350-80 West Shore Public Boat Access Landing  

1951 - June 13 - Public Access To The Lake

The opening of the 1951 fishing season next Saturday serves as a timely reminder of the worthy efforts of local conservationists to keep open the public right-of-ways to Lake Maxinkuckee.

John Bigley, president of the Marshall County Conservation Council, along with many local and county leaders have on a number of occasions, urged public vigilance in keeping open present right-of-ways and the re-opening of those that have been apparently closed.

There is considerable evidence that through the years neglected right-of-ways have been closed with the result that today there are comparatively few places where the public has access to the shoreline. Along the south shore only one or two openings remain; on the west shore, the stretch of s shoreline along Road 17 is gradually being closed;
the area near the viaduct in the town of Culver, and
the town park and
two openings on the East Shore
are all that keep the lake from being a closed body of water.

Leaders of the County Conservation Council recently petitioned the Marshall County Commissioners to take action in the matter.

The problem obviously important to all those who might wish to take a swim or to launch a boat, is of prime importance to fishermen, many of whom have fished the waters of Maxinkuckee for many seasons and want to continue without having to purchase any new fangled collapsible helicopter to get on to the lake.

In a very real sense it is of importance too, to all Lake property holders.

With regard to the shoreline area along State Road 17, local civic groups have expressed the hope from time to time that the State Conservation Department might be interested in establishing a roadside park here thereby guaranteeing a public opening.

It is understood that if the ownership of the strip could be determined the possibility of realizing the state park would be greatly enhanced.

1951 - Aug 29 - State Sponsored Lakeside Along Road 17 is Aim of Civic Proposal Here

Local Conservation Minded Persons Actively Seek Support of the Project

A State sponsored Lake Maxinkuckee roadside park is the aim of conservation minded individuals and interested groups here.

Through a proposal of Walter Busart, Dale Davis, John Bigley and others, and through active support of the Marshall County Conservation Council, the Lake Maxinkuckee Association and other groups, it is hoped that the State Conservation and the State Highway Department can be interested in establishing such a park along the west side of the lake.

Specifically the park would include a 1500 to 1600 foot strip of all the open shore area excepting 125 feet near Wallsteads, along side State Road 17 on the west side of the lake.

Through the co-operation of Walter Busart, who is willing to sacrifice his claim to land for the establishment of a roadside park, the project is entirely within the realm of realization it state and or county authorities will actively support the park.

Busart, Bigley and other individuals hope to confer with state officials at Indianapolis next week in regard to the proposal.

Bigley is chairman of the Marshall county Conservation council.

There are certain legal aspects to be studied before the proposal could be activated.

The establishment of the park would fulfill a real public need here at Lake Maxinkuckee since a continuing development of private homes has left few areas where the general public has access to the lake.

Visitors from a wide area find it increasingly difficult to utilize the lake for fishing, swimming, and boating purposes.

Persistent reports that the road and any lakeside development might encrouch on Pennsylvania railroad right-of-ways is without foundation, Conservation officials here say.

In reply to a query, the railroad does not offer a claim to the area. Actually the highway is on fill ground and more fill would be necessary for the state roadside park since the area between the road and lake varies from six to twenty-five foot widths.

ublic support of the project is urged and will be deeply appreciated.

1952 - May 7 – Representatives Of this community and officials of the State Departments of Conservation and Highways conferred last week at Indianapolis concerning possibilities for state establishment control of a roadside park on the open west shore of Lake Maxinkuckee along state Road 17.

1952 - State takes title & control, 700-ft. West Shore public access to lake

1953 - Jan 28 - The State of Indiana gained full access to a large part of the open shore area along the westshore of Lake Maxinkuckee on State Road 17 last Friday when Walter Busart, in a generous and cooperative civic step, formally sacrified any claim of his to the shore area by deeding his claim to the State.

