1207 East Shore Dr. - Fairview

Section 22 - ? acres Nesswagh-ee Reservation

Section 22 Section 22 Lot 1 - 37.70A; 40 Section: 22 Lot 2 - 45.45A Section 22 Lot 3 - 32.00A Section 22 Lot 4 - 35.70A

1872 Plat Map Section 22 Lot 1 - 37.32 - G. Peeples Lot 2 - 45.45A S & J. W Rector Lot 3 32A - S. Rctor S & J W Rector - 40A A Smith - 80A 3.90A - A W B .97? - D J 159A - J. C. Miles a part in Sec. 23- A Bartholomew 35.70A

1876 Plat Map Section 22 J C Miles - 158A

1880 Plat Map Section 22 Platted cottage lots G. Peeples 35.5A Rector & Thomas 85A & 32A H. B. Scott 34.50A

Good evening. I came upon your website on Lake Maxinkuckee, and found it very fascinating. My grandparents used to own a large cottage, set up on a hill overlooking the lake, on East Shore Drive.

It actually bordered the Bird Sanctuary.

My grandfather's name was Sidney Cressy, and he called our cottage "Fairview"

There was a huge wrap-around, screened-in porch on the front, with a split-rail fence along the edge of our property near the street.

Since Ginnie does say EAST SHORE DRIVE - and bordered the Bird Sanctuary this a map shows the location of the Bird sanctuary; so if it was set up on a hill overlooking the lake, on East Shore Drive. it could not have bordered the Bird sanctuary as stated since this was all academy property for several years and it was located at the approximate area where East Shore Road (St Rd. 117) intersected with State Raod 10 to the North. The location had to be further south on East Shore Road.

I believe my grandfather purchased this home from a former ambassador to Mexico.

Just found a clue (19 March 2007) Henry Lane Wilson married Alice Vagen d/o John Henry Vagen was ambassodor to Mexico in 1913 - Could this of been his cottage????

A cottage reported to be built after 5 April 1906 by J. O. Frerrier are: Vagen cottage at a cost of $2500-3000...

This discription of the new cottage was found in the 21 jun. 1906 Citizen This makes it sounds as if the main cottage still could of been "across the road"

Fine Lake Cottage

Contractor M. R. Cline of Maxinkucee has completed a $3,000 cottage on the east side for J. H. Vajen, a wealthy retired manufacturer who is now traveling in Europe.

The main part of the cottage is 21 by 42 with a projection 12 by 17 fet.

The form of the house is in three gables.

There are 12 rooms, all finished , even to the ceilings, in oiled southern pine.

There is a veranda 10 feet wide around three sides of the house

In additon to the house Mr. Cline has built a boat house 14 by 16 feet with a basement for the boats, a kitchen and bedroom on the first floor and two bedrooms above.

J. H. Vajen has opened his new cottage, Fair View for the summer- June 27, 1907 Culver Citizen

But if this is the Vagen "Fairview" it would be South of the Culver Homestead - not north of it. This would be part of the Marmon & Perry's properties - and if so this is a start of the history -

In 1898 - J. & A. Vajen owned a lakefront lot [John Henry Vagen] and also as J. H. and A. Valin owned 5.73A across the road

The Vajens loaned it to the Hoosier novelist Booth Tarkington and his wife Laurel Fletcher in 1902.

1908 -Lot #2 - John H. Vagen. 1904 - Sep. 1912 Alfred M. Ogle 1913 - Apr 17 - C. C. Perry of Indianapolus has got out plans for a fine cottage to be erected on the old Ogle Place on the east side. Sep. 1912 1/2 Lot # 2 - Charles C. Perry Sep. 1912 1/2 Lot # 2 Elizabeth Marmon 1908 - Lot 5 - the location of the new "Fairview"

1922 - Lot 2 1922 - E. Marmon [Elizabeth C. Marmon] 1922 on east side of St. Rd. 117 - Elizaberh Marmon 12.27a 1922 - Lot 5 - Chas. C. and C. A. Perry - - the location of the new "Fairwinds"

This description is found of Fariview in the 20 Jul 1911 Citizen Fairview is one of the few cottages located back from the lake. It is situated on a hill ACROSS the road and north of the Rector hotel and in a 5.70- acre tract.

Below is the location tho stated the tract is 5.73A

1898

1908

1922

Thus "Fairview" did sit across the road and the "cottage across the road" and was still refered to as "Fairview" and indeed was eventually tore down in later years sometime after the 1960's as stated below.

The old Vajen/Fairview properties today - the blue of course is the lakefront lot bearing the address of 1206 E Shore Drive and the yellow is the orginal cottage site of 5.73A or 5.70A which is down to 5.64A; and both are listed under the Hollyhill Investors LLC; the North south portion of 3 parcels were acquired after the Vajen era by whom ever and are now also a part of the Hollyhill Investors LLC land holdings.

1958 Lake Directory - Sid A. Cressy East 1207, - 1910 S. Michigan St., South Bend, lnd.

1207 East Shore Dr.

In the 1960 phone book Sid Cressy is listed as being at 1207 East Shore Dr; this address does not exist today and also an "ODD" number placing it on the non-lake side.

Somewhere in the 60's it was sold to someone who lived on the lake directly a cross the street from us. Unfortunately our place has since been torn down. This "cottage" was where my family (I'm one of eleven children) spent most of our summers and still holds many fond memories for my family and many cousins.

This ad appeared under Real Estate for Sale in the Citizen of 19 Jul 1961 is found: Overlooking Lake Maxinkuckee: Lovely spacious six bedroom home, living room 15X32, fireplace, large modern kitchen and bath, automatic heat. Partly furnished on six wooded acres with winding creek. One and one-half mile south of State Road 10 of East shore Road (117). See G. S. Cressy, South Bend, AT 7-2327 or S. J. Rossa VI 2-2131, Culver. This land wise fits this parcel of land "on six wooded acres with winding creek" - there is a winding creek in tha back of the lot it is on today 5.64A which in rounded figures would be considerd 6A.

Some of my memories were of visits to the Culver Military Academy. Sometimes we'd visit the "Shack" where we'd eat breakfast, or attend the Academy dances that were held during the summer. As achild it was also so amazing to see all of the pup tents set up for the younger cadets.

Additionally, we'd spend time shopping in a little grocery store called Rossas. (I'm not sure of this spelling). This store is no longer standing but there was a big water wheel out front, on East Shore Drive, that I believe is still there. Next to the store there was a little boat landing where we could access the lake to swim.

Behind the store and directly on the lake there was a home that we knew as the "girls academy" {Camp Maxinkuckee For Girls}. It housed girls that came to live at the lake for the summer and was somewhat of the "sister" academy to CMA.

These are just a few of the memories I have of Lake Maxinkuckee. I hope you might be able to share some of your memories and perhaps any information you might have of our cottage, "Fairview" or of the little grocery store called Rossas. I hope to hear back from you.

Thank you. - Ginni Miller Gionfriddo ; daughter of Mary Louise Cressy and Clement Michael Miller