Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue
History & Genealogy

Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Lake View Club

It was the Lake View Club was the first club house built on the lake by men from Plymouth; it is was the Mc Quat Cottage on the east side, address being 2008 East Shore Dr. Being built in 1873. Located on the east bank of of Lake Maxinkuckee on the Louden T. Van Shoiack farm.

Attention was first attracted to the lake as a summer resort by the erection of a clubhouse by a few residents of Plymouth on the east shore of the lake on grounds leased of L. T. Vanschoiack. the same now being owned by Mrs. McOuat, of Indianapolis. This was in 1875. The lease was to run five years. The club house was a story and a half frame building, with sleeping apartments above, and parlor, dining room and kitchen below. It became quite a popular place of resort, and many times during the hot summer months as many as fifty persons were entertained at one time. The officers of the club were Joseph Westervelt, president; William W. Hill, treasurer, and C. H. Reeve, secretary. - History of Marshall County Indiana (1908) Daniel Mc Donald pg. 99

He also mentions of this same group:

Boating and Fishing Club

This club was organized by several Plymouth people at Maxinkuckee lake, June 15, 1875, the following being the names of the members: Joseph Westervelt, president; John R. Losey, treasurer; Charles H. Reeve, secretary; Jerry Blain, W. N. Bailey, C. R. Cooper, H. G. Thayer, William M. Kendall, William W. Hill, C. C. Buck, C. E. Toan, Horace Corbin, U. S. Dodge, T. A. Eorton, Daniel Mc Donald, Hiram V. Reed, M. W. Simons, Platt Mc Donald, A. C. Capron, N. H. Oglesbee. The club leased a piece of lake front on the east shore from L. T. Van Schoiack, on which a clubhouse was erected which was occupied for five years. It is now owned by Mrs. Mc Uat[Mc Quat], of Indianapolis, and was the first place of summer resort on the lake. - History of Marshall County Indiana (1908) Daniel Mc Donald pg. 236

In 1878 a number of those who had been instrumental in organizing this club, wishing to have something permanent and more elaborate and comfortable, purchased fifteen acres of eligible lake front on the north bank, and erected a large two-story frame building, lathed and plastered, containing a large reception and dancing room, and other conveniences. The club was furnished with a fine sailing yacht, and five sailboats and as many row- boats were owned by the individual members. The organization was named "The Lake View Club," and was composed of the following members, all residents of Plymouth: William W. Hill, Nathan H. Oglesbee, Henry C. Thayer, Chester C. Buck, Joseph Westervelt, Charles E. Toan, Horace Corbin and Daniel McDonald. - History of Marshall County Indiana (1908) Daniel Mc Donald pg. 100

Daniel Mc Donald in his book "An Early History of Lake Maxinkuckee" again gives the ones as forming the Lake View Club in 1878 as: W.W. Hill, N. H. Oglesbee, H. G. Thayer, C. C. Buck, C. E. Toan, Horace Corbin, Daniel Mc Donald and also Joseph Westevelt.

By 1905 the wives of Horace Corbin, C. C. Buck, Joseph Westervelt and N. H. Oglesbee were deceased.

They later purchased 15 acres up on the north shore and built a large club house and 6 cottages for guests [another says there were two cottages and six wooden-floored tents that along what became known as the Indian Trail]. The main building - the rooms consisted of: dining, kitchen, reception rooms downstairs with 8 rooms for the families. It was in existence for about eighteen years - Altogether there were eight families who comprised the Lake View Club.

By Mc Donald in his book "An Early History of Lake Maxinkuckee":

After the summer resorters began to come to the lake in the '80s, and especially after the completion of the Vandalia railroad their receptions and dances during the seasons were considered the finest given about the lake and were always largely attended. The club did much to popularize the lake and bring it into general notoriety, and in its dissolution left pleasant memories among the many who enjoyed its hospitality.

