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Whitmore Lake

Whitmore Lake image
Parent Issue
Day
5
Month
August
Year
1892
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The Bucyrus, Ohio, Sentinel contains the following description of Whitmore Lake, f rom the pen of oneof its editora: There may be other pleasure resorts where gaiety has greater sway; other resorts may boast of more beautiful surroundings, greater piscatorial sport, and possibly more healthful climate, but I doubt if one can get as much real down-right comfort, rest and sport at near so cheap a price anywhere within a two days' ride as at Whitmore Lake, Michigan. This may appear like a broad assertion, but I believe any fair-minded person will corrobórate the statement after a week's outing at that point. Whitmore Lake is situated in Washtenaw county, the banner agricultural county of Michigan, which fact is manifested on every hand in broad acres of bountiful crops, and numerous thrifty and beautiful orchards. It is located 12 miles north of Ann Arbor, and 60 miles north of Toledo, and is reached from the latter points by the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railway. Two miles north is a branch of the Grand Trunk, bringing Detroit within an hour and a half's ride. Lea ving Bowling Green via the n a. m. C., H. cSí D. train, one is dropped off at Whitmore Lake at 5 p. m., allowing nearly three hours' stop at Toledo. Xeturning, the 1 1 a. m. train gets you home at 5 p. m. The town of Whitmore Lake comprises about 30 families, and reminds one for all the world like a sleepy, good-natured oíd man, who has retired from active pursuits, and is content to.sit on the green sward and amuse his child companions. The place has two general merchandise stores, a blacksmith shop, postoffice, and nestling down in the valley close by the water's edge, a church of the Methodist denomination, where one service every Sunday is held, alternating morning and evening. In the winter daring the ice cutting seuson, the town takes on a busy appearance, 50 to 75 men finding employment in harvesting ice while the season lasts. There are a half dozen large ice houses, and the tracks, fixtures and machinery makc quite an interesting sight. The ice is of the purest, the water of the lake being clear as crystal when not stirred into action from the bottom. There are no surface inlets to the lake, and the supposition is that it gets its supply from continuous flowing subterranean springs or underground inlets from Lake Huron or Lake Erie. The outlet is likewise obscure, though it is supposed there is a vent somewhere through an underground passage. In shape, the lake is an irregular oblong, about three miles long by two wide. The depth is variable, sloping gradually from the shore, and in some places running to a depth of 150 feet. The surrounding country is beautiful to look upon. The banks of the lake in the main are high, and surmounted by groves, through which well-tilled farms and well-kept farm houses show. On the north side is a high hill, rising about 400 feet above the surface of the lake, from the summit of which seven lakes can be seen within a radius of five miles. The hillside is all under cultivation, the ripening grain, with here and there a clump of trees, making a beautiful view from our situation two miles distant. A roadway skirts the lake, and at points is very picturesque, and in no places unsightly. lts length is five miles, and it is considered a feat of considerable magnitude by lady guests to make the trip "on foot." Mrs. Dr. Martin of Ann Arbor, a veteran "resorter" and a pedestrian who thinks lightly of walking 20 miles a day, "as a tlesh reducer," made the trip quite frequently. Mrs. Vail accomplished the act one morning in one hour and seventeen and two-thirds minutes, beating Mrs. Martin's time by two and one-third (By way of parenthetical information, it may be well to note that Mrs. V.'s husband watched the progress of the race with a great deal of satisfaction, from a reclining chair on the Lake House lawn.") The Lake House, where our party stopped, is situated about 100 feet back.from the lake, across the roadway. The bank at that point is about 20 feet high and commands the most picturesque view tobe had. A well-kept, level and spacious lawn skirts the bank in front of the hotel, with ampie shade from two rows of old loenst trees. Herc "loafing" is rampant, a la hammocks, easy chairs and "full length stretch." There is also ampie room for croquet grounds, and since the arrival of the Ohio crowd, a lawn tennis court amidst shade two-thirds of the day, isa feature of the "esplanade." There are two hotels, both fitted for resorters - the Clifton House and the Lake House. The latter is desirable, both because of its vantage view and lawn and especial ly its management. Landlord Stevens, of the Lake House, is a model boniface. He is hospitable to a fault, and enters into every amusement and pastime as though he were one of the guests. The house is a three-story frame structure, built more than thirty years ago, with a wide two storied veranda running across the entire front - a veritable old tavern. The parlor is of large size, and the sleeping rooms are pleasant and airy. A dance hall with a piano attachment, occupies the third floor. When you go there, you "own the house." Mine Host Stevens' only effort seems to be