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Artist's Oasis: Two Acres Saved from Steel Giant
10 Aug
Summary
- A couple refused $25,000 to protect their two-acre dune sanctuary.
- Their land became an island surrounded by a massive steel complex.
- This stand inspired the creation of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
In the mid-20th century, a World War II veteran and artist, John Samuel Hawkinson Jr., purchased two acres of land in northern Indiana's Central Dunes in 1950 for $400. He and his wife, Lucy, built a cabin on the property, which became a cherished retreat.
Their commitment to preserving their natural haven grew as industrial development encroached. In 1962, Bethlehem Steel offered the Hawkinsons $25,000 for their land, which was slated for a massive industrial harbor. The couple, active members of the Save the Dunes Council, steadfastly refused the offer.
While other landowners sold, the Hawkinsons held firm, preserving the last privately owned parcel of natural dunes intended for the Port of Indiana. Legal action by Hawkinson ensured an access right-of-way to their property, creating 'Hawk's Island,' a two-acre sanctuary encircled by industrial facilities by the late 1960s.
Despite ongoing construction nearby, Hawkinson continued to use his land as an outdoor classroom, educating youth groups about nature. The stark contrast between Hawk's Island and its industrial surroundings became a powerful symbol for the regional environmental movement, drawing attention to the degradation of Lake Michigan's shoreline.
The persistent conservation efforts surrounding Hawk's Island and the broader Central Dunes helped garner support for federal protection. In late 1966, Congress authorized the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, safeguarding significant portions of the landscape and honoring the impact of citizens like John Samuel Hawkinson Jr.
