Fox Lake Resort

Fox Lake Resort was the first and only resort established in Indiana catering to African American families, and one of only a few in the Midwest. In September 1924, a group of white Fort Wayne businessmen purchased land in Angola, Indiana, under the name of the Fox Lake Land Company. Their intention was to market the land to the growing Indiana African American community, specifically to African Americans in search of an independent resort where they would not be excluded. Almost all summer resorts at the time in Indiana excluded or severely limited the participation of African Americans. Advertisements described the resort as “a place of their own where they could escape the heat of the cities and enjoy the pleasures of summertime activities.”[1]

The first African American family to vacation there was that of Viola Reynolds in 1927. Reynolds was secretary at the Madam C.J. Walker Company, an Indianapolis cosmetic manufacturing business, which was the largest and most successful African American-owned business in the nation at that time. The Reynolds family was invited to buy a cottage from the Boyd family, a white family who had purchased land from the Fox Lake Land Company. News quickly spread about the resort, initially bringing in African American clientele mostly from Indianapolis, but soon bringing in visitors from cities within a day driving distance such as Detroit, Chicago, Toledo, Marion, and Fort Wayne.[2]

The Fox Lake resort was listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book, a book published annually by Victor H. Green that listed establishments that served African American patrons. The Green Book was published from 1936 to 1966, during which that resort was listed as “ANGOLA: Fox Lake Resort - 1 1/2 miles S. W. of Angola” in the 1941 edition.[3]

In its initial decade, Fox Lake residents were required to use a community water pump until wells could be built on the properties. Finally, in 1936 electricity arrived and 1938 saw the arrival of the Fox Lake Property Owners Association which organized trash removal, road maintenance, and the like. By the 1940s, the resort’s clubhouse hosted many well known musicians. The resort also boasted recreational amenities including tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and basketball hoops.[4] Saddle horses were also available until the early 1950s. Other activities included trap shooting matches, weekly Family Night at the restaurant, and Sunday school held on the beach under the trees.[5]

For the African American youth that lived within driving distance, the resort served as a recreational destination for beach swimming, dancing, and socializing. During World War II, African American troops stationed at nearby Baer Field in Fort Wayne were invited to enjoy the resort on their free weekends. In addition, a variety of meetings of African American fraternal organizations, churches, and alumni groups were also held at the resort.[6]

In the present day, Fox Lake Resort is still a flourishing African American community. Traditions dating back to the 1930s remain upheld by second and third generation lake cottage owners.[7] A portion of Fox Lake Resort, with 27 contributing single dwelling cottages, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (since 2001) as a historic district.[8]

[1] Ronald J. Stephens. FOX LAKE, ANGOLA, INDIANA (1927- ), 2014. Accessed April 29, 2020. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/fox-lake-angola-indiana-1927/
[2] Ronald J. Stephens.
[3] Smithsonian Institution. The Negro Motorist Green Book, 2017. Accessed April 29, 2020. https://edan.si.edu/transcription/pdf_files/7955.pdf
[4] Ronald J. Stephens.
[5] National Register of Historic Places. Fox Lake Angola, Indiana, 2002. Accessed April 29, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/afam/2002/foxlake.htm
[6] National Register of Historic Places.
[7] National Register of Historic Places.
[8] United States Department of the Interior. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, 2001. Accessed April 29, 2020. https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/22fce/N/Fox_Lake_Steuben_CO_Nom.pdf

Student Author: Mary Swartz
Faculty/Staff Editors: Dr. Ronald V. Morris, Dr. Kevin C. Nolan, and Christine Thompson
Graduate Assistant Researchers: Carrie Vachon and JB Bilbrey

PHOTO & VIDEO:
Fox Lake Resort, 760 Lane 130, attributed to MrHarman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fox_Lake_Resort,_760_Lane_130_(NRHP),_Angola,_IN.jpg

Fox Lake, West End, (Angola), Ind., Indiana Historical Society, P0408.
https://images.indianahistory.org/digital/collection/p16797coll72/id/1038/rec/45