1908 map of rail road holdings. Tho its not stated on the map the larger empty lot to the west of the Emma Lord Est. and was a part of Vandalia Park. The Parcel was purchased by Albert Toner as a 26A tract before 1886 when it was platted as Toner's addition to Uniontown and part was sold to the railroad; Lot 3 and in front of Lot 3 west of Liberty which was in front of the Vanadalia depot was the location of the Colonade aka Ohmer House and also could of contained the other 2 smaller parcels. and was sold Medbourn in 1915 and platted as the Medboourn Addition.

Pennsylvania Railroad Sells Vandalia Park

The Sale of Vandalia Park, which borders on Lake Macinkuckee, by the Pennsylvania Railroad to the Town of Culver was announced yesterday by W. O. Osborn, attorney for the town trustees, and is the culmination of several months; negotiations.

The contract for the sale has been signed by officials of both parties and the deed will be delivered within a few yars.

THe sale price is $6,5000, the amount appropriated for this purpose last December.

The transaction includes the 3.2 acres comprising the present park, running between the lake shore and the railroad from 200 feet beyond the boat house to the end of the triangle at Washington Street. Also 2.2 acres of the site of the old water tower at Bunker Hill, as well as buildings in the park proper.

Reservations Made.

The railroad included in the contract the reservation that it was not to be required at any future time to pay for the installation or a grade, overhead, or undergrade crossing, or to be assessed for any improvements

The purchase of the park is a master stroke by the town board as it assures Culver of a public park under its own control

Now the board will be able to make such improvements that will make the park a drawing carn the will bring financial returns to Culver manu times over the cost.

Problem of Upkeep

Ever since the railroad has felt that decresead passenger traffic has not justified its expense in keeping up the park, attempts have been made to protect the town's interests by buying the site, but rental on a yearly basis was the exctent of control given until the purchase was completed yesterday.

The final movement to secure the park was inaugurated by the Culver City Club, which enlisted the co-operation of other civic gropus and presented the need to the town board. The trustees opened ngotiations with officals of the railraod and found that this time they were in a receptive mood to dicuss terms.

Culver Town Park

It is almost beyound conception the probable importance to this community of the purchase of Vandalia Park by the town board

At times in the past commercial interests have tried to secure this land upon which to locate a "White City" or some other type of amusment.

This would of closed the laast public contact with Lake Maxinkuckee.

Then there was the possibility that it might be made a state park, but then it would have been fontrolled by politically-appointed officals in Indianapols, and pliticians have been known to do some things that have not always been to the best interests of the public. Besides, an official a hubdred miles from here would hardly know the best policy for this park and community as all can not should not be measured by the same yardstick

In the years of their prospertiy the Pennsylvannia railroad has beyond criticism of their care and conduct of the park, but naturally when excursions to the lake were longer profitable the park became a liability and he railraid was not justified in spending money annually for its upkeep

It should be said her that the Pennsylvania officials have always been more than fair to this community and have protected local interests when it would have been a financial gain for them to have done otherewise. Their generous dealings in selling the park to the town have placed this town in their debt for years to come.

Now thousands of people come to the lake each year in their automobiles, besides the large number of this community that enjoy the lake the year around, but especially the swims in its cooling waters at the end of a hot day.

Just how large an asset the lake is to the town can not be figured in dollars and cents, but would be nothing short of tragic.

In recent years the town has been leasing the park from the railroad company on a yearly basis. This arrangement did not justify any improvements to the park by the board, yet did allow a general upkeep of the park.

Now that the town owns the park real opportunities for vision, planning action present themselves to the town board.

The burning of the old boat house presents the most pressing need as an adequate structure should be at the swimming beach for the summer season or the number of visitors to the park will decline.

An attractive building with the necessary facilities will do much to mak Lake Maxinkuckee still more attractive to visitors, and a structure made of brick and fireproof throughout seems the logical type.

