The cabin history, according to Joan and John...
In the beginning, Mauritz Hoeschen created the cabin on the west shore of Kings Lake in 1916. The material was hauled across the ice, since there was no road into the property. There was a very small trail and we think it was up on the hill and trailing down to the land where the hill tapers down. As everyone has observed, the floors are slanted to the north and to the east. This was to allow the rain to drain, since the outer perimeter was screened. In the center was the area which was used for cooking.
According to deeds and documents, the Thelen and Harren families of Freeport became involved in 1921. Then, in 1928, Joseph Rohling bought part of the cabin. In August 1944, the cabin and property were divided five ways and shares sold to Tony Botz, Henry Raeker, and Herman Humbert. Joseph Rohling sold out, but the Thelen and Harren families retained their ownership, thus completing the five shares. Because the Thelen ownership was actually two families, they became 1/10th owners. The downstairs was divided into two units and the upstairs into three units. As you can see, there were always many people around the cabin.
The road was also built in 1944. At that time, it was not graveled, so if one was at the cabin in a heavy rain-fall, there was a lot of scurrying around to pack up and leave. Often times, it became very difficult to negotiate the hills and many-a-car slid off the side into the ditch and would have to be pulled out by a tractor. Several parties were halted to get everyone "on the road" before it became too muddy. I guess gravel was not in the budget back then. While the road was being put in, Henry Raeker had his car parked on the hill. John Botz, even at the tender age of 6, liked driving. So he got into the car, put in the clutch, and away they (John and the car) went into the lake. Fortunately, they hit a post in the lake, which saved John's life. John still has scars on his butt from his father's wrath.
Herb Hennen, from Freeport, bought out the Harren's interest, much to Joan's dismay, as they had a very handsome son named Joe, and that's a short cabin romance story (see Inez for the details of Joan's diary, which she and Doris read). After Herb Hennen sold to Dick Salk, he became the downstairs owner, when he also bought out the Thelen family (Jan Thelen owns the cabin north of our land) in 1972. Dick Salk's regime at the cabin, with his large family, is a history in itself, which we will not go into in this history.
The Fish Fry probably began in the late 1940s. One of the many Fish Fry stories involved Grandma Botz's family. Her Aunt Rose and Ronald Sorg, sister Louise and Al Uphoff, adn sister Rosemary and Jack Gowan were invited. Jack, Al, and Tony encouraged Ronald to over-imbibe, much to Aunt Rose's dismay. She became so angrey, she discontinued shopping at the Corner Store for a long period of time (Tony was one of the owners of the store at that time). The Fish Fry started out as a simple menu--fish, broet (bread, and potato salad. Then the family grew and so did the menu. Grandpa Tony never quite understood why we needed so many "extras." It was the highlight of many local families and relatives to be invited. The fish were scaled and guts removed, then fried crisp, so you could eat the whole thing. The fish were always fried in cast iron pans, which Tony cleaned with grass and Eleanor washed later in soap and water (Tony never knew). While he fried, Tony liked his Kessler's whiskey (3/4 whiskey to 1/4 sour). When the fish were done, so was Tony! This usually resulted in a well deserved nap on the side of the hill.
When Dan Baltes was there, everyone played volleyball--many games! No one was allowed to sit around (well, maybe a spectator or two). There was also a horse-shoe pit, which was always busy. And, of course, we cannot forget the "bean bag" game, which Danny introduced and is still a big hit with people of all ages and abilities. Bocce ball, frisbee, and other games have also been part of the 4th of July tradition as well as A LOT of pictures--Big C's, Little c's, and anyone near a camera.
Susan was responsible for the bright chartreuse paint on the old out-house. For those who do not remember, we had two out-houses at the cabin--one upstairs and one downstairs--much like we now have two bathrooms (as of the date of this version, we have three now), but with no sinks, no showers, just two-holers. One of the other features back then was no running water--other than people "running" to get the water. The first pump was located near the "bear on the chair" and many buckets were carried. The next pump was located near the stone steps--two out-houses, two pumps.
Showering was done in the lake, as was shampooing hair. In spite of this, the Botz girls still had dates, even in the summer. Don't forget peeing in the lake and they blamed any pollution on the Blommel's cows.
As if that was not enough, there was also a time when we did not have electricity. Food was kept cool in an icebox, which had a pan under it to collect water. Of course, it overflowed often, so Tony rigged up a system with a drainage tube to the outside. The ice was cut from the lake and stored under the cabin in the "ice house" and kept cold with sawdust. There are also fond memories of an old hand-cranked ice cream freezer out there. We chipped the ice, put it around the outside, then put the ice cream ingredients---cream, sugar, and vanilla--on the inside. Everyone took turns cranking the handle until the ice cream was frozen, and SO delicious!
