Classic Cottages of Walloon: Part Three

CLASSIC COTTAGES of Walloon

PART THREE

By Lauren Macintyre

The “Classic Cottages of Walloon” encompass a variety of styles as well as distinct variations in size. These early cottages reflect an era in which people came to the lake and enjoyed a simple lifestyle during the summer. Many vintage cottages, both large and small, have been cherished and preserved by multiple generations of the same family. This article showcases ten classic cottages of varying styles and sizes that demonstrate this commitment to preservation.

TELJER LODGE (ABOVE)

GUNNAR AND LOUISE KLARR, OWNERS

Shadow Trails Road One of the most notable estates on the lake, TELJER Lodge, was the summer home of C.E. Wilson, a highly regarded president of General Motors during WWII, and later Secretary of Defense in the Eisenhower administration. Naming the lodge TELJER - an acronym of the initials of their six children - C.E. and wife Jessie created a magnificent family estate in 1926 that reflected their love of the northern woods. After passing it to their son Erwin and his wife Joyce, today the property is owned by Erwin’s stepson Gunnar Klarr and wife Louise Klarr. The Klarrs have lovingly maintained the integrity of the historic property, which includes the stunning main lodge and a guest and hunting cabin called Caribou Cabin. The main lodge features a magnificent fireplace and includes much of the original furniture and lake memorabilia. Also on the beautiful grounds are Rosie’s House, a meticulously maintained 1930’s children’s playhouse, and a vintage boathouse on the lakefront. Gunnar and Louise recently completed a thoughtful renovation of the main lodge which enhanced the interior and added a working cupola and exterior balconies.

HAPPY LANDING ZENT FAMILY, OWNERS

North Shore Drive Built by the Talbotts in 1907, this lovely cottage on picturesque North Shore Drive became the home of the Zent family in 1929. The Zents are a Walloon centennial family, tracing their Walloon roots to ancestor Enos Taylor, who came to the lake from Huntington, Indiana. Filled with family photos, antique maps and lake memorabilia, this comfortable cottage features a unique stone fireplace and a broad front porch that overlooks its iconic white boathouse. The memorabilia includes many trophies and awards won by the late Herb Zent, a highly regarded Walloon sailor with a beautiful 17 sailboat. Herb’s wife Eleanor Johnson Zent first visited the lake in 1945 and immediately fell in love with it. Today, she still enjoys the cottage along with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are committed to preserving the family’s legacy on Walloon.

RANDALL’S POINT RANDALL FAMILY, OWNERS

Balsam Lane It is perhaps one of the most beloved and iconic properties on the lake. Picture-perfect Randall’s Point blends a fascinating history with spectacular, panoramic views of the lake. Once known as Air Castle Point, at one time it was the property of Albert Barnum of Chicago, then C.E Schell of Cincinnati. At that time the Point was the site of a large Victorian cottage which was later destroyed in a fire. In 1915 the Point was acquired by Walter D. and Mary Bell Randall of Hamilton, Ohio, who created an idyllic settlement of three picturesque log homes for their family. Walter, a highly successful businessman, was vice-president of Champion Paper, which was founded by Mary Bell’s father Peter G. Thomson. Later Walter and Mary Bell’s son Bo Randall began creating finely crafted knives for sporting and military uses, and eventually established Randall Knives in Orlando, Florida, still run by the family today.

The stunning property of more than 15 acres of land encompasses three charming log cabins: Spruce Cabin, North Nest and the small cabin on the Point. Well-known local craftsman Burt Burns built the original cabins with their massive log beams and handsome fireplaces in the 1920’s. The estate also includes a fourth cottage which once served as the family dining hall, plus a barn and a vintage boathouse. Incredible sunrises and sunsets can be viewed on this spectacular homestead, which spans more than 2,000 feet of lake frontage. The landmark flagpole and the huge boulder that mark the Point were brought in by Bo Randall, whose children Patty Randall Baker, Gary Randall and Doane Randall Broggi own the estate today. Just adjacent to the Point are lovely properties owned by other Randall family members. TREETOPS

WEZEREK-MCAULIFFE FAMILY, OWNERS

Ellis Road Set high in the trees above Wildwood Harbor, Treetops is the longtime home of members of the Wallace family, which first came to the Thomas House in 1900. The extended family of Dr. James Wallace owned a cottage on South Shore, which he visited annually, but in 1930 he and wife Fran decided to build their own cottage. Treetops was the first cottage built by Ben Ellis, who would become a wellknown Walloon builder and entrepreneur. Ben even arranged the furniture in the house, pieces of which still remain. Built on tree trunks, the four bedroom cottage has unique, charming features. The large porch, designed for viewing spectacular Walloon sunsets, is the center of family life here. The cottage is now owned by Wezerek/McAuliffe family members, grandchildren of the Wallaces.

