The 254-acre Pine Knob Park in northern LaGrange County includes two small lakes with undeveloped shoreline, mature forests, upland grasslands, and marshes. The park is named for former LaGrange County Parks Director Mike Metz. Four miles of disabled-friendly trails and boardwalks have been constructed. The history of this land is recorded in the minutes of two local clubs and the Pine Knob Conservation Club, which was formed together in 1947.
In 1919, Indiana Governor James Goodrich signed a bill creating the Indiana Department of Conservation. Communities in Indiana were encouraged to form local fish and game clubs. The northern LaGrange County resident founded two of his own: the Howe Fish and Game Club and the Greenfield Township Fish and Game Club.
On March 30, 1934, “a group of citizens from Howe, Indiana…gathered together for the purpose of organizing a fish and game club.” 111 people enrolled as charter members of the Howe Fish and Game Club. . Early records of its sister club, the Greenfield Township Fish and Game Club, are incomplete, but by 1940 the club had 95 members.
The first mention of the land that would become the park appeared in the minutes of the Howe Fish and Game Club meeting on July 14, 1942. In search of a wildlife sanctuary…'' The Greenfield Club met on September 20th. From the minutes, “a motion was made and passed for the club to work with the Howe Club in purchasing the old Metia Farm as a hunting preserve.”
A joint meeting of both clubs was held on April 20, 1943. A group of members negotiated a price of $600, and both clubs agreed to proceed by paying half each. By early January 1947, plans for the clubhouse were complete.
From the Greenfield Club Minutes: “The Greenfield Twp. F&G Club met with the Howe F&G Club on January 19, 1947. The main topic of discussion was plans for the club house. Accepting the trustees' plans. A motion was made and seconded.'' The next day the Howe Club met. They agreed to transfer $200 on top of the $200 from the Greenfield Club and an additional $200 from other sources.
Greenfield Club records dated January 27, 1947, record a plan to “cut logs and dig a cellar next Wednesday.” By March 31st, the club was looking for volunteers to “be on site on April 13th to stack the timbers and mark the basement.” On September 15, 1947, both clubs met to discuss finishing touches to the clubhouse.
On October 21, 1947, the Greenfield Township Club voted to merge the two clubs “as soon as the Howe Club's finances reach (equal) our finances.”
The last time both clubs met was December 15, 1947. The founding general meeting of the Pine Knob Conservation Club was held on January 19, 1948.
The Pine Knob Club continued to meet monthly, but membership declined by the late 1900s. On November 22, 2004, 77 members met to decide on the future of the club. From the minutes: “A motion was introduced by Paul Gilman to transfer the Pine Knob Conservation Club property to the LaGrange County Parks and Recreation Department.” The motion passed by a vote of 55-22.
Since then, the park has expanded to 254 acres. The LaGrange County Parks Department is finalizing the purchase of 22 more acres. The original 6-foot by 40-foot clubhouse has been renovated and is now open for public and private use. Natural areas continue to be restored and protected.