The improving of the rest of the park would then follow as rapidly as the town board feels itself dinancially able, but these improvements have been delayed for so long that any further postonement is undesirable for the best interest of the park

New and attractive tables and benches are needed, fireplaces would be a welcomed addition, adequate policing is vital, landscaping and upkeep are necessary, and improvement of the beach and shore line seems imperative.

Play equipment in the park and in the water is an item to remember for the future.

This park forms what us probably the most valuable peice of lake property in the state, and the town boioad has performed a monumental service to the community in securing it. If there officials do nothing else during their term of office they will have justified the confidence of the people in electing them

In this connection acknowledge should be made to others who assisted in securing the park. The Culver City Club proved its civis interests by promoting the movement and securing the support of other local groups. W. O. Osborn, as town attorney, played an important role in his diplomatic handling of the transaction that brought the long-desired project into reality and saved the town a considerable sum in the low price paid for the two plots.

The buying of the park forms a red letter point in local history and its importance and value will grow as the years roll by.

The Chamber of Commerce had has at its meeting Monday noon. but it wasn't served during the dinner - it came in the form of the business session when the members taled of the town park...

Dr. Mackey, for the town board, asked that the public be patient while the plans for improvements to the park were completed. The board wishes to draw up a definite plan for the park, rather than doing any work without thought of other improvements, as well as finnding the cheapest way [ossible. This may mean going through the summer without a b ath house, he pointed out, be declared that the public would be better served in the end.

...

A five dollar prize is being offered by the Eldeen Club for the best flower bed in Vandalia Park this summer.

Each bed is to be sponsored by some club or organization.

This offer is made to stimulate interest in beautifying the park as the town board has announced that it has no funds with which to take care of these flower beds and otherwise improve the appearance of the park.

Rather than see the park become a drab spot along the shores of Indiana's most beautiful lake the ELdeen Club is making this cash prize offer.

Other clubs or individuals interested in the park are invited to post any other prizes as they see fit.

The Culver City Club and the ELdeen Club have indivcated that they will sponsor a flower bed, and others are urged to follow their lead. Only existing flower beds are to be plsnted thsi year.

Boys of the community are reminded that now is the time to start building birf houses to compete for the $10 cashe pricses and other attractive prized to be awarded by the Bird Sanctuary Fish Club.

These houses will be placed in the town park as an added attraction to birds.

These house should be practical.

Any further information may be secured from Charles Cowen.

A five dollar prices is being offeded by the Eldeen Club for the best flower bed in Vandalia Park this summer. Each bed is to be sponsored by some clun or organization.

The offer is maed to stimulate interest in beautifing the park as the town board has announced that it has no funds with which to take care of these flower beds and otherwise improve the appearance of the park.

Rather than see the park become a drab spot along the shores of Indiana's most beautiful lake the Eldeen Club is making this cash prize offer. Other clubs or individuals interested in the park are invited to post any other prizes as they see fit.

The Culver City Club and the Eldeen Club have indicated that they will sponsor a flower bed, and others are urged to follow their lead. Only existing flows beds are to be planted this year.

Inn addition to applyinmg for WPA help in building and repairing sidewalks and parkings, rhe town board is considering the best method of securing government aids in the construction of a bath house to replace the boat house whic burned down last February 17.

The trustees have been consdiering various architectural designs for the bath house during the last several months. A present the board is debating how to frame the application for the prooject ubder which administrative agency it is best to file.

Since poeple outside the township will make use of the buuilding more than actual residents, it is felt that the state should bear more of the cost than the usual labor expenses.

final approval for the WPA project on sidewalks and parkings wo;; be sevured before July 1 although approval then is almost certain.

Approval had already bee secured under FERA, but no worl was done because of the short time left for the existence of that agency.

...

It was reported that the project to build a boat house in the town park was sent to Washington on Sept. 3, by state officials and is now awaiting federal approval. It is expected that definite action will be taken within a week or two so that actual construction can be started yet this fall if the project is allowed...

....

The men formerly used on this project are now working in digging dirt from Bunker Hill and building the road along the lake at the park

Dynamite is being used to break up the frozen ground.

It is planned to put rocks along the lake road to keep it from washing out.

