History :

In 1946, the Indianapolis YMCA under the leadership of camp committee chairman, Earl Schmidt, purchased 103 acres of land along the Flat Rock River for $16,000. That original purchase grew into a 240 acre, year-round facility called the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center.

The land was first inhabited by a group of anglos in 1820. Who owned what is still unclear. It does appear to have been land claimed by both the Shawnee and Lenape (Delaware) peoples. The first people were French/Germans from AlsaceLorraine, they named St. Omer in honor of their home town back in France. One name that stands out is the name 'Hendricks' indeed the property was still known as Hendricks Camp by at least 2 people from St. Pauls that I spoke with, they danced in the hall during the depression and war time to raise bonds