9/22/2014 Everglades of the North, Part 2

Many of you have seen the PBS documentary Everglades of the North on Channel 34 or some other PBS station, a wonderful and great video production about one of the largest marshes in the world.  It was located right here in Starke County.   Well, it went a little farther than just Starke County - it went from South Bend, IN. to Momence, IL.   That's why it was called "one of the largest" -  perhaps over a million acres.  And much of Starke County was in it.

Example of the size of it -- If you wanted to go to Valparaiso from Logansport, you would have to go to South Bend to get around the marsh.  Or you would have to go to Kankakee, IL. to get around it.  The marsh was huge!

Now, when they produced the original Everglades of the North, a second part to that video was also produced - a part two.   Many of the interviews in part two were done here in Starke County.  This brings a whole new dimension to the main program.  If you enjoyed the first part of the Everglades of the North, I'm sure that you will enjoy part two.  If you haven't seen the first part, we do have a few videos available.

On September 22, 2014, at 5:00 P.M., Ron Vendl and I will bring you the part two video of  Everglades of the North, a 45-minute extension to the first part.  It will be held at the Henry F. Schricker Library in Knox.

I hope you can join us.  But remember, space is limited, so make your reservations by calling the Library at 574-772-7323.

Jim Shilling
Starke County Historical Society

http://www.starkehistory.com
http://www.scpl.lib.in.us/historical/

Starke Co. North Marshland as Seen Through the Life of A Frontiersman

Starke County Everglades of the North Marshland as Seen Through the Life of a Frontiersman,  PRESENTED BY DAVE ALTMAN, HISTORICAL NARRATOR on Thursday, February 14th from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m at the Henry F. Schricker Library in Knox

Dave Altman, retired North Judson teacher and a historical narrator for 17 years traveling throughout Indiana speaking at schools & organizations, will present a program for us about the role Starke County played in the largest marshland of northwest Indiana.  As Simon Kenton, the famous frontiersman, he will be giving his thoughts on the Grand Kankakee Marsh during the settling of Indiana in the early 1800s.  Kenton served as a scout on the famous 1778  George Rogers Clark expedition to capture Fort Sackville and also fought with  "Mad" Anthony Wayne in the  Northwest Indian War in 1793-94.

This will be a most intriguing program and you will not want to miss it. This program is for children, teenagers and adults. Please sign up by Feb. 13, at 574-772-7323.

1/23/2013 Discussion of "Everglades of the North"

On Wednesday, January 23, 2013, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., the Henry F. Schricker Library in Knox will be hosting a panel discussion on the Grand Kankakee Marsh - its history and its future.  

Jody Melton—Executive Director of the Kankakee River Basin Commission, Pat Wisniewski and Jeff Manes—producers of the Everglades of the North, and Jim Shilling—Starke County Historical Society - will speak about the fascinating history and future of the Grand Kankakee.

1/16/2013 "Everglades of the North " @ Henry F. Schricker Library

The Starke County Public Library is proud to present Everglades of the North, produced by Pat Wisniewski, Jeff Manes, Brian Kallies and Tom Desch.  The Library will be showing the documentary  Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.in the meeting room at the Henry F. Schricker Library in Knox.

This one-hour documentary tells the history of the Grand Kankakee Marsh and how people have used and perceived this wetland for more than 10,000 years.  The Grand Kankakee Marsh may have been as large as one million acres in northern Indiana and Illinois and was home to some of the highest concentrations of wildlife and waterfowl in North America.  Less than 5% of the Kankakee River marshes survived modern development an the film explores the important role this wetland played in the history of the area.  It looks at the natural and cultural history of the area and the different uses of the land from the earliest Native Americans to the European settlement to modern agriculture.