Lake and Newton Counties

Three Creeks Townships Map

South of the river on the west side of Range Line Road is a location known ad Indian Gardens. Purchased in 1905 by William Cameron, it consists of 1300 acres of marsh land along 2 miles of the Kankakee River. The Cameron Family ran a private hunting club and built the large house. William Cameron owned the Cameron Can Machine Company until they merged with Continental Can Company in 1944. The property is believed to be an old Indian burial grounds and human remains were unearthed during the dredging. The club has always been the center of rumors and tales about a favorite get away for Chicago mobsters.

Photos (Left and Right) The large house on the property. -Greg Jancosek Photographs-

Many places settled by the pioneers along the Kankakee were generally on the high ground near the edge of the great swamp, and known as islands. Almost all of the islands were occupied by trapper's cabins, or by men who for some reason wanted to live by themselves. Islands on the east side of Lake County were Jerry's Island, Little Beech Ridge, Walnut Knob, Honey Locust, Big Beech Ridge and Warner's Island. Fuller's Island, probably one of the best known, is the high ground on State Road 55 on the road to Shelby. On the west side, Sugar Grove, Stave Shanty, Wheeler's Island and School Grove Island.

Photo Left: An example of an island after the draining. Bogus Island south of Schneider. -Newton County Historical Society

Photos (Left) Fuller Island. Drive south from Lowell on Highway 55 and you'll pass right over Fuller Island. Today it is just a sand hill surrounded by farmland. Before the marsh was drained, this location was surrounded by water. Where the trees are is the top of the island. (Right) Looking towards the north at the former Fuller Island. -Jim Dumbsky Photos-

White Oak Island stretched for three miles in west of Shelby, and north of the Fuller Ditch. Pictured is the White Oak Outing Club on White Oak Island. Date unknown. Photo Left: - Greg Jancosek Collection-

Photos (Left) Group of Crown Point residents ready to enjoy a day on the river. Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society Collection- (Right) Powered launch out of the river. -Marc Buhurmester Collection-

Water Valley

In southern Lake county there was an area known as Water Valley. On Lake County, Newton County and Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railroad maps, the area between the southern most unincorporated limit of Shelby and the northern most unincorporated limit of Thayer was considered Water Valley.

Photo Left: Greg Jancosek Collection. The Diana Club. Originally known as the Chicago Sportsmen Club, the Diana Club was located in Newton County, south of the River on the north side of Thayer. The Diana Club, named for Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt, was one of the larger clubs. The club was organized in 1881 and incorporated under the laws of Illinois. The club consisted of a large clubhouse and boathouse nestled on eighty river front acers. The club, which in earlier days had a large porch wrapped around most of the building. The Diana Club contained 26 rooms, with 14 bedrooms on the second floor. The club house was divided into two sections. The front was reserved for the guests and the back where the caretaker lived. The dinning room seated 32 people comfortably. The organizers were from Chicago, including then Mayor Carter H. Harrison. The longtime Supervisor of the club was George Klein. His family lived at the club for many years.

Photos (Left) The Diana Club, 1902. -Newton County Historical Society Collection- (Right) Diana Club, 2006. -Tom Kepshire Photo-

The Fogli Hotel was originally known as the Newton House and was located on the Newton County side (South) of the river. Built by Ben Fogli in 1898 with twelve sleeping rooms. Guests from all over the United States and many foreign countries enjoyed Fogli's fine hospitality, along with delicious food served in a dining room that sat 85 diners at one time. From the May 16, 1903 Thayer and Shelby News, Kankakee Valley Review "Newton House is the name chosen for the new hotel and outing place just completed and ready for business, located on the banks of the beautiful Kankakee River one half mile from the Town of Thayer, Newton County, Indiana. The house is equipped to furnish accommodations for the comfort, convenience and entertainment of its patrons. The main building contains parlor and veranda facing the river, spacious dining room with good service guaranteed. The grounds on which the Newton House is erected comprised about 14 acres with a large river frontage and well shaded. The proprietor and his family are experienced caterers to the way of the hunters, fisherman and patrons of outing resorts and come to this location highly recommended as such……The entire grounds are being lighted by a new method of gas. The buffet contains a well selected stock of wines, liquors, beers bottled and on draught and a choice line of cigars…..” - Information Courtesy of Gerald Born, Photo Greg Jancosek Collection-

Photos (Above) Looking south towards Folgi's from the wagon bridge.- Greg Jancosek Collection-

Photos (Above) Fogli Hotel boat landing. -Gerald Born Collection-

The old hotel in 2006. It has been in private ownership for decades.

