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Vinegar Mill State Park was adopted as Indiana's fourth state park in 1921. The Park was named after the early pioneer stone cutting mill located on the banks of the Muscatatuck River.
The name of the park was changed the next year to Muscatatuck State Park. During the park's early history many amenities were added. The park adopted the William Read Home as a bed and breakfast type inn. The state park inn also hosted meals for cabins that were located in the general vicinity. Many reports convey the popularity of the inn and its home cooked meals.
During this same time period the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked together to build many structures throughout the park.
The workers built the main road leading into the park. They also built bridges, a fire tower and the stone steps at the river overlook area, the Vinegar Mill. Two stone shelters with fire places were also built in this era.
For years the Muscatatuck State Park was a popular destination for visitors. The park was small though and had never charged admission. In 1956 the state reevaluated the facility and decided to use the grounds for its quail and pheasant raising operations. The state created a species re-introduction program that was dropped after 6 years. Biologists warned the state, but regional hunting groups seemed to carry more clout. There are oak barn structures that were built during this era still at the facility.
The state then adopted the park for its Youth Camp initiative in 1962. The state and Gov. Welsh were creating camps specifically for youth. The Muscatatuck Park was the third in this initiative. The first two were for convicted youth, but the Muscatatuck Park camp was to be used by the general public.
Sources reveal that the state was evaluating the park for upgrades during the mid-sixties. After subsequent studies the state opted for not upgrading the park and had a plan to give the park back to the county of Jennings. The park was almost not adopted by the county. After much discussion amongst the local community, they eventually pulled together to manage the facility. In 1967 the Jennings County Parks and Recreation Board was created, and in 1968 the governor signed a bill giving the grounds back to the county to be forever used for recreation.
GPS Location: 38°59'23.1"N 85°37'02.8"W