A lot of history has taken place in the Truesdell Lodge area on the southwest side of Lake Wawasee. Join Ann Garceau and Mary Hursh at 10:30 on Saturday, August 15th for the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s second Centennial Program in the Syracuse Community Center.
The small Brunjes hotel, built in the early 1900s, was enlarged in 1921 and renamed the Tavern Hotel – a popular spot for fishermen in all seasons. Stephen Freeman came to the area as manager of several cabins at Truesdell Lodge. Sunbeam Farm provided a living for the family; we now know it as Freeman’s Orchard. Elwood George, quite a flamboyant man, was an early developer around the lake. At least two Centennial Homes in the area will be featured.
For over eighty years the Wawasee Yacht Club has made its home in the Truesdell Lodge area. Progressing from the purchase of a small cottage for sale by the D.J. Brunjes estate located just east of the Tavern Hotel to the present, Mary Hursh, co-author of the recently published book, Wawasee Yacht Club 90th Anniversary Memories 1935-2025, will share the history of the sailing club.