The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 July 1987 — Page 58

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., July 1,1987

First hotel was built in 1836

By JANE TUTTLE The first hotel in the township was kept by George Kirkpatrick in 1836. In 1848, James Hall purchased the dwelling of Samuel Crosson (Crawson) in Syracuse and converted it to a hotel. He called his hotel the Rough and Ready House. It was located on the corner of Harrison and Carroll Streets. About 1853, the Lake House was built on the corner of Main and Huntington Streets by Jacob Renfro. In 1869, H. Blanchard was the hostelry manager. The management of the Lake House passed to Alf Roberts in 1877 and to Robert and Bowld in 1879. Preston Miles was the manager in 1881. In April 1890, John Stettler reported the "safe in the hotel was blown. Nothing was taken, so the wouldbe robber apparently was frightened and ran away before

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scooping up the contents of the safe. The twice-named Lake House (located on the northeast corner of Huntington and Main Streets) was in business from 1856 to 1896. James Benner moved the building from Huntington and Main Streets, to Front Street where it is now a residence. The hotel was previously known as the Fremont House, named after a vice president of the United States. The Hotel LeGrande was constructed soon after the Lake House was moved. In 1910, Charles Estep managed the LeGrande. Harry Hire bought the restaurant and the hotel property in 1913 and this purchase resulted in several moves. Floyd Launer, the former owner, moved into a hotel located behind the Hotel LeGrande (where the present United Telephone Company is

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JONE S HOTEL — The Jone s Hotel, located at Lake Wawasee, was in operation from 1881 until it was sold in 1920. Pleasure and excursion boats were provided for guests staying in the hotel. (Photo property of H. Shoemaker)

located). The Kelly House was actually partially constructed in 1867 when an addition was built on to the Elhanan Miles’ home at 308 South Huntington Street. However, it did not become known as the Kelly House until Dr. D. C. Kelly purchased it in 1873. He built additional rooms to the southeast and converted the entire building to a hotel. In March 1879, the hotel was opened to the public and in 1882, it was the scene of a Washington Day Ball. Kelly sold to Fred Hinderer in 1891 and he improved the property by building a livery and horse barn next door to the north (present United Telephone Companyparking lot). The Kelly House and livery were purchased in 1898 by A. Nehmeyer of Chicago and Mr. Jones was the manager. For a short time, the north side of the building contained a business house, and a bowling alley was located in the rear. Mr. and Mrs. Estep of Milford managed this part of the operation. Later that year, Mr. Neff converted the entire structure into three apartment houses. Little is known of other hotels in Syracuse. The Syracuse Newspaper reported some information about three other hotels. The Holton House was located where the Pickwick Theater is now. It was mentioned in 1901 that a hotel was operated by A. M. Rarrick. The Hissel Hotel and Boardinghouse was constructed of brick from the Strombeck Brick Yard. Other notable hotels in the Syracuse area were located at Lake Wawasee. These hotels include the following: Cedar Beach Club (1887-1891) — It was the first hotel on this site on the north shore (where the Wawasee-Spink Condominiums are now located). It burned in the fall of 1891. One of the first seawalls on Wawasee was built here. Wawasee Inn (1892-1918) — It

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was built in 1892 by Colonel Eli Lilly and his associates to replace the Cedar Beach Club. After Colonel Lilly’s 'death, the inn was sold in 1899 to Clinton C. Wiggins and later to the Ballou Brothers of Chicago. In the fall of 1918, it was destroyed by fire. Spink-Wawasee — In 1925, the Spink family of Indianapolis built this hotel on the same site as the Cedar Beach Club and the Wawasee Inn. Its “heyday” was in the late 20s and 30s. Many celebrities stayed here and bigname entertainment was featured. Many of the patrons came on the train from Chicago to gamble. No locals were allowed to gamble at the SpinkWawasee It featured a full-page inside back cover ad in the 1928 Wawasee Directory and called itself The Wawasee Hotel and Country Club. Managers were Walter L. Gregory and Leonard Hicks. Vawter Park Hotel (1887-1910) — It was the first hotel on this site on the south shore (where the South Shore Condominiums are now located). John Vawter built his hotel in 1887 as part of Vawter Park Village. Dr. W. R. McGarvey of Goshen bought the hotel in 1907. It burned on May 28, 1910. The Gazelle Steamer was a popular excursion boat which belonged to the hotel. Second Vawter Park Hotel (1911-1918) — It was built in 1911 by Dr. McGarvey on the same site. While the McGarveys were operating the hotel, Mrs. McGarvey died of typhoid fever contracted from a kitchen employee. Mr. McGarvey died in 1916 and the hotel was sold to John Boyts of Goshen. A fire destroyed the structure on June / 4,1918. / South Shore Inn (1919-1964) — This beautiful building was constructed by John Boyts to replace the Vawter Park Hotel. On July 4, 1943, Boyts sold the hotel to Jap Jones. It continued in operation until October 1964, when soon after Jones had sold it, it was

destroyed by fire. It featured a full-page inside front cover ad in the 1928 Wawasee Directory. John E. Boyts was listed as manager and owner. The Tavern — It was built in Brunjes Park by Mattie Katzer, who operated it until his death. Mr. Castleman bought the hotel from the Katzer estate. In the spring of 1955 while painting was being done, the hotel caught fire and was destroyed. W. A. Johnson and Paul O. Penn have summer homes on its site. In a full-page ad in the 1928 Wawasee Directory, M. Katzer, proprietor, was listed. Home cooking and sociable informality were featured. The Sargent — It was built in the early 1900 s by Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Sargent on what is now part of the Lilly Estate. A popular promenade called Lover’s Lane connected it to the Wawasee Inn. Most of its customers came year after year with permanent reservations. The Sargents ran a tiny post office nearby with the postmark of Wawasee, Ind. In a half-page ad in the 1928 Wawasee Directory, J. M. and L. E. Sargent were listed as proprietors. Johnson’s Hotel — Charles W. Johnson built his hotel at Buttermilk Point which he purchased from the Jarretts. It was part of a Coney Island-type amusement park The complex contained a zoo, dance hall, merry-go-rounds, slot machines and an excursion boat. It was listed in a small ad in the 1928 Wawasee Directory as Johnson’s Lodge. Oakwood Hotel — The 1928 Wawasee Directory lists D. W. /Beery as thejnanager of the New Hotel Oakwood. It featured long, screened-in verandas along the water’s edge and the only cafeteria around the lake. Room rates were $1.50 to $2.50 per day, with special weekly rates. The Oakwood Hotel belongs to the United Methodist Church and is used for retreats. U-Kum-Bak Inn — This home hotel was originally operated by the parents of the late Leia Harkless. It was listed in the 1928 Wawasee Directory in a small ad. It featured home cooking and special dinners to order. It stated it was a real home for fishermen, boats and guides. Jones Hotel — Abram M. Jones owned this hotel at Jones Landing. He was noted for his fine pleasure and Excursion boats, Anna Jones I and Anna Jones 11. The Jones Landing and Inn, as it was called, operated from 1881 until it was sold in 1920. It is now the home of M. D. Umbaugh. Two other hotels mentioned in various accounts were Dittons Hotel, which began in the early 1890 s, and Lake View Hotel, which was managed by Joe Moore.