29. The campaign director is Lawrence Wheeler of the Indiana University Foundation who asked that the first meeting in the "Save the Shades" movement be held in Crawfordsivlle. Mr. Wheeler, a leader in the state conservation work was named campaign director by Gov. Ralph Gates. Sponsored by the Indiana Department of Conservation, the campaign, which will continue through Sept 30, is entirely on a voluntary basis. The drive has been andorsed by the Hoosier Press Assocation, Civic bodies, fraternal societies and veterans' organizations. The goal is $300,000 with all money collected to be used for the purchase and developement of The SHades as Indiana's 15th State Park. A green oak leaf has been adopted by the Conservation Department as the official emblem of the public subscription campaign. All Indiana banks, it has been announced will act as collecting agencies.

In giving the plans for the meeting at the city building here, Mr. Maple pointed out it is the hope of State Conservation officials that all organizations in Montgomery County will be represented. Selection of Crawfordsville for the first public meeting in this state-wide campaign is fitting and proper. Mr. Maple stated, in as much as the Shades is located largely in Montgomery County. Arrangements for the public gathering were made at a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce directors which was attended by Mr. Wheeler.

A "kick-off" meeting of the state-wide, "Save the Shades" campaign is scheduled to be held at 7:30 o'clock tonight at the Crawfordsville municipal building. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce sponsor of the meeting here, desires to have present representatives of every county organization interested in the project. Individuals also will be welcome. Similiar meetings according to the Chamber of Commerce are being set up in every county of the state. Lawrence Wheeler, director of the Indiana University Foundation has been loaned to the state to get the campaign under way and will be present at tonight's session. Some 40 state-wide organizations have agreed to support the campaign to raise $300,000 of which $50,000 is to be spent on improvements and the balance for purchase of the resort. Arthur Baxter of Indianapolis and associates a few months ago purchased the Shades to prevent it from being sold to timber interests. The Shades is not the property of the state of Indiana and the state can make no improvements until the necessary funds are raised and the resort actually becomes state property. The park is leased by the state. There will be no organized soliciting to raise the $300,000. THe Indiana Bankers Association has agreed to place subscription tablets in Hoosier banks and accept donations to the fund.

Fifty or more interested persons representing approximately 15 organizations of the city hear Lawrence Wheeler, director of the Indiana University Foundation, explain in detail the plans to "Save the Shades," at the "kick-off" meeting of the campaign held Thursday evening in the council chamber of the city building. Mr. Wheeler outlined the three methods which will be employed throughout Indiana to raise, the goal of $300,000 deemed necessary to purchase the Shades property of 1,452 acres at the price of $250,000 and to provide $50,000 for immediate improvements. Three three methods include:

1. Personal contributions made by individuals voluntarily at banks throughout the state.

2. Person subscriptions made by individuals through interested organizations of which they are members.

3. A state-wide campaign to enlist the aid of school children making thousands of small contributions.

Mr. Wheeler prefaced his remarks with a brief recital of incidents which have led to the "Save the Shades" drive. The property is now owned, he explained, by the Arthur Baxter Foundation. It put up the required $255,000 for its purchase. When owners of the Shades offered it for sale last spring, Mr. Wheeler stated timber companies immediately evidence interest because of the hundreds of top-grade white oaks which grow in profusion along scenic Sugar Creek. It was through the Indiana Department of Conservation Mr. Wheeler said, that Governor Ralph F. Gates became interested and appealed to the public to reimburse Mr. Baxter for the cash he patriotically put up, temporarily ,to make the purchase from the Frisz heirs, thus making the first step in "Saving the Shades." 40 prominent organizations of the state attended the meeting which Governor Gates called, Mr. Wheeler said. At this meeting the Indiana State Bankers Association agreed that every member bank would provide the detailed work necessary in making it possible for any citizen to walk into a bank in "any city or town in the state and make a contribution."

The Hoosier Press Association also agreed to give hearty endorsement to the campaign through its member newspapers.

"so many have done so much" in the drive for funds. The tract of land was purchased for a state park with funds contributed by the public. The American Legion headed a campaign which raised more than $250,000 from churches, schools, civic groups, labor unions, all types of clubs, and individuals. The funds raised kept the Shades from being sold for the valuable stand of timber which served it throughout. Others on the afternoon dedication program were Bugler Joseph E. McCurdy, GLen Park Post No 214 color guard, the Indiana Legion state band, Rev. Philip C. Dermond, department chaplain and the ANderson male chorus. Relgious services wer eheld in the park pavilion in the morning with three speakers: Rev. Charles V. McSween of Terre Haute, Rabbi Albert M. Shulman of SOuth Bend and John Wuchner of Jasper, Eighth District Legion Chaplain. Rev. Wuchner delivered the morning address in place of Rev. John F. Williams of Greensburg, who became ill Saturday and was taken to a hospital. Byron Cox Post 72 of Crawfordsville also was on the morning program. Colors of the Crawfordsville post were advanced and retired at the morning service by a six-member squad commanded by Cecil Wilson, the post's sgt-at-arms. The afternoon program, previously planned at the park pavilion was transferred to the hotel lawn, adjacent in the memorial plaque, so that more persons might wintess the ceremony. The plaque, made of broze and based in Bedford stone, faces the hotel. It was viewed by thousands of persons following the ceremony. Dedicated to the veterans of all wars, it also carries the inscription, THe Shades American Legion Memorial Park.

Historical documents and other records incident to the dedication and the "Save the Shades" campaign are contained in a box beneath the base. In addition to the thousands of persons who witnessed the ceremony, other thousands heard the program over Crawfordsville's FM Station, WFMU, which conducted a one-hour broadcase of the dedicatory rites. THe broadcase which began at 2:30 p.m. was supervised by Frank Knobel, the station's manager and Ed Guillion, the station director. A public address system also was used. Officials and other members of more than 100 Legion posts attended the dedication. Colors and flags of the participating posts were massed at either side of the memorial plaque while the ceremony was in progress.

Among those in attendance were three former department commanders of the Legion, John Watkins of Bloomfield; William Brown of Bloomington; and Harold Shindler of Newburgh. A basket dinner was held during the noon hour on the hotel lawn and other sections of the grounds. Chairs and tables for the basket dinner were provided by Fabian Frisz, manager of the Shades hotel, who also served meals to several hundred persons in the hotel dining room. Gov. Gates, Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Creighton and Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Shricker were guests at the dinner.

The Shades Sunday became Indiana 15th state park, marking a climax to the "Save the Shades" campaign which raised more than $250,000 for its purchase. More than 10,000 persons turned out for the day-long celebration, which was highlighted by the presence of Gov. Ralph F. Gates, Henry F. Schricker, Democrat candidate for governor; Hubart K. Creighton, Republican gubernatorial candidate, Gilbert Gelhausen, grand chef de gare, 40 & 8; Mrs. Floyd F. Grigsby, present of the American Legion Auxiliary; Harold F. Morris, Indiana Legion Department Commander and other state and legion officials. Th epark was accepted for the state by Governor Gates who said, "We are in the beginning of the erection of a recreation area that will be known as the "Yellowstone of the Midwest." Governor Gates outlining plans for the expansion and improvement of the 1,450-acre tract, said family cabins and youth camps will be features of the new park. Plans are underway for all year use of the area by various youth groups throughout the state. Mr. Morris presented the park deed to Governor Gates and WF Brunton, former state legion commander and head of the Shades campaign, told the group .. (cont on page 7 & sorry, I didn't get it :(