This month is my anniversary with this newspaper.

For the past 18 years I have written this column every week and that calculates to over 900 articles. Occasionally I veer off the historical path but most of the time I have tried to stick to history.

A new generation may be reading these writings of the history of the Edwardsburg area, therefore I am going back to revisit some older articles and include new information.

Now for a disclaimer. I am sure that some of the history I write may be accurate and some may not be. I try to do as much research as I can but everyone knows that recorded history is only the words, stories, actions and opinions of one or two people at a time.

Going over some papers in the files at the museum I found a letter that was hand written by Sol Kushner’s son, Max. Kushner was one of the owners of the white house on Section Street. The top of the letter states; “Enjoy a Pleasant Vacation, Pleasant Lake Summer Resort. Phone No. 3.”

On the side of the printed stationary are listed: bathing, fishing, swimming, hiking, tennis, golf, dancing, and amusement. Also listed across the top are Sol Kushner, President, M. Kushner Mgr. and A. Kushner Asst. Mgr.

The letter is dated Aug. 8,1932

The letter starts out addressed to the Village Council, Edwardsburg,

Att: Village President.

Gentleman: About eight years ago the Village of Edwardsburg asked us if it be necessary to install a city light at the intersection in front of our estate which we did not see necessary at the time.

But when the concrete was put in (United States Highway 12) it increased the traffic very much more, using this particular intersection more than before. (US-12 and Section Street.) When it gets dark this intersection is quite dangerous to strange people and also our citizens.

Hoping that you will take this improvement up at your next council meeting.

We beg to remain, sincerely yours, Sol Kushner per Max Kushner, Manager.

 

The Pleasant Lake Summer Resort is the big white house on Section Street. All of the land that the schools occupy was part of the McGill farm, stretching from the railroad tracks on Section Street to US-12. He divided it up in to several parcels. In 1921, McGill sold part of the land and house to a Jewish couple, Sol and Ida Kushner who were from Chicago.

When John Barber built the house in 1882 it was the finest house in Edwardsburg built in the Italian style with octagonal front and finished inside of walnut. Some citations claim that the house was built with the dowry John Barber received from the father of his bride, Catherine Follmer.

In 1927, Kushner built a 12-room structure on the property south of the main house for the convenience of guests and offered hot baths for the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays for 25 cents.

There is evidence of a dining hall, tennis court, bathhouse and a dance hall on the property. The Museum has a few pictures of these buildings.

In 1937, Kushner sold the land and buildings to the Roush family who tore down the dining hall and hotel annex.

Folklore says that guests were loaded in a covered wagon and taken to Pleasant Lake to swim.

Most of this information is contained the archives of the Edwardsburg museum. Just an old letter tells a story, sparks the imagination and leads to an investigation of the history. The stories this house could tell…

 

JoAnn Boepple works with the Edwardsburg Area History Museum.