700 Lake Shore Drive  

Section 16 History 1835-1922

It was directly across from or in front of the Vandaliai depot

>

Was 704 Lake Shore in the 1940's , 720 Lake shore drive in the 1960's - Jan 1972.

1915 - May 6 - S. E. Medbourn and S. J. Lenon have bought the Vandalia Park tract of nine acres and will plat it into about 40 lots 1915 - Jun 23 Medbourn and Lenon received the deed on Moday for the Vandalia Park tract, and yesterday had surveyors platting it into lots.

1916 - Apr 13 - built by Charles Plotner.

Big New Garage

Chas. Plotner of Star City last week bought a lot 45X100 opposite the depot in the new Vandalia Park addition for $900, and his contactiors, Keen & Buckheister, are now at work on a cement block building which will cover the entire lot. It is to be completed by June 1.

1917

1917 - Mar 8 - A Business Change -

Culver, Ind.,
March 7

I wish to announce that the Lawrence Bros. of Plymouth have purchased the Lake Shore Garage and thereby have added another link to their chain of service stations.

We are going to put in an up-to-date shop where all kinds of machines and repair work can be take care of in a besiness-like way and will be cecond to no other shop in this locality.

Whether your needs are a small adjustment or a general overhauling, we are going to do the work thoroughly and complete, and your car must not leave the garage until you are satisfied.

We will soon have on display in our garage a new 1917 Dodge, which is every inch an extra ordinary porduction of the motor car world.
We will take great pleasure in showing you this car and explain all its many pleasin features

Yours for Service, The Lake Shore Garage - W. J. Low, Manager.

1918 - November 27 - Fritz Schweidler of Chicago buys Lakeside Garage from Lawrence Brothers.

Sale of Lakeside Garage

The Lakeside Garage has been bought by Maurtiz Scheilder of Chicago who will take possession Dec. 1. Lawrence Bros., sell the equipment and White Bros. & Co. of Laporte the building. The amount invovled in the deal is $5,000.

1922 - Lakeshore Garage - Note the building runs North & South as shown in the photo of the depot fire in Jan. 1920. Later years it ran east & west on the back portions of Lots 1 & 2

The Schwidler's & the Lakeshore Garage; more detailed

1923 - Mar 7 Installing Big Tank

The Lake Shore Garage is planting a 1000-gallon gasoline tank on the rear of its lot and will have a service station on the curb. The Schweidler's have contracted for 100,000 gallons of gasoline.

1924 - Sanborn Fire Map shows simple as "garage" and material made of and the location of the gas pumps

1925 - Feb 18 - Joe Schweidler sells half interest in garage to his brother and partner. M. F. Schweidler.

1927 - Joe Schweidler Buys Lake Shore Garage

1928 - Nov. 28 - Michigan Man Plans to open Chevrolet Agency

A Chevrolet agency will be opened in the Lake Shore garage, December 15th by a Mr. Fry rom Michigan.

This announcemnt is made by J. W. Riggens who closed the deal renting the Fishburn house to Mr. Fry.

Mr. Schweidler will not be connected in any way with the agency but will handle the seviceing work.

1929 - Aug 21 - Lake Shore Garage Starts Extensive Remodeling Plan

Work has started in remodeling the Lake Shore garage into one of the most modern buildings in any town this size in the state.

The building is o be extedned to a 100-foot front with a fine filling station at the corner of Liberty and Lake Shore Drive.

On the north side of the building will be a super-service station with the latest type of equipment.

An entirely new front will be built.

1929 - Dec 11 - Remodeling of Lake Shore Garage Completed

After several week's work on on the minor details the remodeling, the Lake Shore Garage has been changed into an up to-date garage that is a credit to the town and a reflection of the business ability of Joe Schweidler, the proprietor

The old wooden frame has been replaced by a beautiful light colored glazed brick, which is made nore attractive at night by the two flood lights

The entire structure was moved back allowing for a for a drive-in filling station.

The building was also widened to give more room for the repair shop as well as additional storage space.

The front of the building is taken up with the office, parts room and convenient restrooms.

The doors to the repair shop are electrically operated and is in keeping with the improvements made by Mr. Schweidler through out the garage.

Two hydraulic lifts are also a part of the new modern equipment.

1936 - Jul 22 - Schweidler to Move Buffington Bungalow Work has started removing the trees from the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Forest Place prepartory to moving the Buffington house to the back of the lot. The property has been purchaed by Joe Schweidler. The house will be faced on Forrest Place, will be raised and a basement placed under it. A furnace will be installed, a new roof built, and the interior and exerior of the house refinished. There is a possiblity that Mr. Schweidler will extend the entry way to the Lake Shore Garage to the corner. was 409 Forrest Place

1937 - Sanborn map it bore the strret/postal address of 702 Lakeshore Dr.