The beach along the town park is being improved by WPA workers, who are dumping gravel out to a deistance of about 50 feet.

The gravel was first places on the ice until the weight sank the ice to the bottom. At first it was feared thae cakes would float out into the lake and wast the gravel, but the heavy weight was enoughj to hold the ice in place unil it nelted and placed the gravel just whereit was Wanted.

Part of this beach was coverd with weeds and was unfit for bathing, but now the whole area will be suitable for public use.

There were bricks of all hues, shapes, and kinds at the town board meeting Monday night, but there were no casualties.

In fact, not a brick was thrown.

The town dads were simply considering the types to be used in the new bath house. No order was placed as bids must first advertised...

Filling in Park

WPA Foreman Harry Menser stated that the site of the old bath house was being filled in and the low land at the east end of the park was being levelled off....

Work On the new bath house remains at a standstill.

All excavation has been finished, but the shipment of lumber for the forms has not been received and no more work can be done until it arrive.

All other materials are on had for starting the foundation... The cutting down of Bunker Hill and filling in of the town park continues.

When completed there will be ample parking space in the levelled area and more room for picnics in the east end of the park

The bathing beach will also be enlarged and imporved.

...A representative of a playground equipment company explained the advantages of his product and suggested a set-up for the revamped park. The board stated that nor order for such equipment was planned at this time, but might be considered later after the park and bath house had been completed...

Thirty-two new men were added today to the forve working on local WPA projets...

Most of the men will join the gang putting in curbs and side walks. It is planned to put an eight-foor sidewalk along the lake front in the park and to finish the lake road...

The Culver City Club is offfering a five dollar prize to the organization growing the best flowers bed in the town park this summer>br>
The contest was sponsored by the Eldeen CLub last year as a means of beautifing the park, and the cash prize was won by the Culver City Club

All clubs are invited to enter and each group may select the bed it wants to plant

Enteries may be made with Mrs. H. L. Werner before June 1.

A modern unit of playground equipment for use in the town park has been ordered by the town board, it was announced at a meeting of the trustees held Monday night.
The pieces include a jungle gym, a merry-go-round, senior swing set, and chair swing
set.
The equipment was ordered through E. A. Thessin, representative of a playground equipment manufacturing concern.
The equipment will not be erected until the remodeling of the park is nearer completion, and the logical site selected.

WPA workmen have started the building of a cement sidewalk along the lake fron in the town park.

The lake is to be eight feet wide from the east end of the park to the round stand and five feet winfe to the west boundary line.

A stone wall is being built along the shore from the round stand to near the viaduct. The wall will be about two feet high and will protect the roadway from the water

When this is completed the workmen will finish off the high bank and build steps down to the lake.

The road that has been built from the viaduct at the end of Washington street along the lake into the town park is being extended south along the lake shore. WPA workmen are handling the project, using dirt from the parking area on Bunker Hill. There is a possiblility that the road will eventually extend to Mill street



The building of sidewalks in the park has been suspended until the bath house is nearer completeion.

A five-foot walk has been laid from the freight houae to the round stand, an eight foot walk from the other side of the stand to the bath house, and a six-foot walk from the other side of the bath house to the east enf of the park.

Along the the latter stretch a stone retaining wall was been built, adding to the attractivenss of the park as well as furnishing a convenient place to sit and watch the lake.

The new playground equipment recently purchased by the town board is being installed in the east end of the park.

Work started yesterday. The equipment was purchased of E. A. Thessin, local representative for a leading manufacturer.

The men who are installing the units have completed their work on the plapground at the school, it was announced at the town board meeting Monday night.

Discusses The Shelter

With so much discussion going on regarding the west shelter in the park there are several things in to be considered.

First, the railroad owns all land south of the trackes within 50 feet of the track rail nearest the lake. No permanent structure may be placed on or projecting over this land.

However, the park belongs to the town and was bought so that the town might be free to make it a beautiful site for the people and comfortable for visitors to the park.

The park is first of all a town institution and is fundamentally for the residents of Culver. That is may help draw trade is secondary. The is trade of two types
the picknickers and
the guests who stop her for various reaons
(Academy functions, fisihing, stakting, boating, and lake resort.

