Fox Lake History Through the Experiences of Dr. Robin Newburn
By M. Todd Manuel,
FWIS Contributing Writer &
Tabitha Ervin, FWIS Editorial Director
Fox Lake is a national historic district located in Steuben County, Indiana. Established in 1927 with a rich history of black families for 3-4 generations, it developed between 1928 and 1950 as a vacation resort for middle class African-Americans. The cottages are primarily one-story, frame dwellings with gable roofs and concrete block foundations. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
In the years between World War I and World War II, and for some time thereafter, African Americans were generally not welcomed to traditionally white resort communities. Fox Lake provided black families with a place of their own where they could escape the heat of the cites and enjoy the pleasures of summertime activities. The historic district contains 32 relatively modest lake cottages; most of which were constructed before World War II. Many black families from Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo and Chicaga have at some point been a part of the growth of the Fox Lake community.
Fort Wayne Ink Spot writer Todd was able to interview Dr. Robin Newburn about her experiences with her grandparents growing up owning a property and now a property owner herself. Editorial Director Tabitha translated the interview into this story!
Dr. Robin born in Indianapolis and grew up in Fort Wayne vividly remembers summers at Fox Lake with her brother and cousins. Her grandparents who were also from Indianapolis, had a place at Fox Lake and during the summers of 1970s-80s as a child and then teenager, Dr. Robin spent many summers with her grandparents at the Lake.
When asked what it was like, Dr. Robin described Fox Lake as amazing! She said, it's hard to describe but as a kid it was like paradise. Imagine this, it's not a city, it's rural and although I grew up in a black neighborhood, this was different. I felt at home with the other families and people there, we were in nature and we felt safe. Dr. Robin excitedly shared the history of Fox Lake including a story about businessman Carl Wilson Sr. who is also known as the “Father of Fox” Lake as the person who built the first three cottages which are still there. In those days, there were not many safe vacation spots for black people. Fox Lake was different. It was a place families could swim, fish, boat and ride horses. Those luxuries were only afforded to white and well-off black families at the time.
My grandparents would let us hang out late. At that time there was a Rec Center that was open for young people and there was bowling, a snack bar and even a jukebox. We would hang out late and they felt safe letting us do that. Robin remembers Sunday school on the beach, they would ring a bell and you would see families headed towards the beach to participate. People would take turns leading and the superintendent would prepare the lessons according to Dr. Robin.
She also recalls over the years many restaurants, a large motel and even a clubhouse close to the community and as you entered the main road the community people would wave and smile, they call it the, “Fox Lake wave” and people still do it today. Dr. Robin remembers asking her grandmother about it when she was young because she noticed people didn’t do that when she was home on the main roads in Fort Wayne.
Dr. Robin’s grandparents were hardworking people but not college educated and many of the black families there at that time were. She remembers a neighbor who was a Podiatrist and in her words: “each summer when we came, he would ask us about our grades and how our school year went. I remember that feeling of education and people wanting you to succeed and excel, it seemed to be a general consensus around the lake with families”.
When asked how the Fox Lake community operates, Dr. Robin said it's a microcosm and a self governing entity. There is a Fox Lake Property Owners Association which was established in 1938. The Association has a president and board and they come together to raise money for road repairs, the 19868 Thomas Lodge and more. We all work together then and now to keep the community going. Dr. Robin participates on the Fox Lake Property Owners Board of Directors and the Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. They know that the community is a hidden gem and they work very hard to preserve it in addition to their work to upgrade dilapidated properties that no one lives in but the families haven’t sold them. Through the Preservation Foundation, they seek and receive grants for improvements and programming.
They are also seeking black realtors to support them in the process of preserving some of the homes and selling them to black families who are interested. Due to the cost of the properties being lower than Lake James, over the years and during the early 90s, some white families moved into the community. Dr. Robin says 15-20% of the community is now white. Today, Fox Lake is still a successful black community. Its traditions are still maintained by many second- and third-generation owners, who occupy a large number of the cottages.
Coming August 5, The Fox Lake Community will host its annual Light the Night event.The event has grown from one night of fun on the beach to a whole weekend full of options from Friday-Sunday with the main event on Saturday at the beach. There will be food, a band and a DJ. Many Fox Lake residents are selling tickets and more information is online at https://www.foxlakein.com/events/. I have personally attended as a guest of the Edmonds and it is a fantastic event you don’t want to miss!
Check out the website for more history and information at www.foxlakein.com.