1940, Aug 14 - Ray Bickel Leases Lake Shore Garage

Ray Bickel announces that he has leased the Lake Shore Garage of Joe Schweidler, effective Aug. 7

Bickel has been in the mechaical department of the garage for 12 years so is well aquainted with the business

He also states that he has been assigned the local associate dealership for Gates Chevorlet of Plymouth

Joe Schweidler will devote all his time to his bowling alley in Lafayette.

1942 - May 20 Builds Sub Chasers

Ray Bickel former manager of Lake Shore Garage, left Monday for Benton Harbor, Mich. where he was a postion helping build submarine chasers

Joe Schweidler is now operating the local garage.

1941-1942 Howlett Motor Sales 704 Lalkeshore Drive. Lake Shore Garage view from Liberty Street the left is on the alley and the far right end is the south side on Lake Shore drive

1942 - December 30 – Closes Gargae - Joe Schwiedler closed the Lake Shore Garage due to war donditions and is now workng in Plymouth on war production as a skilled mechanic.

1943 - June 16 - Machine Works Moving Shop to Culver Site

The Moore Engineering Co. is moving its machine shop from Plymouth to the building formerly occupied by the Lake Shore Garage.

Three or four men will be employed until the plant gets under full operation, after which the force will be enlarged

Joe Schweilder, who has been associated with the company for sometime, has been turning out work for the navy in the local plant for the past two weeks

1944 - Jun 7 - Garage Reopens - Joe Schweidler announces the Lake Shore Garage opened for Business

1945 - May 5 - Lake Shore Garage Opens Under New Management

The Lake Shore Garage has been leased by Joseph Schweidler to the Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., which has issued a sub-lease to George Mayes of Mishawaka and R. J. Smith of South Bend.

The garage and service station reopened for business last week under the new managment at the sign of the Flying Red Horse.



Mr. Mayse and Mr. Smith have had considerable experience in repair business, garage work, welding, etc, as well as the operation of service stations. Mr. Smith had moved into the house formerly occupied by the Herman Gardner family and Mr. Mayse plans to move her as soon as possible.

1946 - Hudson Sales & Service, Lakeshore Garage - ad in Oct 2 issue of Citizen

1947 - February 26 – Buys Out Partner - G. O. Mayes has purchased R. G. Smith’s interest in the Lakeshore Garage and will continue to operate the business as in the past. Mr. Smith plans to move to California after school is out

1947 - APr. 23 - add stating also Hudosn Sales & Service

1948 - Oct 6 - Joe Schweidler, proprietor of Lake Shore Garage, announces that Williams Wooletts, son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Ward has accepted the position of car sales manager for his business.

1950 - 1952 - Lake Shore Gargage - Oldsmobile Dealership

1950 - Jan 11 - Don Anderson of Kokomo has purchased the Lake Shore Garage from Joe Schweidler
Don Anderson Purchases Lake Shore Garage

Don Anderson of Kokomo, Indiana, has purchased the Lake Shore Garage from Joe Scliweidler it was announced early this week. The new owner has already taken over the management of his newly acquired auto sales and service establishment here.

For the past ten years, Mr. Anderson bias successfully conducted an auto sales and service business in Kokomo. He has purchased a home just east of the Lake Shore Garage on Forest Place and expects to move his family here within the next two weeks. The Andersons have two children.

In announcing the sale Mr. Schweidler stated that his plans for the future were indefinite. He and Mrs. Schweidler plan to soon go to La Jolla, California, for an Indefinite visit.

“Joe” as he is familiarly known to his many friends has a wide acquaintance throughout the area. He is a veteran machinist and during- the war did specialized defense work. He established his business here 31 years ago.


1952 - Chicago Motor Club AAA Service Station

1953 - The new 1953 Oldsmobile will be shown this Friday at Don Anderson's Lake Shore Garage

1952 - Feb 6 - Short in wires leading to the large electic sign on front of the Lake Shore Gargae Satruday evening,brought a call to the Culver Fire Department who extingushed the blaze

1955 - Nov. 9 Lake shore Oldsmobile -

WInamac Meb Buy Lake Shore Garage

Bud Goble and Kash Holbrook of Winamac have purchased the Lake Shore Garage from Don Anderson.

They will operate the dealership under the name of Lake Shore Oldsmobile.

Both Mr. Goble and Mrs. Holbrook have been connected with an Oldsmonile dealership four years.

Mr. Holbrook, a factory trained serviceman, will have charge of the Service Deprtment and Mr. Goble will handle the Sales Department and office work

The families of both new owners plan to move to Culver in the near future.

