944=970 South Shore Dr

Section 34 History 1835-1922

All existing buildings on the lots which were once 936 S Shore, and 944 S. Shore and one cottage was built in 2001.

Mar. 1903 - ?

1947 -1973 - John M. "Jack" & Emily K. Pearce

1958 Lake Directory - Jack M. Pearce - , 1021 W. Maple, Kokomo, Ind.

Beth (Pearce) Muehlhausen wrote:

I grew up at 944 S. Shore Dr. (every summer until I was married) in a tiny log cabin my dad built with his own two hands. His name was Jack Pearce, and he actually owned the property from 1947-1973 (I think you've got 1953-61).

I married a guy from Maxinkuckee and we continued to bring our 4 kids and frequent the lake regularly until 2000 - in fact, we rented my dad's old place for the last 11 years of that time.

We'd always thought we'd end up getting that place back, but when my husband's family places evaporated and we could no longer afford to buy when it came up for sale in 2000 (due to the escalation in prices), we LEFT (a shocking reality) and purchased a place on a small 340-acre lake in southwest Michigan. While we enjoy being up there, nothing will ever replace the heart-bond we have with Maxinkuckee.

This is what I wrote in my journal on our last night at Maxinkuckee in June of 2000. Each word was selected carefully. It now hangs on the wall at the Michigan lake house next to a picture of my Dad's Maxinkuckee log cabin:
Here where my heart first grew roots,
A little piece of me must stay.
I cannot fully leave this place I love
But will take the essence of the cottage with me,
Leaving an element of my so ul behind.



My husband, Fritz Muehlhausen, was raised in the James I. Barnes cottage on the West side - which used to be the Arlington Hotel. It burned partially and was remodeled by Fritz's great-grandfather (James I.'s father) - I think his name was John E.

...the Arlington Hotel burned down completely. That is not accurate according to family history. The addition on the south side of the lawn burned, and the main portion was remodeled to create the cottage that stands today and still belongs to my husband's Aunt, Virginia Barnes Kniesly

1979-Aug 82 - Lester E & Mary M. McGrff

Aug. 1982 - June 1994 - David H. & Jocye A. Swedes

Aug. 2000 - Joyce A. Swedes Trustee

Jan 2000 - Aug. 2000 - Joyce A. Swedes Trustee

Aug. 2000 - Joyce A. Swedes Trustee

2000, Aug - 2005 - LEL ASSOCIATES LLC

2000, Aug -2014, Jul - James S. & Margaret M. Irsay

2014, Aug-2016, Apr. - James S Irsay

2016, Apr- 2024- James S Irasy Trustee Of James S Irsay 1989 Trust

915 South shore also owned by James S. & Margaret M. Irsay This is to be the care taker's dwelling, garages, a basement tunnel that is sealed concrete and it holds all maior mechanical systems and the tunnel carried water, steam, electric and cables and pipes to the main dewelling 944 S. Shore.

Aug. 2000 - 2013 - James S. & Margaret M. 'Meg' Irsay

It is said that there is a tunnel under the road to the other side of road. To the property at

"When I built my house in Culver, Indiana, I built an underground tunnel that’s like a mile long between the buildings. And I did it because that’s the kind of cool thing you like to find in old mansions. I have kind of a cosmic sense of humor. Hundreds of years from now someone’s going to walk through that and say, ‘Why on Earth did he build this tunnel?"

Another stated "He lies... that tunnel is closer to 2 miles, and connect the helicopter pad in the top of the big Barn on the south side of Mystic Hills now Horsehoe Farms at 17052 SR 110 to his garage on South Shore... the original 18' deep tunnel had a flaw... it was 4 feet UNDER the lake... hmmm, wonder what happened there???" This barn is described as:
A Tennis-entertainment complex with a small office area and one end has a garage with mezzanine besides having and area with a kitchen, sleeping area with a bath.


Another source yet states that all heating and cooling are piped in through this tunnel
sr_

2016-2017 - looks as if 970 S. Shore has become a part of thois p roperty and listed as a poolhouse, built about 2016-2017. The light tan area could be where the orginal house stood].