Welcome News To Maxinkuckee Fishermen

Through the generous cooperation of Walter Busart and through the civic interest of many individuals, including conservation minded local citizens and County and State officials, the long hoped for development of the open shore area along State Road 17 is now permanently under the supervision of the State of Indiana

Announcement of the State's securing clear title to the approximately 1700-foot shore strip is contained in a news story elsewhere in today's Citizen.

It is indicated that actual development of the area. which will afford the public, access as a fishing site, will start in the spring or early summer.

Too much credit for this additional step in the realization of badly needed park area cannot be extended to the work of civic minded individuals.

It was several years ago that conservation minded local citizens began discussing the feasibility of such a project.

It was on August 29. 1951, when their ideas were expressed in all article in The Citizen and it was last May 2, when a committee of Culver citizens approached the Conservation Department at Indianapolis with a view towards interesting the State in the establishment and care of the lake shore area.

The continuing efforts are thus a step nearer The realization with today's announcement. There will undobtedly be considerable interest concerning the scope of the project and possible features in the development.

Although no details have been announced, the fact that the project is to be developed under the provisions of the Dingell-Johnson Act and under the supervision of the Fish and Game Division of the Indiana State Department of Conservation lends assurance of appropriate establishment.

1953 - State of Indiana Acquires Full Title to Opne West Shore, Lake Maxinkuckee

Area To Be Developed By State Under Provisions Of Dingell-Johnson Act

The State of Indiana gained full access to a large part of the open shore area along the west shore of Lake Maxinkuckee on State road 17 last Friday, January 23.

Walter Busart, in a generous and cooperative civic step, formally sacrificed any claim of his t0 the shore area by deeding his claim to the State. Specifically, the area includes about a 1700 foot strip running north and south along the State road and includes the entire open shore area excepting some frontage near the Wallstead Boat House on the north.

Mr. Busert's step makes possible the long hoped for realization of the general public to have permanent access to the waters of Lake Maxinkuchee,

The area and its development will be under the supervision of the Division of Fish and Game of the Indiana State Conservation Department.

Charles E. Scheffe, Conservation official, stated here on Friday that, "It is hoped that the project can be developed this spring and summer."

The roadside shore area will be developed under the provisions of the Dingell-Johnson Act and 75 percent of the funds, therefore, will be made available by the Federal government.

While specific plans were not revealed the development is primarily aimed to give access to the public as a fishing site.

Fishermen and conservation interested persons will undoubtedly welcome the announcement of this latest action.

The establishment and development will fulfill a real public need here since a continuing development of private homes has left few areas where the general public has access to the lake,

Visitors from a wide area have found it increasingly difficult to utilize the lake for fishing and recreational purposes.

The area varies from six to twenty-five foot widths and it is believed that there will have to be some fill and other installations included in the plans for the project.

Fishing boat access to Lake Maxinkuckee

1953 - Jul 1 - Area To Be Developed By State Under Provisions Of Dingell-Johnson Act

A fishing boat access to Lake Maxinkuckee will be constructed later this year on the west side of the lake, along the open shore area on Road 17, across from the railroad right-of-way and the Busart gravel pit, Doxie Moore, director of the Indiana Department of in Conservation, has announced.

The shoreline along Road 17 will be built out the entire 1,700 feet so that automobiles and boat trailers can park along the highway. The area now varies from six to 25-foot widths.

Funds for the construction will be provided through the Dingell-Johnson federal funds which pro vide for lake accesses only and come from the excise tax on sporting equipment.

While no estimates of costs were contained in the announcement it is believed that the construction will require around $5,000.

A launching will be constructed of concrete with a riprap sea wall. The boat slip will accommodate fishing-type boats only. The entire improved area will be under proper regulations and supervision of the Division of Fish and Game of the Conservation Department.

A diagram of the project, now being prepared by the engineering department of the Department of Conservation, will appear in an early issue of The Citizen.

