Best said in the song “Indian Lake” from the album “Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools”, by The Cowsills, this song released January 1, 1968 tells of the fun available at one the busiest lakes in Ohio. This 5,800-acre lake offers boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, beaches, dining on the water, hiking, nature trails and many more fun activities for the whole family.
The Indian Lake Region, rich with Indian History, played a part in the Indian Wars as well as the era of the Erie and Miami Canal. Bellefontaine promotes their area as being known for the famous Indian chief, Blue Jacket, and Indian Lake, originally know as Lewistown Reservoir, was a feeder lake for the Miami Canal System.
Indian Lake was famous as the Million Dollar Playground in the 1940s – 1960s, attracting vacationers from out of state, and boasted a park with amusement park rides, dance halls, boat rides, beaches and cabins. The park fell under stress and decline in the 1960s, and was closed in the early 70s. At one time, the lake had over 20 hotels for the many guests who frequented the area.
Indian Lake has settled into a residential and vacation community, with many part-time residents owning homes on the water and enjoying the many features that the lake has to offer. The campground is one of the busiest in Ohio, and is known for the beauty and customer service that it has to offer. One of the issues facing Indian Lake is the lack of affordable, high quality housing that allows residents access to the lake amenities. On- water housing costs have become prohibitive for most of the buyers, and there is a lack of new homes in the area that affords quick access to the lake, and allows the homeowner to have the space to store their boats, and be in a secure, limited access environment.
Mayor Shoffstall has been working on relationships that will bring growth to the area, and is exploring many avenues that will attract people to Lakeview, where they can enjoy the newly renovated downtown and see the opportunities for full or part time residency. “We are excited about the new housing development that is coming to Lakeview. Woodland Park Estates will provide 97 homes in a private community that will offer 2 miles of paved walking trails, a 2-acre park with shelter house and lake, a tennis court, large wooded lots, and very quick occupancy in new, upscale homes. The city has been working closely with S & S Fine Homes, Ltd on this development, and we are very excited to have these homes that will have very close proximity to the lake in a resort-style community”.
Lakeview has recently passed an ordinance that licenses golf carts, and allows them to be used on the city streets, offering residents the chance to golf cart to the downtown. This gives the community a real resort feel, as the community can move around in ways that are experienced in other resort communities.
S & S Fine Homes' member, Steve Wallace, who is in charge of construction activities, says “this community will offer outstanding resort-style living. We can hardly wait to see the 2 miles of lighted walking trails, accessible from the back yard of every house, come to completion. My family and I are residents of Lakeview, and live in our new community. We are committed to building a secure community with a strong resort feel that can be enjoyed by the residents. Our homes per square foot, will be very affordable, and will offer Woodland Park residents the opportunity to live in close proximity to the lake in a resort-style environment, at off-water prices”.
Indian Lake offers many opportunities for recreational enjoyment. As the second largest inland lake in Ohio, it offers great fishing, abundant wildlife, historical sites, on water entertainment, and a peace and serenity that is not easily found in the city. It is in close proximity to Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Findlay, Lima, Cincinnati and Toledo making it an excellent choice for vacation homeowners that want to maximize their investment.
Steve Barnes, managing financial member of S & S Fine Homes, Ltd says “I have lived at Indian Lake for over 20 years as a part time resident. It affords me quick access from Columbus, where I work as a CPA, and allows my family and I to come here every weekend, without the long travel time that others experience going to places like Lake Erie or other far away resort areas. I feel very good about the investment I have made in my home because we use it year round. I have found that my clients and friends who own vacation property that are far from home, do not get the enjoyment of frequent utilization, and question the return that they receive on their investment”.
If you are looking for an exciting place to vacation or own a home, you should consider Indian Lake. There is no better experience than recreating on the water, or waking up to the sound of birds and wildlife at your backdoor, instead of the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city. Relaxation takes on a whole new meaning when you have the ability to escape the city and get in touch with all that our abundant surroundings have to offer us.
“Indian Lake is the scene you should make with your little ones. Just keep it in mind, if you’re looking to find a place in the summer sun”.
