For more than 50 years, Tony Jones and his family enjoyed all the fun lake life had to offer—from family gatherings, fishing and boating to skiing and watching 4th of July celebrations from a boat anchored in the middle of the lake.
The Jones family lived on Korn and would meet up with Tony’s mother’s family in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor or New Buffalo, including Jean Klock Park, to enjoy family outings at a beach.
“My parents just happened to find the property on Barron Lake and bought it right away. It was a cottage with a small galley kitchen, living area with a small fireplace, one bedroom and a bathroom,” Jones said. The cottage, which they purchased in the mid to late 1960s, was deemed a three-season home as it did not have insulation.
The home, located on Lake Shore Drive, needed “some love,” as Jones put it. First they had to make a foundation, because it literally was sitting on five cement blocks, one for each corner and one in the middle. “I can remember grandpa and other relatives coming over and helping with the construction,” he said. A proper foundation was poured and soon a back porch/mudroom was added, as well as another large room that served as two more bedrooms.
“Now the relatives had a proper place to visit,” Jones said. “Every Sunday, the yard and across the street were filled with vehicles. Everyone brought a dish to pass, poker tables were setup for the adults and the cousins spent the day swimming.”
He has many memories of fun times spent on and in the water. “During the week, grandpa would come over to go fishing and many times my dad and I would fish the lake together. Night fishing for bass or catfish while fending off mosquitos wasn’t my favorite. Early morning fishing was the best. I always enjoyed the smooth lake on a calm morning at sunrise.”
Barron Lake is also where Jones learned to ski, either behind their rowboat or the neighbor’s speedboat. “Many years later, I got married and would bring my family to spend time at the lake. We had a speedboat and a couple of jet skis. Sundays were still the best as my dad watched his grandchildren grow into young adults. Dad loved to waterski, take the jet ski for a ride or just ride in the boat,” Jones said.
He recalled family gatherings at the lake to celebrate Independence Day. “Eventually we learned the fireworks were the best if we sat in the boat in the middle of the lake.” He also recalls everyone in the area being friendly and good neighbors. “Next door was a family from Chicago who added onto their summer home and made it a two story. The Wagner family was on the other side. We grew up together and are still friends today,” he said.
His parents often rented the cottage to a coworker or family member. “I remember six nuns from Chicago would rent it for a couple weeks at a time. Jim Sloderbeck or “Big Jim” even had to rescue them when they couldn’t manipulate the rowboat and were stranded in the middle of the lake,” he said.
In 2004, his dad sold one of his properties on Ironwood, and reinvested in the cottage. “It was torn down and a year-round residence was trailered in on four semis. Dad finally got to live by the lake year-round. Dad served our country in the Coast Guard and grew up in northern Michigan. I’m guessing his childhood and his service in the Coast Guard made him feel right at home on the lake,” he said, noting his father passed away in 2020.
Following his father’s passing, his sisters couldn’t agree to sell him the property and instead sold it on the open market. “I wanted to continue to keep it in the family and have those same experiences with my grandchildren. Now, it’s owned by a couple who are using it as an Airbnb. It’s sad because the neighbors all knew each other,” he said. “Some places around the lake ceased to exist after a while. Kugler’s Beach, and the Avalon were the ones I remember. Little cottages were being replaced or built into two story homes.”
Jones and his wife, Rhonda, have lived in Osceola since they were married in 1990. “Since the property sold in 2021, we had driven by many times to see how the property has changed. Seeing it on Airbnb, many of the updates were the same as we were going to make. I have seen how the lake level has gone down over the past couple of years. I really hope this changes, as Barron Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the area.”
What he misses most is how he felt when they were at the lake. “It’s like all of the cares of daily life are lifted off your shoulders. Just sitting in a chair and looking out at the lake has a calming effect. Firepits at night, laughter of the neighbors, friendships created, I miss this.”
As told by Tony Jones. Written by Jodi Marneris for the Barron Lake Association.
February 2023.
