Introduction - History and Genealogy of Lake Maxinkuckee

Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue
History & Genealogy

Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Lest we forget - - -
We also have to record today's history -
While seeking out the past...

This project was started back in September 1990 and then got put on hold for the next fifteen years. It does not seem like it was eventeen years ago I started this -

Web Site Created: 25 May 2005

Moved from Rootsweb to Genwiz.genealogenie.net 14-17 March 2008 - Becuause another has said it better than I can and gives the history of what has been gobbled up and name changes over the years:

A couple of geeky genealogists with a little free genealogy project of their own offered UsGenWeb and other genealogists unlimited free space on their new server at their domain called Rootsweb.com. Many of us jumped on this opportunity.

Fast forward a few years later and big business sees a good business opportunity and buys Rootsweb. Things go along okay for awhile and Rootsweb, gets bought and sold some more along with Broderbund/Family Treemaker/genealogy.com and Ancestry.com etc. Now we are getting into really big business with TGN aka -The Genealogy Network aka the Greed Network.

They are in the process of moving all the "Free side" of the server over to the paid side of Ancestry.com - and mixing them all together - what will come of the "Free Site" - is unknown - will they remain "Free" - or will they end up also in the "pay for" portion - no one knows - but groups such as UsGenWeb, InGenWeb and many others are getting out of "Dodge".

It is fine if you or others can pay for genealogy thats is free or not free - but I have worked hard on this site - and it is meant to be "Free" not end up on the a "paysite" where you have to pay to access it or find it - maybe I am wrong to feel this way - but I do - and I hope each of you appreciate or get something out of the hardwork that I have done - still doing - Why souhold someone else profit off of what I have done? Yet I know I can't prevent it as it can possible still be done.

and here is more on the subject which will be on-raging: controversey of them moving the Rootsweb over entirely onto Ancestry.com

Please let me know of any problems that there is getting to any of the pages - the Side Navgation and the Site map should help you move around the site and find what you want -

There has been some new things added this past week.

I have lots to do on here in the background and trying to get it up in between "freeze-ups" - I have updated the Condo/hotel pages. Also because of the "freeze-ups" during the transfer of the site to the new server there may be blank pages - this was beyond my control and I have found some of them - and have replaced them - PLEASE just kindly drop me an e-mail with the page (coping and pasting the addie out of the IE bar into the e-mail) and I will try and correct as soon as possible - also may missing links or pictures that do not show up.

I hope you enjoy the site and it's new home.
I have added the forum in hopes that input and discussion would be forth coming and a place for you to seek out information also - there has been a problem with spam on it and I had hoped this would not occur thus I have set up an authorziation code for registering: - "Vandalia" - and I hope this will solve the problem if not the board will have to be pulled I am not a happy camper over the spaming of the board - OOPS sorry over-looked this detail when switched sites - Its now in operation once again.

Maybe I have lost my original concept - maybe I have lost my mind - maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew and produce - maybe I am crazy - Any of you are welcome to tell me so!

I just hope that someone gets some use out of it, enjoys it, finds it interesting, informative and just maybe learn something they did not know about Lake Maxinkuckee and Culver - I have!.

What I am trying is to recover lost history - and I know I may have taken on a project to big for me - and lost my mind - but I love history and genealogy - so guess I am entitled to the crazy idea of recapturing - it all - If it can be. I guess I am trying to accomplish to much - I am to much a perfectionist - but David taught me that if you do it do it right - and the same way Genealogy has taught me to do it too - to collect it - to organize it and to DOCUMENT IT with all possible sources etc. I have no idea if what I am or if what I am doing is wanted or accepted - but so be it - it is a legacy to my children. step-children, grandchildren , step-grandchildren [great, great-great, & great-great-great] - a virutal history of the past and presnet in the making.

I know it is far from complete - there is a beginning, middle and of course there will be never ending - Like a family genealogy this will never end till the last cottage and cottager is non-existent. So someone will have to pick-up after I can no longer do this site but who???? I know my efforts may not be appreciated or accepted by certain people but so be it - everyone is entitled to present their views of history and preserve it the way they find it.

I have decided to turn the page up side down - so to speak - putting the search - the counter - and update - UPFRONT - as you may not want to go ahead and read - the rest of the page.

Wishes for site - a truck load of paper and ink; a laptop computer; maybe a new printer/scanner/copier [this on is 5 years old]; now more towards this site - a fist full of old lake directories and pre 1952 telephone directories, copies of abstracts of the cottages; comments from you the cottagers, more pictures..........

ATTENTION COTTAGERS - you can write up your own history for these pages - it would be most welcomed! Along with pictures, obituaries and anything else you want to contribute - PROMISE it will be up IMMEDIATELY upon arrival - not sseveral weeks later, if at all possible - large amounts may take a day or two to get up but it will be up as soon as possible.

This does not reflect the true usage of the site since it has been up as of 25 May 2005, but only since Saturday 8 April 2006.

