Kosciusko Lodge 1906

Description:	Front: Script on image reads, Kosciusko Lodge, Winona Lake, Ind. Handwritten script, starting beneath image, reads, Dear Miriam - We went up to the Y.M.C.A. camp this afternoon to reception; it is up this channel a [...] a mile. We went through sand and gravel to get to it. We have to ask for [...] here. [... ...] I think about it at first, it was [... ...] I got any. We [...] them around to all the Canton people who are here. [....] Back: Addressed to, Miss Miriam Christenbery, 321 N. Chestnut St., Canton, Ill. The writer states that they hiked over to the YMCA camp. The YMCA camp predated the Chicago Boys Club and it appears that the YMCA camp made extensive use of tents, etc.Kosciusko Lodge was originally built (ca 1900) as a hotel, under the direction of J. Wilbur Chapman. One source said the KL was intended to provide free or low cost housing for ministers attending the Chautauqua and Bible Conference. It was also available for paying customers. Its distant location from the venues of the Winona Assembly did not make it popular. It was located at the south end of Park Ave. across Cherry Creek. As early as 1908 the focus of the KL changed from a hotel to that of being a key building in a new Presbyterian summer camp. . Billy and Ma Sunday had apparently acquired the property, possibly to provide cash to the Winona Assembly at an earlier date. They gifted property in 1908 and in 1926 they deeded Kosciusko Lodge to the Indiana Synod of the Presbyterian Church. KL was described as having 58 guest rooms, a dining room, a wide front porch, a second floor deck and a 300 seat chapel. Camp Kosciusko operated from 1908 until the 1960’s. The deteriorating facilities and the construction of another camp in southern Indiana brought about the end of Camp Kosciusko. The camp’s former medical center and several counselor cabins have been turned into private residences. The lake front lots were sold to individuals. A portion of the camp’s land was sold to the adjacent Chicago Boys Club.
Origin:	1906-08-20
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15705coll8/id/495
Collection:	Grace College - Winona Lake Postcards
Copyright:	Contact Morgan Library, Winona Lake, IN for copy and usage permissions
Geography:	Winona Lake (Ind.)
Subjects:	Kosciusko Lodge

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