Strawtown Koteewi Park

Strawtown Koteewi Park
Today the author visits the Strawtown Koteewi Park in Hamilton County, Indiana.
From the Book
Central Indiana Day Trips
Part of the Road Trip Indiana Series

Greetings, today we will visit the Strawtown Koteewi Park in Hamilton County, Indiana.
Strawtown Koteewi Park
Visitors to the Strawtown Koteewi Park can visit a model of an archaeological site, visit a replica Amerindian village and view artifacts recovered from the park in the Taylor Center of Natural History. Archaeologists believe the site was active from 1200-1400 A.D. Other amenities of the 800 acre park include hiking, boating, fishing, an archery range and horseback riding. Located along the White River the park offers 3 miles of riverfront recreation.

Archaeologists have determined that three different cultures occupied this area, the Western Basin Tradition, the Fort Ancient Culture and the Oneota. The Western Basin Culture, Castor Phase lived here from about 1050 to 1400 AD. The people of this culture originated in the Great Lakes region. The Fort Ancient Culture migrated in from Ohio and lived here from about 1200 to about 1450 AD. The Oneta’s village was on the other side of the river. They lived here from about 1260 to about 1440.

The Replica Amerindian Village
Visitors to the park can visit the replica Amerindian village located in the park. Structures include a community building and a house. The community building served the residents of the village a place to meet and discuss important issues facing the tribe or conduct spiritual rites. Archaeologists have found evidence of several community buildings in the area. The home was used for sleeping, storing food and preparing food as well as keeping personal items. The settlement would have been surrounded by a stockade wall and ditch for protection. The enclosure at Strawtown would have been about 100 yards in diameter.
Replica Archaeology Dig
Adjacent to the village the visitor will find a replica Archaeology dig. Informative signage at the site informs visitors the processes archaeologists use to study and excavate a site.
Taylor Center of Natural History
Visitors to the Taylor Center of Natural History will find artifacts found at the site as well as animals that would have been found in the area preserved by the art of taxidermists. A dugout canoe that was probably built in the 1960’s and found after a flood washed it out is on display as well. The canoe is representative of the craft constructed by the cultures that lived in this area.
Hiking
The park features several hiking trails, some of which are handicap accessible. Hikers can hike to nearby Cicero, Indiana on the Seven Nation Trail
Boating and Fishing
Canoeists and kayakers can launch their craft on the White River from the boat launch and anglers can fish in Koteewi Lake.
Camping
A campground is located a short distance west of the Taylor Center along the White River. The Patterson Historic Bridge allows hikers to cross the river and access the trails in the park.
Other Amenities
The park includes the Koteewi Ariel Adventure that features zip lining,
climbing and tree top adventures. Equestrians can bring their horses to ride on the trails or those without horses can rent one.

Strawtown Koteewi Park
12308 Strawtown Ave
Noblesville, IN 46060

https://www.facebook.com/INWhiteRiver/

You can find out about this, and many other fascinating places to visit in my book, Central Indiana Day Trips. It includes virtually every tourism site in central Indiana as well as information on wineries, farmers markets, drive in theaters and other places of interest in the Hoosier State. It is part of my 9 volume Road Trip Indiana Series, which covers the entire state. Listeners will find a link to the series in this podcasts description.
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