Of the group it is said:

Within a few years each of these members, except Mr. Westervelt, erected comfortable cottages in which they made their omes during the summer seasons, all taking their meals at the club house. In 1890, owing to business reverses of some of the members, it became necessary to disband the club and dispose of the property, which was done, the Vandalia railroad company purchasing it for $16,000. - History of Marshall County Indiana (1908) Daniel Mc Donald pg. 100

Lake View Club members and wives left to right: Capt. Ed Morris, Mr. Toan, Mrs. Corbin, Walter Oglesbee, Jessie Toan, Ed Corbin, Mrs. C. C. Buck, Judge Corbin, Mrs. Toan, Mrs. Mary E. Thayer, Mrs. Westervelt, Kittie Mc Donald, C. c. buck and Joseph Westervelt.

C. C. Buck & Joseph Westervelt sitting on porch of Plymouth Club.

C. C. Buck is to be the man in the chair in the center of the picture. He was a banker and hardware dealer. His firm failed in the depression of 1893.

The caption on the above photo from the Marshall County Historical Museum describes it as being a location on the west side of Lake Maxinkuckee "near the Plymouth Club House" in the late 1800s. This could be the Capt. Morris Boat house area below is an enlarged secton of the one postcard of the Morris boat house - compare the resembelance of the front porch.

It could also possibly be the bath house that sat on the very east end of the park.

1890 - Found in the 1890 Annual report is:

$730.81 expended on the grounds at Marmont and $ 271.33 expended in repairing the Club House and cottages at same place. pg. 36 Forty-Third annual Report of the President and Directors of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Rail Road Company to the Stockholders for the Year Ending November 30 1890 By Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company

The exact date of the sale has been found and is recorded as follows:

The Vandalia Company has purchased the Plymouth Club house and grounds at Lake Maxinkuckee. The tract of ground contains eight acres and is the most desirable property at the lake. - Logansport Pharos April 23, 1891

The T. H. and L. division of the Vandalia will hereafter have much better facilities at Lake Maxinkuckee than in the past, the company having bought out the property of the Plymouth Club at the head of the lake. There are fifteen acres in the tract which includes the beautiful bluff so much admired by all visitors. The consideration was $16,000. - Logansport Reporter April 24, 1891

1891 - In the Annual Report for 1891 is found:
Included in the expense of conducting transportationthe sum of

$120.71 for repairing club house and cottages at Marmont.

1892 - The Annual report for 1892 :

The water tank at Marmont raised to furnish sufficient pressure for the hotel the expense $830.30. pg. 39 Forty-fifth Annual Report of the President and Directors of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Rail Road Company to the Stockholders for the Year Ending November 30 ... By Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company

1893 - The Annual report for 1893 :
The expense of the improvement to the hotel at Marmont is shown below:

Engineer, plans etc. $103.86

Moving building, foundation etc. 476.00

Piping, water and sewer 230.07

Stairs, platforms, boat house and piers 263.57

Smead Dry Closets (contract) 300.00

Building and painting 5 ,304.51

$6.678.01

The cost of this improvement was charged to Lease account.

pg. 41 Forty-fifth Annual Report of the of the President and Directors of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Railroad Company to the Stockholders for the Year Ending November 30 1893 By Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company

As late as the 1896 it was still be referred to as the "Plymouth Club" as evidence by a quip I found in another newspaper as follows:

Chesterton Tribune 29 Apr. 1896 - The Northern Indiana Editorial Assoc. will met at Maxinkuckee Lake on Thurs. & Fri. July 10 & 11th 1896 at the Plymouth Clubhouse in annual session. This assoc. includes all of the towns located north of the Wabash river.

It became the Lake View Hotel and property of the Vandalia R.R. being purchase by in 1894/5 and another sources says 1890 and was bought for $16,000. On the 1898 Plat Map (wall version) the lot is listed as "T.H. & I. RR [Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad] Lake View Club".

Also by the looks of the pictures - extensive remodeling and expansion of the Plymouth Club house or Lakeview Club was done after the railroad had purchased the property. and by the following the old clubhuse probably was torn down and a new hotel was erected:

Steps are being taken by the Vandalia railroad company to erect one of the finest hotels in this part of the state. It is to occupy the present sire of the Lake View and is to contain 150 rooms.- [Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 12, 1906]

Home | Contact | Site Map | Forum