Podcast – Obannon Woods, Wyandotte Cave and Squire Boone

Obannon Woods, Wyandotte Cave and Squire Boone
Last week we visited Corydon, Indiana’s second capital. Today we visit three other destinations in Harrison County, O’Bannon State Park, Wyandotte Cave and Squire Boone’s cavern and village.
From the Book:
South Central Indiana Day

Transcript:

Greetngs

Last week we visited Corydon, Indiana’s second capital. Today we visit three other destinations in Harrison County, O’Bannon State Park, Wyandotte Cave and Squire Boone’s cavern and village.

Before getting started, I would encourage you to subscribe to the Mossy Feet Books You Tube channel for more great content. I also entreat you to visit my website, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. There you will find sample chapters, podcasts, a slew of content and links to where you can buy my books. While visiting the web site you can subscribe to it and receive email notifications of when I publish a new book or other content, like this video and podcast. You can also subscribe to the Mossy Feet Books You Tube Channel to ensure you do not miss any of my content. This episode is based on my book, Southeast Indiana Road Trips. The book is the first book in the 9 volume Road Trip Indiana Series. The books include all the historical markers, as of 2022, in Indiana with the text and back story. The books also include a nearly complete listing of virtually every tourism destination in the state. The destinations include parks, museums, drive in theaters, bowling alleys, wineries and much, much more.
You can find my books locally at the Walnut Street Variety Shop in Batesville, Indiana.

the 2294-acre O’Bannon Woods State Park boasts a variety of activities. Formerly Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area, the DNR changed the name to honor Gov. Frank O’Bannon. The former Indiana governor’s family lives and the area and has been active preserving local natural resources. Hikers will find over eleven miles of trails. Equestrians may ride their mounts over eighty miles of trails. Cave enthusiasts can explore the dark regions of Wyandotte Caves. This cave complex includes two separate cave systems – Sibert and The Big Cave. The Nature Center features a restored pioneer homestead with an operating hay press. Picnic facilities, scattered throughout the park, feature nine shelters. The Blue River provides access to the Ohio River and serves as a route for canoeists and other boaters.
Inn:
Camping facilities at O’Bannon include 234 site full electric campground as well as primitive and group camping and a Horseman’s campground.

Hay Press Barn/1830’s Pioneer Homestead
Located near Hickory Hollow Nature Center, the Hay Press Barn is a working replica of an 1830’s hay press and is part of a restored pioneer homestead. During the summer months oxen power the hay press. The 1830s farmstead depicts life as it was when the area was first settled. The Nature Center has extensive exhibits and a bird viewing area.
Wyandotte Caves
Wyandotte Caves are within the confines of the State Park. Sibert Cave is open from March 1 through October 31 and is the smaller of the two caves. It has many beautiful formations. The Big Cave is open May 1 – September 30. (812) 738-8232 for current information.
Contact Information:
O’Bannon Woods State Park
7234 Old Forest Road SW
Corydon, IN 47112
(812) 738-8232
Squire Boone Caverns & Village
Daniel Boone’s younger brother Squire spent his last years in Harrison County.
Squire Boone (October 5, 1744 – August 5, 1815)
A native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Squire was the son of Squire Boone Sr. and his wife Sarah (Morgan) Boone. His older brother is Daniel Boone, famous frontiersman. The brothers shared many harrowing adventures on the frontiers of Kentucky and to a lesser degree, Indiana. Squire, though less well known, was almost as accomplished as his elder brother was. When Squire was four the family moved to Rowan County, North Carolina. Squire’s cousin Samuel Boone took him on as a gun maker apprentice in 1759. He returned to North Carolina and married Jane Van Cleave, with whom he would have five children. During the years 1767 through 1771, he and brother Daniel explored the Kentucky frontier, hunting and trapping in that vast, virtually unknown land.
Kentucky Years
He and Daniel established the settlement at Boonsboro, which the Shawnee Indians besieged during the American Revolution. A rifle ball struck Squire in the shoulder, and it had to be cut out. After the siege, Squire moved to the Falls of the Ohio region in Kentucky. In 1780, he founded Squire Boone’s Station, the first permanent settlement in Shelby County Kentucky. An Amerindian force attacked the settlement and Squire was wounded again. This wound resulted in his right arm being an inch and a half shorter than his left arm. He served two terms in the Virginia legislature, after which he attempted a settlement at on the Mississippi River. This failed and he moved to Harrison County, Indiana around 1804. He was familiar with this area as he and his brother had hunted it in the 1780’s. The brothers had discovered a cave in the area while hunting. In 1790, Squire hid in the cave while fleeing a band of Amerindian warriors. It was the land that this cave was on that he purchased. he believed that, since the cave had saved his life, it was a holy site. He established a settlement in the area, near present day Maukport, and built a gristmill.
At his death, he wished to be buried in the cave that had saved his life, and that is where he lies.
Squire Boone Caverns & Village
Squire Boone Caverns & Village preserves the legacy of Squire Boone with its restored pioneer village, gristmill and the cave that houses the grave of Squire Boone. For more information, contact:
Squire Boone Caverns & Village
100 Squire Boone Rd, Mauckport, IN 47142
spelunk@squireboone.com
812-732-4381

The episode is based upon my book, Southeast Indiana Day Trips, available on the web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. The book is the first book in the 9 volume Road Trip Indiana Series. The books include information about the parks, museums, historic sites and many other day trip destination across the state. I encourage you to visit the web site and subscribe to it.
I hope you enjoyed this podcast and thank you for listening.