The land now occupied by Barton Lake Jellystone Park Camp Resort was original homesteaded by Barton Collins in 1860. Barton was Roger Barry's great-great-great grandfather and the lake was named in honor of him. The home and barns were located on Indiana SR 120, the original road from Toledo to Chicago.
In 1965 Roger and Anna decided to start a little sideline to go along with the greenhouse business that they were in partnership with Roger's parents. However, the campground was set back one year due to the Palm Sunday tornado that took 25 giant Oak trees in the park.
They did open unofficially for business Memorial Day of 1966 with approximately 20 campers, no electric and only a pitcher pump for water. David had just turned 4 years old, Andy was almost 2 and Julie arrived later in December of '67. The Barry Family spent the summers in a 10x50 mobile home with an add on porch that served as an office. The rates then were $1.75 for primitive and $2.25 with electric.
During the growth years of the park, the family made their living through the greenhouse business and kept developing the park as time and monies were available. In 1978 the Ranger Station was built, gates were added and the family moved into a new used mobile home across from the Ranger Station. The family joined the Yogi Bear Franchise System in 1980 and the house in the park was built in 1982.
David and Julia joined the management team in 1987, Tim and Julie came on board in 1990 and Andy joined in 2006. It's nice that the grand kids are getting old enough to help out too.
Major changes took place in 2005-06, creating 60 new W/E/S sites (600's), 15 new deluxe cottages, new water playground and activity pool, new registration/office building and new entrance. We still have the "Spookwalk" area to develop someday.
This resort has many people to thank and would not be where it is today without the many, many valuable employees and great guests we have had through the years. We are also very indebted to our parents who have been such an asset to us in all of our endeavors.
Roger & Anna Barry
