Summer Information For Paoli In Indiana






Dec 2, 08

Paoli
Indiana

Hoosier National Forest

Paoli is located in southern Indiana on the edge of the Hoosier National Forest. The town's name has an unusual point of origin. It seems it was named after the governor of North Carolina's son (who had died at 12) by the Quakers who had moved there in the early 1800s seeking refuge from the slave-owning society of the South.

When the Quakers left North Carolina, they brought with them some of the slaves who had been freed. These free men and women settled on 200 acres of wooded land, which was deeded to them. The settlement was called Paddy's Garden, and it became part of the "underground railroad." A church and a cemetery were built, but only the cemetery remains today.

Outdoor Playgrounds

The Hoosier National Forest encompasses 194,000 acres of terrain and provides for a wide variety of activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can all enjoy the 200-mile network of trails. Visitors also will find camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing and sightseeing.

Patoka Lake is only a short drive away and offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors can boat, fish, water-ski, swim and sunbathe on this 8,800-acre reservoir. The lake also boasts one of the largest camp grounds in the state.

The Last Large Tract of Virgin Timber

The Indiana Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest is a 90-acre expanse of wooded land just south of Paoli. The land was originally owned by the Cox family starting in 1811. The property contains 25 different kinds of hardwood trees and 35 different varieties of shrubs and flowering plants. Now set a side as a preserve, this is said to be the last remaining large tract of virgin timber in the state. Visitors can explore the woods on foot.

Stratton Mountain Resort

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