1957 - Sep 11 Oscar B. Perine, the Indianapolis oil tycoon, has bought the Lake Shore Garage from Bud Goble and is a most valuable new merchant for this town to acquire. Watch him make things hum. Get to know him, he's just what this burg needs...

1958 - Jan 1 - Oldsmobile Names Lester C. Snyder its local Dealer... Culver has been without an Oldsmobile agency since Forrest C. Goble moved to Winamac and discontinued his Lake Shore
Garage across from the Town Park. He sold the building to Oscar B. Perine, Indianapolis, business tycoon, who has a summer home as 1954 East Shore Drive. Mr. Perine had been advertising the availabilty of the large modern building in the Wall Street Journal hoping to get a small factory to locate here...
1958 - Mar 26 - Oscar Perine Inn Town: New Cut-Rate Gas Station For Culver?

Oscar B. Perine, Lake Macinkuckee summer resident and prominent Indianapolus business man and petroleum distributor, who bought the vancant Lake Shore Garage (Oldsmoblie_ property across from the Park several months ago has been in town for the past couple of days supervisin activities at that location.

The rumor prevails that a modern cut-rate gasoline filling station is in the offing.

During the winter months Mr. Perine advertised the availability of the fine building for light manifacturing purposes in the Wall Stree Journal.

1958 - April 9 - HOOSIER PETE STATION FOR LAKE SHORE DRIVE - According to rumor the new service station being erected at the former Lake Shore Garage across from the Town Park buy Oscar Perine, Lake Maxinuckee summer resident from Indianapolis, will be a Hoosier Pete outlet

1958 - May 14 - Announcing Bonded Gasoline Service Station "A Good Product At A Fair Price" Now Open Located in the Former Lake Shore Garage Building Across From the Town Park Open Daily 6:30 to 9:30 Wayne Hittle - Jim Ely - William Borneman

1958 - June 4 – Oscar B Perine Service Station Is Now Open

Is Leased By Rochester Firm

The new “Bonded Gasoline” service station on Lakeshore Drive opposite the Town Park has opened for business which has far exceed early estimated, according to Oscar B. Perine, who built the ultra modern establishment on the property of the former Lake Shore Oldsmobile garage which he purchased some months ago from Forrest C. (Bud) Goble now of Winamc.

Mr. Perine a Lake Maxinkuckee summer resident at 1954 East Shore Drive , among other extensive buiness interests is presidnet of the Perine Oil Company of Indianapolis, distributors of Gaseteria and Hoosier Pete pretroleum Products.

The station has been leased by Mr. Perine to the Island Park Gas Company of Rochester, of which Wayne Hittle is president and William Borneman is secretary. Jim Ely has been named by them as local manager.

Branch of Oklahhoma

The station , which is open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., will soon fly the well know banner of the Oklahoma Oil Company, a division of the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, which recently bought the Hooiser chain of Gaseteria and Hoosier Pete stations for $5 1/2 million.

NOTE the building already existed possibly only some minor improvements if anything was made he did not build it Joe Schweidler improved and enlarged an existing builnd in 1929 see above. After Alvin R McKee took over as manager in 1962 Mr. Perine was nortrious for not wanting to make any improvements on this property and the little brown house that sat to the east of it and was a part of the property.

1959 - Bonded Gass Service Station - Malcolm Young manager

1959 - Aug 5 - Service Station Operating Under "Oklahoma" Name

The service station on Lake Shore Drive across from the Town Park managed by Paul Beaver, has dropped the "Bonded" trademark and is now operating under the well known "Oklahoma" name.

The Oklahoma Oil Co, owner of Indiana's fastedt growing chain of service stations is a subsidiary of the Standard CO. of New Jersey, biggest of U. S. oil companies.

Oklahoma got a strong _ hold in the state when it acquired the potent Gaseteria chain a year ago. Headquarters are in Chicaho where a good small-town Hoosier Ralph R. McCoy, is Oklahoma's able president. Mr. McCoy comes to Culver occasionally to visit his CMA cadet nephew, Andy McCorkle of Wingate, Ind.

1960 - Oklahoma Service Station

Bonded Gas Service Station Lake Shore Dr--VI2-7406 - 1960 Phone Directory

1960 -Oct 5 Fritz Glass and Body Shop - Roy Fritz Was located in the building east of the hardware (the block building directly behind it)

1960 - Nov. 30 - "Humble" Namme Appears On Service Station - The Oklahoma sevice station on Lake Shore Drive is also sporting a new "Humble" sign on its building. The Humble oil Refining Co., leading marketing subsidiary of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, has recently taken over Oklahoma and several other important companies.

