Spring Mill Village Trail

This is a trail to a cave, through a pioneer village, and to a pioneer cemetery. There are eight hiking trails in 1,319-acre Spring Mill State Park, including Trail 4, the Spring Mill Village Trail. History is the overriding theme of this trail, beginning with its most dynamic natural feature— Donaldson Cave. Known as Shawnee Cave until George Donaldson purchased the area in 1865, the cave is part of a network that includes two other exposed caves in the park. Professor Carl Eigenmann of Indiana University began extensive studies of Donaldson Cave at the turn of the century and discovered the northern blind cavefish, which has been placed on the state endangered species list. The pinkish white fish with no eyes has adapted to the dark cave, as have other critters—the blind cave crayfish, the cave salamander, assorted spiders, and, of course, bats. Special Attractions: Donaldson Cave, Spring Mill Pioneer Village, and Hamer Pioneer Cemetery.