Historical Photos

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Todd Calvert in 1969 on property at 2673 Starr Ave. with Kugler’s Beach in the background. Many thanks to Todd’s sister, Vicki File, for sharing this photo.

Bob Calvert in the late 1940s on property at 2686 Starr Ave, with Reid’s Resort pictured behind him. Many thanks to Bob’s niece, Vicki File, for submitting this photo.

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Map made available by the Cass County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division depicting safety procedures for the lake.

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An ordinance approved in May 1945 regarding motorboat speeds allowed on Barron Lake.

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It was the summer of 1966 at Barron Lake. Thanks to MaryJo Morey for sharing the photo (above) from a fun day at Kugler’s Beach. From left to right: Mary Morey, Julie Morey, Mary Jo Morey and Bill Morey.

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Thanks to Brian Floor for sharing this photo (below) he recently purchased. The aerial shot of Barron Lake was taken by Hoosier Custom Aerial Portraits, a company in Indianapolis that seems is no longer in business. Not sure when it was taken, but judging by a few things we noted in the photo, we believe it was taken in the mid to late 1990s

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What is now known as Barron Lakeside Bar and Grill has had several names and several owners. The restaurant/bar was first opened around 1900 by William Rutledge, who called it Rutledge’s Resort. Roughly 20 years later, Paul Hass and his wife, Jessie, purchased the business and called it the Hass Resort, which remained a family business until 1965. It was then sold and became The Hide-Away Lounge until it was sold in 2018. It reopened as Wegner’s Lakeside Bar and Grill and was sold in 2023. The new owners in 2023 called it Barron Lakeside Bar and Grill. In 2026, it was sold again to Barron Lake residents Pam Durkin and her husband, Mike Gross, who remodeled the business and kept the name Barron Lakeside Bar and Grill.

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It is a little difficult to read the ad below from the South Bend Tribune, so here it what is says: 1879 Barron Lake Park. This most pleasant Summer Resort is now open for the season of 1879. The Hotel has been newly furnished and refitted, and an elegant Dancing Hall and Reception Room have been added.

The beautiful Steamer, Cora, will give excursions around the lake at an hour. A fine assortment of Row Boats, Sail Boats and Fishing Boats now in complete order for the season. 

The lake has an abundance of fish, and fishing was never better than this season, fine bass and perch being taken daily. The grounds are all that can be desired for picnic parties and have been re-arranged and fitted with swings, croquet, for archery, etc. An elegant pavilion with soda fountain, ice cream stand, etc. has been erected on the bank of the lake. 

Tables and chairs for parties furnished.  Bathing houses for ladies and gentlemen ready for the season.

A limited number of guests will be accommodated by the week.

The proprietor proposes to make this a permanent Summer Resort and assures the public no pains will be spared to give full satisfaction to all pleasure-seekers who favor him.

J.T. WARE.  Barron Lake, Cass Co., Mich.

Ad below provided by Cass District Library Local History Branch.

Marathon dancers copy of photo from newspaper provided by Cass District Library Local History Branch.

A bottle cap from United Dairies in Niles,Michigan, which at one time was located on Ninth Street between Sycamore and Main Streets.

A matchbook cover from Franky’s Restaurant in Niles. The restaurant, which was open in the 1950s, featured Franky Frucci’s original creation: the World Famous Shaved Stacked Ham Sandwich. 

A pint of ice cream from the Niles Creamery Co. was just one of the items manufactured and sold by the creamery. The creamery, which also manufactured cream, milk and butter and delivered by horse-drawn carriages, was owned by Albert G. Rooks, who is buried at Silverbrook Cemetery.

A glimpse into the unseasonably warm day for the Hunter Ice Festival in 2011.

The Ready 4 Theater opened in 1927 with a seating capacity of 1,000. It was last operated by Moore Theaters and closed in February 2005. (information contributed by Ken Roe for Cinema Treasures.)

The photo is from 1934 and was added to Cinema Treasures website by Penny Meyers Churchill, who said the photo is from Wally Eberhard, standing in front of his father, Ray Eberhard, Ready 4 Theater manager, and that his older brother Jack is kneeling at the far right. (Credit: CinemaTreasures.com)