TANGLEWOOD BARKER FAMILY, OWNERS

Forest Lane The long history of Wildwood Harbor has unfolded in front of Tanglewood, home of the Alexander/Barker clan, a sixth generation Walloon family. It is one of three original cottages of the Hotel Wildwood, founded by the Batcheller brothers around 1907. Elliot and Lena Alexander of Kansas City, searching for pristine air for their son’s health, arrived in 1922 and fell in love with Walloon. They rented Tanglewood, then purchased it the next year from Ruth Batcheller. They rotated the board-and-batten cottage and added a sleeping porch, built by 14-year-old Frank Kent. Vintage clocks and lamps adorn the interior of the cottage, as well as a family growth chart on a door frame. Jane Alexander Barker, daughter of Elliot and Lena, is the author of A Place Like No Other, a fascinating history of Wildwood Harbor.

BARBER/LOWRANCE COTTAGE LAURIE LOWRANCE, OWNER

Country Club Shores Just south of the country club golf course lies Buzzard’s Bay, home to a cluster of cottages where some of the lake’s oldest families spent countless memorable summers. John Wilson (Wick) Barber and Martha Diven Barber of Anderson, Indiana built their cottage in that cove in 1939. Prior to that time, Martha Diven’s siblings and Gedge cousins had already established a connection to Walloon. Son and daughter John W. Barber Jr. and Martha (Marty) Barber Lowrance and children continued that tradition. Laurie Lowrance, one of the Barbers’ grandchildren, honors the family legacy by preserving the integrity of the five bedroom home with its old brick chimney, wooden interior, much of its original furniture and decor, photos, shared stories, summer visits by family and friends and connection to the community.

JA-MA-CA ELLEN ROSEWALL, JAN EASLEY & LINDA WETHERBEE, OWNERS

Lake Grove Road If you read the delightful Walloon memoir Sparkle Island by Ellen Rosewall then you are familiar with the family’s lovely classic cottage on the West Arm. Ellen’s grandfather Kenyon Campbell first came to Walloon from Columbus, Ohio in 1929 with a group of law school friends, and liked it so much that he and wife Mary then bought a picturesque cottage overlooking the West Arm. They named the cottage, which had been built in 1900 by the Wilhoit family, “JA-MA-CA,” after their three daughters Jane, Mary and Caroline. Today Mary’s three daughters Ellen, Jan and Linda own the much-loved cottage which houses an incredible collection of vintage maps, photos and antique wicker furniture, and boasts a picturesque little boathouse on the lake. BISHOFF COTTAGE

KAREN VANASSENDERP, BETH OPGRAND & DAVID BISHOFF, OWNERS

Bear River Road This delightful cottage, built before 1929, was purchased by William and Mary Richardson of Indianapolis in 1929. The cottage passed through various generations of the Richardson-Murdoch-Rose-Brayton families until it was sold in 1966 to E.V and Joan Bishoff of Columbus, Ohio. The Bishoffs, who had rented on Walloon for many years, have lovingly preserved the five bedroom cottage. Its many features include wooden floors, shiplap walls and a brick fireplace. Typical of many older cottages, it was constructed on a foundation of tree trunks, but was recently raised and a spacious guest suite constructed in the lower level. Today this charming cottage is owned by Bishoff siblings Karen, Beth and David, who still maintain ties with Roy Brayton, great grandson of the Richardsons.

LAKE VIEW COTTAGE ANNE SHEPHERD & ALLEN JANNEY, OWNERS

Howard Road At the end of a long wooded driveway in a picturesque setting on the North Arm lies the large vintage cottage that was built in 1937 by John and Anna Richardson of Cincinnati, brother and sister-in-law of William and Mary Richardson who owned the cottage described on the left. The pine paneled cottage with its impressive stone fireplace still displays the original finely crafted Rittenhouse furniture. Behind the house is a small maid’s cottage, today used as a guest house. Inside the warm cottage Anne Boyer Shepherd, granddaughter of John Richardson, has curated a marvelous collection of vintage photographs chronicling the family’s extensive history on Walloon. The cottage, which is owned by Anne and her nephew Alan Janney, has been home to five generations of the Richardson family.