You are our visitor -- thanks for stopping by!

So far to date I have not seen anything on the Lake and its cottages as I have planned within these pages; this is hopefully just a start. My plan was to put the history the genealogy [people] of the lake together all in one concise area - not here - there and every where in this book - that book - this map - this directory etc.

I have been trying to preserve what little knowledge David left me with - when he died on 23 Aug. 1990 - he refused to have recorded by - video, tape recorder - or written word - thus - to say the least we lost allot of Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee history whether it be - MYTH - LEGEND - FACT. Allot of others took the local history with them too - its been a on going thing for generations -

Someone has mentioned idea of book form - possibly - but still allot of work to be done - and if converted to book format - would it have to be condensed to make it feasible for publishing? Would there be supporters? Would any one buy it? With publishing it in book form as is here on the web - it would be an outrageous cost and price per copy. Plus I guess I have the wrong attitude - it is our Lake history - it should be presereved - collected in one area and in a somewhat organized way - and accessible to all. Especially since alot of the earlier history is disappearing - cottages being destroyed, replaced by new ultra modern building. For the future generations to come and for those of today. Just how does one really convert a VIRTUAL history into book form and not loose the content and quality and the accessiblity?

Now I just got to decide who will get all these files - if anyone will ever be willing to keep the format, content and carry on this project as formated - and it's purpose - a free, virtual, semi-organized history and genealogy of the lake and area - not ont scattered here there and yonder -

To quote Bob Rust from A Historical Review Grace United Chruch of Christ Culver, Indiana 1885-1985:

In the 1880's developement of lakeshore properties began. One parcel of 100 ft. frontage lots south of Maxinkuckee Landing were offered for $200 to $300 each. Earlier a 160-acre farm, South Shore, Lake Maxinkuckee brought a record price of $2.00 to S5.00 per acre. In 1906 Long Point lots were offered for & 6.00 per fron foot, and in 1921, a 65-ft. East Shore lakefront lot sold for $1,200...Lakeside homes were being built in the late 1870's...In 1919, records show that there were 146 cottages on 196 Lake Shore lots....

And as someone one wrote :

I threw out all my dad's legal stuff when he passed away in 1991 - including every detail of information about the lake cottage he'd accumulated.

Okay - I know how that goes - and hind thought one can kick ones self - You think it is no historic or genealogical value - and away it goes - so much has been lost because of it - some may never be able to be recovered - especially now since abstracts no longer exist unless by sentimental value - - now all you get is title insurance that tells you nothing of the history of the property -
It will be an ever changing site - as I refine the data within and find new. The greatest portion of this site is all up now - just for the RESEARCH, DOCUMENTATION and CORRECTIONS - Now with the site map I have my outline or index at a glance. I also have a reasearch chart or log of cottages and cottagers up to the 1922 and some for 1930; and have marked on what plat maps I found them on and also the obits & bios I have. This will better aid my research efforts too. Where do I go next ? - back to beginning to check everything out - - to the library read the old newspapers trying to find clues and facts and data to continue the quest. I wish there was some way that I could borrow of the microfim of the papers and work within the quite confines of my own computer room - I have my own microfim reader

I love history - genealogy - and what better legacy to leave my children, step children, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and step great-great grandchildren - some of the memories, tales, legends and myths - of David Boswell Burns - now hoping that memory serves me correctly - as piecing together. Thus I am remembering what he spoke of - and trying to document it all into whether it is factual or fiction - using my knowledge of history (instilled into me by Sister Vivian history instructor at Ancilla College) and my love of genealogy - thus the mixture of myth, legend, fact and history all mixed into on great big kettle - and stirred up - becomes - History and Genealogy of Lake Maxinkuckee It's Intrigue.

David sure left his mark on Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee - and his ever famous words when asked to do a job - "I'll be there Tuesday" I can hear those words today - and Leon Bennett was given back the sign he gave David with the saying on it [that was in his truck window for several years] - Gee, maybe I can use those words - about this site - SORRY - I'LL DO IT TUESDAY??????

Even if at this point in time it is unwanted by all - keyword - IT IS FREE!. I am the one loosing countless hours of sleep trying to prefect the site - presentation - wondering where the next tib-bit of information is coming from - trying to figure out how to locate and find information - and research materials for free.

This is a labor of love - not compensated by anyone - a love for the Lake - as was with David - allot of his reflections that never were written down

I welcome the the comments, legends, myths, facts of Lake Maxinkuckee - Oh how I wish I had written down much of what David told about the lake and its people - but as it is said hind site is a far better and bitter lesson learned!

One keeps asking of the mysterious lights over Lake Maxinkuckee and if anything has been said of them; or if any one has said anything of seeing them - I have never seen them - has anyone seen them? When do they appear? What are their direction of travel? Is there a theory on the mysterious lights over Lake Maxinkuckee? If so what is it?

So I am working on it...

...slowly! - - Judi

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