Hunter Brothers Harvest Ice from Barron Lake

Barron Lake was used to harvest ice starting in the late 1800s by the Hunter Brothers, who had an ice company and an ice cream company. The brothers, who owned the first documented commercial industry in Howard Township, purchased 22 acres of land on the northwest shore of the lake where they built an ice house. 

To honor the contributions the Hunter Brothers made to this area, the City of Niles hosts the annual Hunter Ice Festival. The festival features ice sculptors from around the country who carve their creations throughout downtown Niles. 

The Hunter Brothers and how they and their business are an integral part of the history of Barron Lake. Read more.

Resorts and Dance Halls on Barron Lake

In 1895 Richard Kennedy purchased 35 acres of west shore property and developed Kennedy’s Resort, which was called the lake’s first dance hall on the property’s picturesque point.

Mr. Kennedy passed away in 1913 and his widow sold the property in 1927, only to have it return to her possession in 1932.

William Rutledge ran a resort called Rutledge’s Resort around 1900 on the south end of the lake. In approximately 1920, Paul Hass and his wife, Jessie, daughter of William and Delia Reid, purchased the business and ran the Hass Resort, which remained a family business until 1965. It was then sold and became The Hide-Away Lounge, located on Lake Shore Drive. The Hide-Away Lounge was sold to Tom and Rachel Wegner who in 2018, opened Wegner’s Lakeside Bar and Grill.

Miller’s Resort was on the eastern shore of Barron Lake. In 1911, William and Delia Reid, stayed at Miller Resort and then a few years later purchased the business and surrounding 11 acres. They called it Reid’s Resort and made several improvements, including the addition of a dance hall (called Reid’s Casino), cottages, tennis courts and a playground. According to an article published in the South Bend Tribune in 1935 and provided by Cass District Library Local History Branch, the Reid’s Casino, which overlooked the lake, cost $15,000 to build. The roof was 40 feet above the 66 x 85 foot floor cushioned in felt. The grand opening was held on June 2 featuring Jan Garber and his orchestra. Tickets to see Garber’s orchestra cost $1 if purchased in advance and $1.25 if purchased at the door.  

Reid’s Casino was remodeled in 1951 and became known as Kugler’s Resort featuring live music, a kiddie playground and beach. A copy of an ad placed in the South Bend Tribune on Aug. 17, 1951 and provided by the Cass District Library Local History Branch, boasted the new and completely remodeled resort hosting Tony Rulli and His Orchestra, and Don Pablo and His Orchestra. Once the resort area was closed, it was strictly Kugler’s Beach, which closed in 1997 and developed with homes. 

In the 1920s, there was a dance call called the Edgewood Beach, which was owned by Bill Eisner. After a fire in the early 1930s, it was turned into a residence and the home of Sally Rose on Lake Shore Drive.

Avalon Ballroom, which was built by William Stubbs,  opened in the 1930s on Lake Shore Drive. It’s been said Lawrence Welk and his orchestra performed at the Avalon (and Reid’s Resort) attracting large crowds from as far away as Chicago.Inside was the Lake Shore Supper Club and Oasis Lounge. The bar in the building changed hands several times.; last  operated as the Oasis and operated by Alice Fortier. The entire structure was torn down in 1998.

By the 1940s, the older dance hall on Kennedy’s Point was transformed into a roller rink and Kennedy’s Resort was converted to the Beachcomber’s Bar, which during the early 2000s was sold and converted to a residence.

Many thanks to the Cass DIstrict Library Local History Branch for providing some of the information contained in this article.

Michigan Airline Railroad

The Michigan Airline Railroad offered its first passenger train service in 1871. The service soon included two runs a day from Niles to Barron Lake charging a fare of 8 cents. The Barron Lake Station was on Barron Lake Road near where the Barron Lake Grocery store was previously located. A second Kennedy’s Station was near the intersection of Huntly Road and Dick Street. (Information provided by the Barron lake Association 1986 commemorative plate.)

The Cook’s Kitchen

The house in the center was originally the cook’s kitchen serving meals to those who rented the small cottages that once adorned this nook on the lake.