1961 - Hoosier Pete Service Station Lakeshore Dr. -- VI 2-7406

1961 Lake Shore Garage Lake Shore Dr VI2-2045

1961 - Jan 11 - Paul Howard Now Sole Owner of local Garage - buys Interest of Roy Fritz

Paul Howard and Roy Fritz have dissolved their partnership operating under the name of Lake Shore Garage and Mr. Howard is now sole owner of the business
The automobile body, repair, and paint shop will continue under the same name in the the same location on Lake Shore Drive across from the Town Park.

The Oklahoma service station, now a part of the huge Humble oil & Refining co. is a major part of the concern and Paul 's brother John Howard will be in charge of it.

Other employes are Ray Bochantine, a mechanic with 36 years experience, and Jim caudill, who will handle the body work and painting.

Roy Fritz has made a new connection with Jim Labas Chevrolet in Plymouth.

Paul Howard formerly lived with his parents in a farm home seven miles west of Culver. He was graduated from Knox High School in 1956 and married Karen Goodnight of Indianapolis in 1947. he and his wife. the parents of a son born yesterday, reside at 327 E. Washington St.

This was the general layout when dad took over till it burnt.

The heavy "H" was the car hoist which had to have a 6 1/2 -8 foot heavy iron pipe under it to ensure it stayed up. The only thing that divided the room was a metal work station/ bench for tools, supplies for oil changes and lube jobs. The rest of the building except for the 3 room front office area was basically empty until Mr. Hittle started allowing stoarage by other people or renting the two test rooms out to others

It virually sat on the alley you can still see a protion of the orginal wall or footing of the Lake Shore Garage - at the far north edge of the parkign lot today. the two smaller outlines represents a garage (aat angle) & house that sat on the east side of the building

1 Aug. 1962 - c Sep. 1964 Hoosier Pete Service Station - Alvin R. Mc Kee, manager

The ad in the Culver citizen of August 1 proclaimed Alvin R. McKee the new owner but he was not... Oscar B. Perine was still the owner of the building till his death in 1970 and the Island Park Gas Company of was Rochester the leasee owned by Wayne Hittle.

1963 - Jun 26 -1965, May 29 Charley Frain To Open Auto Repair

It appears that the change of name possible took place sometime in September 1964 - as this ad is the first to appear with the "Enco" name

Company Logos of that era - Enco was a secondary retail brand name for products of Humble Oill the Enco brand was short for "ENergy COmpany." From 1961 to 1972

My memories of these years.

1970-1972 _ Wayne T Hittle of Rochester purchased building some time after the death of Oscar B. Perine

1968/9-1972, Jan - Randy's Body Shop.

?-1972, Storage area

Donald Stubbs - pay loader amongest other items
Leonard Richards - race cars & Tools
Pearl Onesti - Jeep

1972 Jan 31 - Enco Fire

c1964 - 1972, Jan. - Snyder's Ice

Alvin R. McKee was an outlet for selling ice for Bill Snyder - he had possibly purchased the McKee's old chest freezer when they moved from the corner of Cass and Main St. to Plymouth street or it was just moved down to the station to use by Alvin R. McKee to store the ice in rather than buying a new freezer for that purpose.


The original safe from Schweidlers stood eight feet tall was doubled doored each door about 2-3 feet wide and also there was old huge antique cash register were still in the building when it burnt.

1972,Feb-1974, May - empty lot



1974, May 16 - Aug. 1983 - Swirly Top Ice Cream parlor Drive In - Kenneth & Glenice Crowell



May 1984-1994 ? - Adler's Mini Mart/ c1984-Jun 2001 - Ralph W. & Barbara W. Dobson/Robert 'Bob' & Karen Adler

Culver Citizen - 16 May 1984 - Ralph Dobson and Karen & Bod Adler opened their new store in the foremer Swirly Top building at 600 Lake Shore Dr.

Mr Dobson bought and renovated the property while the Adler's lease it for their store, which will contain acomplete line of Phillips 66 products, Hole-in-One donuts, and a convenience store and deli.

Was remodeled in 1993.


1998 - Osborns Mini Mart

1998 - Subway Sandwiches and Salads

? - 2001, Jun Ralph W. & Barbara W. Dobson

26 Jun 2001-2009 - Osborns Mini Mart/Maxinkukee Ent. Inc; B & R Oil IMP on leased land.

2013, Feb.-2021 - Maxinkukee Ent. Inc DBA Osborns Mini Mart

2021,Jun.-2024 LLO Properties Inc.
SE MEDBOURNS ADD LOT 1
SE MEDBOURNS ADD LOT 2
SE MEDBOURNS ADD LOT 3