Versailles State Park

Infobox Protected area
name = Versailles State Park
iucn_category = V


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location = Indiana, USA
nearest_city = Versailles, Indiana
lat_degrees=39 |lat_minutes=07 |lat_seconds=00 |lat_direction= N
long_degrees=85 |long_minutes=22 |long_seconds=00 |long_direction=W
area = 5988 acres
established = 1943
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governing_body = Indiana DNR
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Versailles (pronounced locally as "ver-SAYLES") is a Indiana state park, by the town of Versailles, Indiana. The land was given by the National Park Service for use as a state park to Indiana's Department of Conservation in 1943. [http://www.in.gov/dnr/history/ Official (Indiana) DNR Historical Timeline]

In the early 20th century, the area was farmland. In the 1930s, the National Park Service acquired the land, and hired the CCC to improve the land into a Recreational Demonstration Area. The convert|230|acre|km2|sing=on Versailles Lake was formed in 1954 when a dam was built across Laughery Creek.

, the Busching covered bridge, crosses the creek. This Howe truss bridge was constructed in 1885, is convert|176|ft|m long, and although within the state park, Ripley county owns it. A group camp, originally constructed by the CCC, is available for use as well. Swimming isn't allowed in Versailles Lake, but a 25 meter pool is available.

References

"My Indiana:101 Places to See", by Earl L. Conn (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2006). pg. 168-9.
* [http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/park_versailles.html Official web page]