One of our favorite 4th of July activities was our great Lip Sync contests. People came from near and far (mostly downstairs) to watch the performances. There are tapes, and someday hopefully DVDs, so we can all enjoy them once again!
The cabin has been a part of the family for six generation--Eleanor's Aunt Anne Raeker, wife of Henry Raeker was an owner. She sold her share to John Botz in the 1960s. Tony turned over ownership of the cabin in 1972. Pete and Joan and Dan and Doris paid $600 per couple to the other siblings, Inez and Susan. Johnny deeded his share to the cabin. Susan bought into the cabin in 1987 and Inez purchased her shares when we bought out Dr. Salk in 2003.
Consider this Chapter 1 of the cabin history--our best attempt at the truth, and if you think there are any discrepancies, we think you are wrong!
~Joan & John
In the beginning, Mauritz Hoeschen created the cabin on the west shore of Kings Lake in 1916. The material was hauled across the ice, since there was no road into the property. There was a very small trail and we think it was up on the hill and trailing down to the land where the hill tapers down. As everyone has observed, the floors are slanted to the north and to the east. This was to allow the rain to drain, since the outer perimeter was screened. In the center was the area which was used for cooking.
According to deeds and documents, the Thelen and Harren families of Freeport became involved in 1921. Then, in 1928, Joseph Rohling bought part of the cabin. In August 1944, the cabin and property were divided five ways and shares sold to Tony Botz, Henry Raeker, and Herman Humbert. Joseph Rohling sold out, but the Thelen and Harren families retained their ownership, thus completing the five shares. Because the Thelen ownership was actually two families, they became 1/10th owners. The downstairs was divided into two units and the upstairs into three units. As you can see, there were always many people around the cabin.
Herb Hennen, from Freeport, bought out the Harren's interest, much to Joan's dismay, as they had a very handsome son named Joe, and that's a short cabin romance story (see Inez for the details of Joan's diary, which she and Doris read). After Herb Hennen sold to Dick Salk, he became the downstairs owner, when he also bought out the Thelen family (Jan Thelen owns the cabin north of our land) in 1972. Dick Salk's regime at the cabin, with his large family, is a history in itself, which we will not go into in this history.
When Dan Baltes was there, everyone played volleyball--many games! No one was allowed to sit around (well, maybe a spectator or two). There was also a horse-shoe pit, which was always busy. And, of course, we cannot forget the "bean bag" game, which Danny introduced and is still a big hit with people of all ages and abilities. Bocce ball, frisbee, and other games have also been part of the 4th of July tradition as well as A LOT of pictures--Big C's, Little c's, and anyone near a camera.
Susan was responsible for the bright chartreuse paint on the old out-house. For those who do not remember, we had two out-houses at the cabin--one upstairs and one downstairs--much like we now have two bathrooms (as of the date of this version, we have three now), but with no sinks, no showers, just two-holers. One of the other features back then was no running water--other than people "running" to get the water. The first pump was located near the "bear on the chair" and many buckets were carried. The next pump was located near the stone steps--two out-houses, two pumps.
Showering was done in the lake, as was shampooing hair. In spite of this, the Botz girls still had dates, even in the summer. Don't forget peeing in the lake and they blamed any pollution on the Blommel's cows.
As if that was not enough, there was also a time when we did not have electricity. Food was kept cool in an icebox, which had a pan under it to collect water. Of course, it overflowed often, so Tony rigged up a system with a drainage tube to the outside. The ice was cut from the lake and stored under the cabin in the "ice house" and kept cold with sawdust. There are also fond memories of an old hand-cranked ice cream freezer out there. We chipped the ice, put it around the outside, then put the ice cream ingredients---cream, sugar, and vanilla--on the inside. Everyone took turns cranking the handle until the ice cream was frozen, and SO delicious!
The cabin has been a part of the family for six generation--Eleanor's Aunt Anne Raeker, wife of Henry Raeker was an owner. She sold her share to John Botz in the 1960s. Tony turned over ownership of the cabin in 1972. Pete and Joan and Dan and Doris paid $600 per couple to the other siblings, Inez and Susan. Johnny deeded his share to the cabin. Susan bought into the cabin in 1987 and Inez purchased her shares when we bought out Dr. Salk in 2003.
Consider this Chapter 1 of the cabin history--our best attempt at the truth, and if you think there are any discrepancies, we think you are wrong!
~Joan & John