Max Ahlgrim arrived in the area about 1875. He built his frame home in Shelby soon after they moved in 1893, on the land known for years as "Ahlgrim's Park," where many came on the Monon Railroad to picnic. He also ran a small steamboat on the river, and would take sports enthusiasts to their favorite haunts in the Kankakee Valley. Ahlgrim’s Park was a resort, catering to hunters and fishermen who came in from Chicago. Once the railroad arrived, travel was easy and a depot was established at Water Valley. This depot not only handled the guests arriving at Ahlgrim’s, but the other hunting clubs of the area. The park was situated on a bayou that connected the old Kankakee River and former a lagoon on which the Ahlgrim property fronted. Ahlgrim also made wooden boats which he would rent and his sons hired themselves out as pushers to propel the boats through the twists and turns of the river. There were two club houses for his guests, which included the owner of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper factory and other wealthy men. As time passed cabins and cottages were built. A recreation building, including a nickelodeon, was built. Many dances and parties were held there. Ahlgrim also open a convenience store and harvested ice for area ice houses to keep his guests supplied with cool drinks and ice cream.

Photos (Left) Looking at one of the bayous at Ahlgrim's. -Greg Jancosek Collection. (Right) View of the park. -Gerald Born Collection-

Photos (Left) Motor launch pulls out from the slip near the Water Valley depot. This boat was owned by the Ahlgrim's family. (Right) Children playing on the landing at Ahlgrim Park. -Marc Buhrmester Collection-

Another notable destinations for hunter or sportsmen in Water Valley included the Newbold Hall and the Jennings Club. Their exact location is, at the moment, unknown. It is believed that both places were north of the river, on the Lake County side. The best information available is that the building to the right, in the picture is Newbold Hall. Photo Left - Gerald Born Collection-

Shelby Indiana was another place that sportsmen stayed while hunting and fishing the Kankakee. Visitors to the Kankakee could enjoy not only the hunting clubs, but several hotels in Shelby, including the Doty, Fuller, Sirois, Crocker and the Struble. Although crude and small by today’s standards, in 1900 they were considered top of the line. Records indicate that at one time 75 passengers a day were getting on and off passenger trains at Shelby. Photo Right: The Hotel Doty, Shelby, Indiana. Lowell Library Collection.

Photos (Left) Looking south toward the Kankakee at Shelby. The Fuller Hotel is pictured. Flood of 1908. (Right) Another shot from Shelby, 1908 Flood. -Greg Jancosek Collection-

The Wildwood Club was down on the old river (now bayou) directly south of Lowell, Indiana at the end of Colfax Street, west of Shelby.  This club was originally built in 1862 and was a popular spot for hunters. The Wildwood Club has also been rumored to at one time been a favorite spot for members of the Chicago "outfit" to relax, including Al Capone.

Photos (Left and Right) The former Wildwood Club as she looks today. This is another former club now a private residence. -Greg Jancosek Photos-

Schneider

In 1869 a sports resort was built by Heath and Milligan of Chicago, who with eight other men from the city built on what was first called "School Grove," north of the present town of Schneider. It is now called "Oak Grove," and the marsh came all the way up to the high ground where the lodge was situated. The custodian there, G. M. Shaver, boasted that in one year he killed 1,100 ducks and other waterfowl. In 1872 William Parker, said to be an English nobleman, bought land in the grove and began to build a fine dwelling house, barns and kennels, and changed the name to Cumberland Lodge. When the area began getting more heavily populated, Parker sold out to a group of businessmen from Chicago. The lodge building was destroyed by fire in 1946. In 1937 the lodge building was sold to John and Irene Schneider of Schneider, Indiana. After the fire, the property owners never rebuilt the original lodge. Several buildings from the original club remain on the property, including an old boat house, stable and outhouse.

Photos (Left Above and Left and Right) The Cumberland Lodge, circa 1937. William Peterson Family Photos.

Photo Right: Oak Grove Island in the distance. This was originally known as School Grove Island. At one time the marsh came right up to the tree line. This island was the home of the Cumberland Lodge. -Jim Dumbsky Photo-