Old Northwest Loop

Indiana’s Revolutionary Story

America250 Challenge

Step into the grit that shaped the Hoosier frontier. Before a handful of those sympathetic to the American cause took on Vincennes, the Western Liberty Bell rang at the British‑held frontier post of Kaskaskia, — clearing the way for a brutal 180‑mile push through floodwaters, cold, dwindling supplies — conditions a letter to George Mason described as “forlorn hope.”

Now it’s your turn.

Run it. Walk it Ruck it. Race it. Honor a march that helped shape Indiana and the good old US of A.

Celebrate 250 YEARS the south of the glacial line Hoosier way- over hills, knobs, and karst terrain!

July 4th: The Western Liberty Bell

On July 4, 1778, Clark approached Kaskaskia expecting a street fight. Instead, the parish church bell rang out in welcome — later remembered as the Western Liberty Bell. This peaceful victory launched a heroic overland campaign that would define our state's Revolutionary War legacy.

The Hard March to Vincennes

They slogged and canoed through waist‑deep water, icy winds, and days without food, averaging 25–30 miles a day. Captain Bowman wrote that the land was “in many parts flowing with water” and that “Many of the men [were] much cast down… No provisions of any sort… "hard fortune!”

Yet they pressed on.

Your Call to Action

Two hundred fifty years later, the frontier spirit still calls. The march still echoes.

Join the Civpark America250 Challenge

Call 812-340-5210 to schedule.

The challenge begins at the park and follows a large loop that includes biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing,-- ending with a short ruck back to the park with the weight of your choice.

$30-45. Everything you need. One unforgettable challenge.

This program is our contribution to the National Semiquincentennial celebration.

Old Northwest Loop

Indiana’s Revolutionary Story II

America250 Challenge

Step into the grit that shaped the Hoosier frontier. Before statehood, as tensions with Britain grew over many grievances, not the least of which was the assumption that Britain was arming indigenous groups to go after settlers, an indigenous man named Tecumseh moved to halt the rapid expansion of the United States into their land by creating a confederacy of Native American nations. He created Prophetstown, named after his brother as its capital, and went to strengthen their new nation by recruiting warriors from otherTribes.

The governor of the Indiana Territory, soon-to-be President William Henry Harrison, led a small band of 1,000 militia to burn Prophetstown and destroy the rebellion. As they arrived, Prophetstown raised a white flag and asked for a ceasefire as Tecumseh was not there. Harrison agreed and retreated to a nearby hill where he set himself in a defensive position. That night, Tecumseh's brother, Tenskwatawa, the Prophet, roused his troops to attack the American army preemptively from a rock outcropping you can still go sit on today.

They ambushed the Americans in the morning and were then defeated. William Henry Harrison torched Prophetstown, and when Tecumseh returned, he realized what had happened. This led the indigenous people to believe that their only hope for Freedom lay with the British. This would soon be called the Battle of Tippecanoe and is credited as the first battle of the War of 1812.

Now it’s your turn.

Celebrate 250 YEARS the south of the glacial line Hoosier way- over hills, knobs, and karst terrain while on the Hoosier Frontier Trail!

Call 812-340-5210 to schedule.

Stations: tomahawk, sling, atlatl, bolas, spear, plinking, fire(striker/friction), archery, melee

$10. Everything you need. One unforgettable challenge.

This program is our contribution to the National Semiquincentennial celebration.