Maxinkuckee Lake - Marshall County 1879

(Special Correspondence of the Sentinel)

Hotel At Lake - Aug. 16 - Many of your readers are familiar with the beauties and granduer of Lake Maxinkuckee, situated in Marshall county, 12 miles southwest from Plymouth, and many more would, doubtless, enjoy its beautiful scenery and surroundings, could they had the oppertunity of doing so.

"Maxinkucke" is an Indian name, which has been variously interpreted to mean "clear water", "stony botton", "Daimond Lake", etc. Not being familiar with the "gibberish" of the original Pottawotamie who christened it long before any white inhabitants penetrated this regon of Indiana. I an unable to say whether or not any of these translations are correct.

The lake is three miles long by two and one-half wide. The banks are high and profusely covered with a thick growth of nautral shade, and the shores are amygdoited with every variety of pebbles, nearly the entire distance around the lake.

The water is clear as crystal; and when not distrubed by the wind the bottom may be distinctly seen to the depth of 10 or 12 feet. It is almost entirely free from grass, weed and debris usually found in lakes of its size. Natue as done everthing for it, and a more beautiful sheet of water can not be foun anywhere. It is indeed

A scene for a painter,

A gleaming and glorified lake!

Extensive in improvements have been made so far this year; in fact more then ever before.

Messers. Fulwiler, Huhfield, Hall and Shirk of Peru, have erected a large two story club house with veranda fronting the lake, elegant sleeping rooms above, reception roon, dancing and dining hall, kitchen etc., below. They own the gtounds and building worth at least $1000, and have one of the finest "points" on the lake.

The "Lake View Club House", just completed, is owned by Plymouth people, and is the finest building og the kind on the lake, and perhaps Northern Indiana. It is a substantial frame, 40X60, two stories high with verandas on two sides. The upper story is diveded into eight large, airy rooms for the accommodation of the families of the owners. It is finished with three coats of plaster; the windows and doors have outside blinds, and the entire building is protected from the annyannce of mosquitoes and flied by wire screens. The lower story is divided into a large reception and dinning hall, a commodious dining room, connected with the main hall by folding doors, and a large kitchen, butlery and meal-room adjoining.

On of the proprietors Mr. N. H. Oglesbee, has erected a neat and elegant cottage on the grounds and six tents are pitched near by. The club owns 15 acres of ground on a high bluff on the northern bank, which will be improved in such a way as to make it the most desirable and elegant summer resort for for its owners and ivited guests anywhere to be found. The expenditures so far reach $3,000.

On the west side several Rochester gentlemen are erecting a large and elegant club house which will be ready for occupancy in a few days.

Several prominent gentlemen from Logansport have purchased the old Plymouth Club House, situated on the east bank of the lank, and will at once put it in a complete state or repairs

Mr. Scott of Indianapolis, owns 32 acres of eligible lanke front on the east shore. He has and elegant sailboath the "Halycon", a boat house, and contemplated improving his property within the next year.

Mr. R. I. McQuat, also of Indianapolis, owns four acres of eligible lake front.

Mr. Ed R. Wheeler, of Plymouth, has just comleted an elegant summer residence on the east bank, where he and his family are now spending the summer.

There are 10 sailboats on the lake, the best of which perhaps, is the "Halcyon". It is elegantly rigged with mainsail and jib and glides over the water like a thing of life.. The "Minerva", owned by the "Lake View Club: is a yacht, rigged the same as the "Haylcon" and carries 30 person with ease. The "Arrow" owned by W. W. Hill of Plymouth, the "Kittle Mack", "Anna", "Angle", "Eulalee", "Annie Bell", "Little Maud", "Maria", Nancy Lee", are all sailers, and almost any day when the wind is fair, most of them may be seen dotting the lake, presenting a picture seldom seen elsewhere.

The great need of the lake, to make it one of the finest summer resorts in the state, is good hotel accomdations.

The Lake House is well kept but is too small and too far away from the lake to make it a desireable place to remain any length of time.

No better location can be found anywhere for the investment of a few thousand dollars in a neat and subtantial summer hotel.

Phyrixus - Aug 20 1879 - Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis