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 allow 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

Prior to Wegner’s Lakeside Bar and Grill opening on Lake Shore Drive, it was the Hide-A-Way Lounge, which was in business for more than 30 years. The owner announced his retirement and Rachel and Tom Wegner purchased the restaurant/bar and opened in 2018.

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.

Many happy celebrations have taken place at Barron Lake over the decades, including this wedding at Reid's Resort, which was situated near Star Avenue and Barron Lake Road. We're not sure when this photo was taken or who the handsome couple is surrounded by friends and family, but thank you to Anne Born for sharing the photo.

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.

The Reid Family Reunion in January 1935. Included in the photo: Harriet Mason, Mary Bourdon, Harlan Bourden, Jack Mason, Fred Bourden, Anna Marie Reid, Paul Haas, Mary Reid, John Reid, Jessie Sheilds, Bill Starr, Hanby Starr, Hanby Pauline Haas, Bertha Mae Haas, Robert Calvert, Eva Calvert, Pearl Spry, Mr. and Mrs. Chartier, Freida Reid, Lucile Reid, Ed Reid, Dorothy Spry Frantz, Albert Frantz, Mayme Spry, Bernice Reid, William Reid, Jessie Haas, Harry Spry Jr., Delia Haas, Bobby Calvert, Marilyn Bourden, Harriet Calvert, Dorothy Reid, Dean Reid, Bill Reid, George Reid, Bill Reid, George Reid and Wally Reid. Photo shared by Janet & Denny Calvert.
Avalon Ballroom was located on Lake Shore Drive.
Reid's Resort was replaced by Kugler's Beach. Homes were built on the property (Barron Lake Road and Starr Avenue) when Kugler's Beach closed in the late 1990s.
An early photo of visitors to Reid's Pavilion located near Reid's Resort near Starr Avenue. Thank you to Janet and Denny Calvert for sharing photo.

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

The Stop In Restaurant served the Barron Lake area for more than three decades from the corner of Lake Shore Drive and M-60. The restaurant was sold in the early 2000s and called Country Kitchen. It has since closed and as of 2019, the building remains vacant.
Jen Cunningham came across this notice for the Barron Lake Day--a day filled with fun activities for residents on the lake. The notice says 1979, but it was1977. Thanks, Jen, for sharing this notice and helping to preserve lake history.
Pat Riley grew up on Barron Lake. Here he was about 5 years old checking out the construction of the lower level bar at Reid's Resort. Pat lived across from Kugler's Beach. (mid 1930s)

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)

One Reply to “Historical Photos”

  1. Leland Haas says:

    Cool saw my grandma n grampa befor they were married pik.from the reid family reunion im leland haas

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