in convincing you of this pleasant assumption and providing you with wholesome and plentiful sustenance, which he makes out to do in a thorough manner. The rate for board is extremely reasonable and "cheaper than stayiner at home." Another custom that makes Whitmore Lake so attractive to a person in seek of complete rest, is the utter abandonment of all style or fashion. Lady guests wear their calicó wrappers while the gentlemen can, with the utmost propriety, cast off coat and vest, wear a 10 cent straw hat, and still appear as eclat as the best of them. Ann Arbor people are the most numerous at the lake. Many go there for a day or two at a time, making frequent trips during the heated season, while business men send their families for the summer, and spend Sundays with them. At the Lake House, and "thrown in" with board, are 20 good row boats and a safe yacht, to which all have free access. This, together with the complete absence of intoxicating liquors in the town, and extremely low rate for board, certainly brings a pleasure trip "within the reach of all." The railroad fare from Toledo to the Lake and return is $ 2, 50. The fishing is just "tolerable." There is no time - except on extreme windy days - when one can not go out and get a good string, but they are of the common variety and not very large. Some perch and black bass are found, while a big pickerel is occasionally caught, one weighing ten poundsand another seven being landed Thursday. The favorite way of catching the latter is by trolling, but a line is often used with "chubs" for bait. Bluegills,a sort of sunfish, are caught in great quantities. They are very palatable. Bull-heads are caught at the end of the wharf with a drop line and a hunk of meat, any warm night, as fast as you can haul 'em in. We supplied our tables with fresh fish twice a day till the breezy weather carne on, when the pesky things refused to even bite. Within a radius of four miles of Whitmore Lake are a half a dozen smaller lakes, several of them connected up with streams, where the fishing is all that the veriest crank could desire. Dead Lake, a half mile away, is prolific, while Horseshoe Lake, a mile further, contains great sport. A chain of four lakes four miles north can be reached by the cars, taking the train in the morning and returning at noon or evening. At the extreme north shoreof Whitmore Lake is a magnificent bathing beach of pure white sand. Two bath houses and a pier are operated by an oíd Germán, whose ideas of rates are on a par with the general cheapness of all expenses, he charging five cents a head for use of the houses for changing wearing apparel. The point is reached by a strong 20 minutes' pull at the oars or a 40 minutes' walk. Another beach, very good for bathing purposes, is located at "the point," only five minutes distant. There are no bath houses here - that is there were none till the Ohio spirit of "moving things" struck the place. Now there is a homely but substantial pier built 30 feet into the water, and four stakes driven into the ground on the bank, around which is stretched an old worn outsail and a used carpet, makes an excellent substitute for a bath house. The people from Ann Arbor who take in the resort are of that city's best society. Among them who were there last week, were Dr. J.N. Martin and wife. They were accompanied by a friend, Miss McBride, of Philadelphia, and a sister of Mrs. M. from Lancaster, Ohio. Dr. Martin is a professor in the medical department at the University, and although at home a very dignified gentleman, was the jolliest sort of a fellow and did more to make the writer's departure regretful than any one other thing. The latter couple are great "resorters," having been to Europe several times and go to the coast or mountains each season, but they always manage to take in Whitmore Lake íor a week or more every year. We were also honored with thepresenceof another of Michigan 's noted sons - Prof. I Bilbie, of Ann Arbor, a violinist 01 rare merit, he having just finished a three years' course under one of Europe's most noted violinists at Berlín. Mr. Bilbie, like all others, had left dignity and restraint at home, and made an acceptable member of the party. ' He favorecí the crowd with many violin selections. Mr. and Mrs. Lindensmidt, of Ann Arbor, and Mr. Wright and Miss Beall, of Owosso, were also among the guests who not only believed in having a pleasant time themselves, but exerted themselves to make surroundings enjoyable for others. I learn it is a peculiar feature of the place, that all restraint and stiffness vanish when you set foot on the depot platform, and in its stead are freedom, pleasantry and the best sort of sociability. There is enough enjoyment to keep one going for two weeks, and no time to spare. To start with we arose in the morning at 4 o'clock, and were sorry that the evening carne so soon. Yachting, rowing, fishing, bathing, hunting, tennis, etc., make a very pleasant diversion to the ordinary wayfarer, and we indulged in it to our heart's content. If any one is in search of an outing "what is an outing," where rates are low, atmosphere always cool and delightful, a home-like locality with a notable absence of all restraint; with beautiful surroundings, and a picturesque sheet of water, you may travel the country over and find less enjoyment than at Whitmore Lake and the Lake House.