The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-16
WAWASEE.,
3 Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WAWASEE. Ind. Aug. 15.-The history
and the naming of Lake Wawasee is
perhaps the quaintest of all the numerous
lakes in Indiana. 1t was long. long ago
that the ~Pottawatomies, a very thriving
tribe OF Indians. first built their wigwams
on the shores of Turkey lake because. after
wandering all around what is now northern
Indiana, they found this lake TO be the
largest and the land surrounding best for
their manner OF cultivation. Perhaps they
did not care for the scenery, since they
were red men. nevertheless they certainly
chose a most beautiful spot for their home.
The name of Wawasee was given to the
lake by the Indians. who. In their imagi-
nation, saw the lake with its irregular
banks in the shape OF a turkey.
1t was in the early '40's that the first
settlement of white men dotted the shores
of Wawasee and the name of Turkey lake
(the English of Wawaseel. was given to
this small body of water. In the course
of a few months or probably a year several
hewn log cabins were built, and as the
number of Pottawatomies slowly decreased
the wigwams disappeared until but a
small family remained on the reservation at
Indian village, about two miles southeast
VI IN ldkt- AS CIVILIZATION nuSneO them
westward. it was only a few years till the
red men and their wigwanrs were forgotten,
nothing but their burial grounds and tradt
tions, with which we are all familiar. re-
naming. The white settlers, after building
their cabins, began the cultivation of the
land. and as the people prospered and ad-
vanced, more modern dwellings were
erected until at present the shore is dotted
with hotels and summer cottages belong
ing to the city people, who are glad to get
a summer outing on the peaceful banks Of
Wawasee.
At present there are five hotels on the
lake-Jones and Wawasee Inn on the north
east side. Mineral Park at the east end and
Vawter Park and Iakeview on the south.
beautiful cottages. where one is satisfied
the whole summer lounging on the wide
~verandas. s~trolling along the beach or row
ing on the waters CLASSY surface.
Probably some people spend summer
after summer on the lake. never thinking
of its history unless they stop at Butter
milk Point" where there is a quaint old
spring house, or at Pickwick Park, where
now stands on the point Grandpa" Lambs
cabin. Although 1t is whitewashed on the
outside and has modern furnishings, IL
takes one back many. years, If. when pass
ing, they see "Grandpa"-as he is known
to everybody-sitting on the front stoop In
perfect contentment, smoking his old clay
pipe or talking to the swarm Of children
that hover around him always ready to
hear one of his stories.
Mr.. MORRISON. one of the oldest residents
around the lake. sold mis- island of about
forty-seyen acres at the east end of the
lake and left this week for California.
The ground will be surveyed and laid out
In lots. The island. known as Morrison's
island. will, 1T is thought. make one of the
most beautiful building points on the lake.
The Young Peoples Alliance are holding
their twelfth annual convention at lakewood
park this week. The crowd is increasing
every day, and the meeting Is considered
the best of its kind ever held at lakewood.
An excursion of 800 people from Sherwood
and Tiffin, O.. spent Thursday at the lake,
enjoying a trip around the lake on one of
the numereuos steamers and a picnic din
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.
A house party, consisting mostly Of
Goshen people. are enjoying a week at the
Keith cottage, near Jones landing.
Miss Stauffer, of Pickwick Park. gave a
delightful watermelon party Tuesday after
noon on her fathers steamer, the Ameri-
can Girl. indianapolis people in the party
were the Misses Meyers and Pursell, and
the Misses Cornelius, Steffen and Neussel.
Miss Edith Gunn, Of st. Louis, who has
been visiting Bess Coppes at Pickwick
Park, has gone on an extended visit to
Huntington, Ind. Miss Copies accompanied
her friend.
Mr.. Neussel, of indianapolis, is spending
this week at the lake.
Mr.. Davis, of Greensburg, registered at
the Inn Wednesday evening.
Mrs. Beard and daughter are spending a
fortnight at Vawter Park.
Mrs. Harding and family Of Indianapolis.
are located in their cottage, near Vawter
Park, for the remainder of the season.
Mr.. Silver and wife, of Goshen, are en-
joying the week in the Dangler cottage at
Mr.. and Mrs. Maxwell, Of indianapolis,
are enjoying themselves in their cottage on
the south side of the lake.
AIocgrC Stefan nnd Cnrna1frrC ~ InAf1r-
apolis, are registered at the Inn.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Strohm. Of Chicago,
are spending the week with John Coppes
and family at Pickwick Park.
Mrs. Wade, of Kendallville, is the guest
of her sister, Mrs. Zook, at her cottage in
Mrs. Myers and daughter have returned