An Early History of Lake Maxinkuckee
History of lake Maxkinkuckee
by Daniel Mc Donald

One of the most beautifil small bodies of water in the Northwest is, without doubt, Maxinkuckee Lake, a brief description of which written and compiled from various sources, will be of interest to those who admire the beauties and grandeur of nature.

The lake is oblong in shape. About three miles long and two and a quarter wide, with somewhat irreg ular shore lines and some small bays and und ulations. The shores present about ten miles of lake front of almost every character of approach; the level beach, the gradual slope, the steep incline, the abrupt bluff, the rounded headland, and these of various elevations, from the water's edge to nearly fifty feet in places.

The water is wholly from springs except the natural rainfall, there being no inlet that may be called such, and springs of delicious water are found everywhere along the shores. The banks are bold, clear, shade, and occupied by all sorts of summer cottages , mansions, hotels, schools of learning, academies, and club houses. On the west side of the lake a small strip of lowland gives out, to the surpluss water into a small lake close by, and thence to the Tippecanoe river, some miles southwest. There is very little grass, weeds, drift or other unslightly things in and around the lake, and but little brush or trees along the shore - all is clean, pure, and healthy. Flowiing wells abound on the north, east and south sides and most delicious water rushes to abouth eight or ten feet above the level of the lake on boring a distance of about 50 to 100 or more feet. Once on its shores at almost any point, and as long as you remain, be it days or years, the surroudnings impress you constantly, and if there be a particle of love for the beautifil in your composition, that sense is called into action at all times and on all occasions, in sunshine or in storm, the beauties of spring, the charms of summer and the gloried of autumn."

Surrounded with unbroken forests, as the writer has seen it, with the deer drinking of its limpid water without fear of molestation, the wild fowl floating on its bosom, the forest songsters noisy amind the other wise silent woods on all sides, and the few hardy pioneers with their new beginnings and humble surroundings, scattered here and there within easy reach of it, it was a gem of imperishable beauty.

"Again, surrounded as it now is with fertile and highly culivated farms, charming cottages and handsom dwellings with white tents amid the trees, cozy hamlets on either side, railrad stations and conveniences, its surgface covered with sailboats, rowboats, yachts and steamers, and on all sides the pleasures of fasions and those seeking relief from ennuie, overwork or study; misic, dancing and social gatherings of strangers, from all quarters and temporarily fraternizing, to each and all it is still, notwithstanding the marvelous changes that have been wrought during the past more than half century, what it was to the Indiana - the sparkling water - the beautiful Maxinkuckee. Once having come within the witching spell of its voicless charms, in the languaage of Othello, we can say: "If heaven would make me such another world od one entire chrysolite, I would not give thee for it."