In 1827 on what now is the area south of the dam the U.S. government constructed a grist mill to grind corn for the
Potawatomi Indians under the terms of a 1826 treaty. To obtain water power a dam was built near its present
location. This flooded the area around five lakes and formed lake Manitou of 775 acres. Near the mill were erected
a blacksmith shop, trading post and house for miller and blacksmith. It was the first white settlement of the
wilderness that became Fulton county in 1836. Samuel Milroy, builder, named the village Tiptonville in honor of
General John Tipton, Indian agent for the region. The dam , mill and village fell into disuse after the Potawatomi
were removed to Kansas in 1838. Lake Manitou, also known as Manatau or Manitau derives its name from the
Potawatomi word used both for "good spirit" and "evil spirit." The Indians, who fished and hunted in this area for 150
years believed the lake's waters held a monster fish or serpent of supernatural powers. Early settlers knew the lake
as Devil's Lake.

During the early and mid 1900's the lake was home to many resorts and hotels. They attracted thousands of people
each year to swim , fish or dance under the stars to some nationally known big bands. Some of the resorts are
shown below.
The Colonial Hotel as it appeared in 1915, before it became a dance resort. The location had been an amusement
center since the 1890s first known as Columbia Park. Today it contains Colonial Bay condominiums.
How the front grounds of the Farview Hotel and Gardens appeared about 1920, with main hotel building on left
and dance pavilion in right.
The entrance gate to the Fairview Hotel and Gardens on the lake's southeast shore when the resort was at the
height of its existence. A portion of the right-hand column exists today at the corner of Manitou Park Road and
Country Club Drive South
The Fairview Hotel's swimming beach, a public favorite, in a 1931 photograph. The striped canopy offered sun
protection to the many spectators regularly on hand.
The East Side Hotel in 1910, the year it was purchased by Harry Page who later transformed it into the Fairview
Hotel and Gardens. This location was occupied by a succession of hotels reaching back to the 1870s.
The dance floor at Fairview Hotel and Gardens that was built in 1915 as the first open-air dance pavilion in the
Midwest outside Chicago. The Fairview burned down January 22, 1939, and was not rebuilt. Three private
residences occupy the site today.
Passengers board the "Pastime" for one of its regular cruises about Lake Manitou. The two-deck launch was a
lake fixture for more than 20 years. It is loading here at the Fairview Hotel pier on the southeast shore sometime
in the 1930's.
The West Side Hotel in 1914 after expansion by a two-story addition on the west. The West Side was favored by
Rochester citizens as a place to have Sunday dinner during that era.
The West Side Hotel in about 1908, the earliest manifestation of this Manitou landmark. It was a popular resort
until 1951, when it became the home of today's Moose Lodge.
The lake's best swimming beach was at Long Beach amusement park on the northeast shore, also known as
White City, which operated for 15 years until 1937. This view was taken in 1930 and shows the toboggan
water slide, pier and diving platform with various park buildings beyond. Long Beach Drive traverses the
property today.
The Lake Manitou Resort 1957 Touted as "The Vacation Paradise of Indiana"
Today Lake Manitou is still a vibrant lake circled by homes,condos and a few restaurants and lodges. On the
south end is the Judy Burton nature preserve, set asside to preserve the abbundance of wildlife that inhabits the
lake and the surrounding wetlands.
Thanks to Glen Cleland for the black and white images and Jack Overmyer for his dialog on these historic photos.
History of Lake Manitou