Picnickers are of little consequence because they come with full dinner baskets, full gas tanks, and they stay only a few hours. The come only three months out of the year.

Gguests come at all seasons of the year and do not look only at the town, but at the lake, the sole beauty spot of Culver.

Citizens and guests alike wish to see the kae as they pass along the streets, and it should not be hidden from their view.

Already the view from Bunker Hill on the west is cut off by the boat house and the railroad station, so is it fair or advisable to obstruct still more.

The site upon which the west shed is being erected is the mos beautiful alon the north side of the lake and destroys it as a picnic spot.

The frame work is old and rotten and will not last long, and will soon come down, leaving an insightly cemente floor. It could have been left wher it was until it started to collaspe from old age.

There is the question of needing the shelter, anyway. There are the east shelter, the new bath house, and the porch of the railroad station available in case of storm.

But if the shed was to be torn down and the town board decided to put it up as far west in the park as possible, why not place it in an angle formed by the 50-foot line of the railroad and the cement walk. This would not obstruct the view of the lake and would not be unsightly to the passer-by.

After all the park is the property of the people and their wishes should be considered. - Interested Citizen.

1937 The boathouse was replaced by the Culver Public Beach Lodge, a WPA project. It opened in May of 1937.

The management of the Culvep Beach Lodge in the town park changed hands Monday when Mrs. Hugh Harper took over the
duties from Oliver C. Shilling, who has operated the resort since it opened on Memorial Day.

It will now be known as the Culver Beach Resort.

Several changes are planned by Mrs. Harper so as to make the place the finest and most modem in northern Indiana.

The first innovation will be the immediate installation of eight modern hotel cabins cabins to the east of the bath, house. Each cabin will have running water, toilet, electricity, modem furniture, and comfortable beds.

It is planned to add more cabins, next year.

Mrs. Harper hopes to have the cabins ready for use by next week.

Adds Dining Room

A dining room is to be placed on the first floor, where chicken and steak dinners will be featured.

Meals will be served as a part of the cabin rate, and a free boat-ride goes with every complete dinner on week days.

To show the public the fine fishing to be had at Lake Maxinkuckee, Mrs. Harper offers a prize, for the biggest fish caught thia season and also for the largest, string of blue gills.

A larger pier in front of the Culver Deach Resort will greet bathers this summer, according to plans made by the town board at its meetign Monday night.

The board also discussed the need of new picnic table, beches, and a walk from the railroad track to the bath house...

A proposal to provide a life guard at the town park bathing beach was considered at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Monday noon, but the matter of finances delayed any final action.

A trained Red Cross life quard can be secured for about $200 for the swimming season and he would be on hand to give swimming instruction as well as patrol the beach...

The town board decided Monday night to build a new and larger boat pier at the town park at an estimated cost of $450-$475 dollars.

The dock would be about 14 feet wide and 100 feet long.

The the town will do, the board told Oliver Shilling whe he requested the new pier, if $100 are raised by popuylar subscription to help defray the expense...

...By noon the town park was vrowded and all facilities were taxed to handle the unexpexted throng. The towh board had supplied a number of new picnic tables,but still the demand exceeded the suplu.

The Culver Beach Resort has all of its cabins filled and its lodge was a beehive of activity from early morning to late night. The swimming beach was a mecca as visitors enjoyed a cooling splash in the water or sunned themselves on the sandy beach...

The town board decided Monday night to build a new and larger boat pier at the Town Park at an estimated cost of $450-$475.

The dock would be about 14 feet wide and 100 feet long.

This the town will do, the board told Oliver Shilling when he requested the new pier, if $100 are raised by popular subscription to help defray the expense...

A rearrangement of the lease on the bath house was made btween the town board and Mrs. M. L. Harper at the board's meeting Monday night so that the town will assume the cost of operating the toliets for public

The town is to pay for cost of toilet accessories, water, and lifht, including lights on the porch.

A credit of $300 was granted for the cost of this items during the past three years.