2025 - Aug 28 - Jim Irsay's $19.9 million lake house for sale:

'Mr. Irsay designed the property with intention' Dana Hunsinger Benbow Indianapolis Star Key Points
Irsay helped design the home that was built in 2001.
The 13,956 square foot lake house is located on nearly six acres at 944 South Shore Drive on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind.
The property includes an indoor shooting range, pool house, guest house and a 4,000 square foot dock.
The $19.9 million lake house of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is up for sale, marking the second property in less than a month the Irsay estate has put on the market. In late July, Irsay's $12 million Carmel mansion was listed and, within days, had a pending offer.

The latest listing, a 13,956 square foot lake house located on nearly six acres on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind., features eight bedrooms, 10 full plus 2 half bathrooms, and 4 fireplaces across 4 levels (with partial elevator access), including the rare walkout lower level, and the personal touch of Irsay, who helped design the home he built in 2001.

"This estate home is a one-of-a-kind in the Midwest. It’s not just a home, it’s a fully realized lifestyle estate that combines European architecture, recreational activities and privacy," Andrea Kelly, with Encore Sotheby's International Realty and the listing agent for the property, wrote in an e-mail to IndyStar.

"With 250 feet of lake frontage, a wellness complex and entertainment pavilion, Mr. Irsay designed the property with intention for generational living and hosting. It’s truly special."

The main residence of the property is "a European-inspired masterpiece with gracious living spaces, featuring soaring timber-framed ceilings, hand-painted details and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows framing breathtaking lake views," the listing says.

The home has four levels, with partial elevator access, and was designed by Irsay "to host generations of family and friends," the listing reads. It includes spacious entertaining areas, including a walkout lower level, multiple screened sleeping porches and private quarters.

The indoor pool house, with year-round swimming and spa amenities, has retractable lake-facing doors, a hot tub, heated paver pool deck, fireplace lounge area, plant wall, steam room and fitness areas. The guest house, located behind the main residence, has an 8-car garage.

The property also boasts the largest private dock on Lake Maxinkuckee, featuring more than 4,000 square feet of dock space, two boat slips and three solar-powered lifts. There is a firepit lounge, sand volleyball court and terraces designed for relaxation and hosting guests, all overlooking the lake.

Inside the entertainment complex, there is a professional-grade 4-lane bowling alley, arcade gaming area, state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, and a club-style bar with seating for 20.

"Long held as a cherished private retreat," the listing reads, "the property combines heritage and privacy with a lifestyle defined by luxury, scale, and the natural beauty of one of Indiana’s most iconic lakes."

another discription:
offers timeless architectural elegance with lifestyle amenities across two connected parcels. Totaling over 35,000 finished square feet across multiple custom structures with 250 feet of lake frontage, and the largest private dock on the lake (4,000 square feet), this property boasts entertaining, wellness, and recreation spaces. The European-inspired main residence features nearly 14,000 square feet of elegant living space with timber-framed ceilings, hand-painted details, and abundant windows with expansive lake views. There are 8 bedrooms, 10 full plus 2 half bathrooms, and 4 fireplaces across 4 levels (with partial elevator access), including the rare walkout lower level. The home balances grand entertaining spaces with intimate screened sleeping porches and private quarters, creating a true retreat for family and friends. The adjacent indoor pool house provides year-round swimming and has motorized retractable lake-facing doors for true indoor/outdoor living, plus a hot tub, heated paver pool deck, fireplace lounge area, live plant wall, steam room, and fitness areas. The charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath guest house offers comfortable, private accommodations. The 8-car garage is ideal for vehicle storage, toys and recreational equipment. Extensive outdoor living spaces include a firepit, sand volleyball court, dining terrace and expansive patios perfect for relaxing or hosting visitors lakeside. A thoughtfully designed entertainment complex with Creston smart automation includes a professional-grade 4-lane bowling alley, arcade, shooting range, and club-style bar, offering versatile options for leisure and gatherings. A discreet underground tunnel connects the two parcels, housing mechanicals away from the main residence to preserve the peaceful lakefront environment


Irsay died in his sleep at the age of 65 on May 21.



W 50' WD ALG W SD COM 275' S 648.5'W

Commencing at a point 275 feet South 648-1/2 feet West of a point where the Aubbeenaubee Reserve intersects the meander line of lake Maxinkuckee in Section 34, Township 32 North, Range 1 East, thence North 81 degrees West 203 feet: thence due North to the margin, of said lake Maxinkuckee as the same now is or may hereinafter be; thence Easterly along the margin of said lake Maxinkuckee to a Point due North of the Starting Point; thence due South to the place of beginning. Excepting 125 feet off the entire West side of said lot.