The Conservation Department announcement will undoubtedly be welcomed by fishermen and conservation interested persons. Several years ago local conservation and civic-minded individuals initiated the proposal that the state gain access to the open west shore to guarantee public access to the lake for fishing purposes This group of individuals has long contended that there is a real public need here to provide and guarantee access to the lake since continuing development of private homes has left few open areas for fishermen.

Too much credit for the realization and development of the park area cannot be extended to the work of several local individuals. Formal action was first taken on August 29, 195l, when their ideas were expressed in an article published In The Culver Citizen.

On May 2, 1952, a committee of local persons conferred with Conservation Department officials at Indianapolis setting forth their ideas to that group.

It was through the generous and cooperative help of Walter Busart, who formally sacrificed any claim of his to the shore area by deeding his claim to the State of Indiana, which gave impetus to the project over a year ago.

Surveying of the area was conducted by engineers during the fall and past winter and on January 23 the Conservation Department announced that it had acquired full title to the open shore area and that the area would be developed under the provisions of the Dingell-Johnson Act.

1953 - Jul 15 - New Fishing Boat Access To Lake Maxinkuckee

This is a diagram of the fishing boat access to Lake Maxinkuckee which will be constructed later this year on the west side of the lake, along the open shore area on State Road 17, across from the Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way and the Busart gravel pit.

The shoreline along Road 17 will be built out the entire 1,700 feet 80 that automobiles and boat trailers can park along the highway. The area now varies from six to 25-foot widths.

Funds for the construction will be provided through the Dingell Johnson Federal Act which provides for lake accesses only and come from the excise tax on sporting equipment.

It is believed that the project will cost about $5,000. It was designed by the Engineering Division of the Indiana Department of Conservation. - Citizen

1954 - Nov 3 - West Shore Lake Access Project Nearing Finish

Chamber of Commerce Hears Fine Reports Of Conservation Officers

....

What is holding up construction of the long promised 1,700-foot Federal-State Lake Access Area on the West Shore of Lake Maxinkuckee?

All of the answers were given most effectively by Charles E. Scheffe of the Indiana Department of Conservation in charge of land acquisition and Harry Lower, our able local Conservacion Officer.

After his introduction by Don Davis, Mr. Scheffe commended The Culver Citizen for the accuracy of its reporting relative to the project since it was launched. He also praised Dale Davis, superintendent of The Culver Press and others for their continued interest in the project which resulted in the Chamber of Commerce reviewing the entire situation and correcting many conflicting reports and rumors.

It is now understood by all that construction will be completed before Dec. 31 and also that the plans and specifications call for an expenditure of $3.100 rather than the original estimate of $5,000.

Because of the limited funds available, raised solely by the 10% Federal excise tax on fishing tackle, we are to have a Lake Maxinkuckee fishing site only, without any provisions for boating, picnicking, or extensive parking.

The shore line is merely being straightened and in this connection the cooperation of the State Highway Commission and the Indiana Bell Telephone Company is required.

Many Culverites had hoped for the erection of a permanent seawall and a small roadside park to relieve the congestion at other access areas. At least $12.000 would have to be raised locally for such a program and the prospects are rather dim for the raising of such an amount...

1958 Lake Directory - 350-580 Boating Access Area

1962 - Lake Maxinkuckee Access Area is Being Improved

The State Conservation Department, after several years of inaction, decided to do something about the Lake Maxinkuckee Access Area, located on West Shore Drive. This past week access personnel made some very much needed improvements. The launching area was widened to a 20-foot width, which will allow for two boats to be launched at once, thus helping to eliminate the congestion caused when the area is being used over and above its capacity.

Cement slabs were laid on the launching ramps, which will make boat launching much easier and trailers will not be sinking into the soft mud. Another improvement planned for the area is additional space so that cars and trailers can be parked off the road, which has become a traffic hazzard during the summer months. The local Chamber of Commerce and the L a k e Association have petitioned the county commissioners to lower the speed limit in that area in an effort to help eliminate the traffic hazzard on the road.

NW COR SEC NELY 2155.5' SLY158.7' SLY