SYRACUSE - Oakwood Park, Syracuse, has existed on the shores of Lake Wawasee for over a century and is currently undertaking a preservation project to save a historic Victorian lake cottage, the Pioneer.

The Pioneer, originally known as Oak Park Villa and renamed in the 1960s, was built in 1898 by Earl Stetler, a B&O Railroad employee. The Pioneer was constructed five years after the Evangelical Church purchased the 40 acres of land overlooking Lake Wawasee. The site was named Oakwood Park and was developed as a summer church camp. Families would visit Oakwood Park (arriving by horse and wagon or train) and live out of tents while participating in church and Christian educational activities.

After a few years, the tents were replaced with new summer lake cottages. Numerous cottages, including the Pioneer, were built.

"People buy two or three lots and put up new homes," Joe Lowe, executive director of development and marketing for the Oakwood Foundation, said. "This (cottage) is one of the few remaining."

The Pioneer is now the oldest remaining original cottage in Oakwood Park and one of only a handful of cottages built before the 1900s along the 20 miles of Lake Wawasee shoreline. Lowe said he knew of only three cottages built prior to the 1900s remaining of the 1,000 lake-area cottages.

The Oakwood Foundation is restoring the exterior and remodeling the interior of the Pioneer.

"We are a Christian retreat center and we have a variety of housing," Lowe said.

Housing includes several cabins and cottages and the Oakwood Inn. Lowe said the lodging spots are good for "little family vacations."

The Pioneer is part of Oakwood's rental program, Lowe said.

"We use the dollars (raised for the restoration) to pay for the program and other things (for the Oakwood Foundation)," he said.

He also said the cottage is large enough to house approximately nine people or "two families could share the cottage."

The Pioneer is closed in the fall and re-opens in the spring. Lowe said rent for the cottage is approximately $1,000 a week.

The Oakwood Foundation plans to begin restoring the cottage in the fall.

"The outside would remain pretty much the same," Lowe said, "which has a very historic look to it." And the interior will not be restored, rather it will be remodeled.

He said the inside would be changed to give the cottage a more modern and comfortable look. He also said they plan on getting furniture "that will look the period" and give a "cozy feeling."

"We have just about $90,000," Lowe said. "We need at least $100,000 (for the restoration)."

But, he said they don't yet have a "firm estimate on the cost" of restoring the cottage.

"It might very likely be that it will take more than $100,000," Lowe said.

The Oakwood Foundation has formed a restoration committee to develop plans and obtain the rest of the funding. Lowe said the money left over will go to a fund "to help pay for future maintenance with the cottage."

He also said plans are still being discussed to provide comfortable living space for use by families on vacation or small group retreats.

"We're looking for people who would like to volunteer time or (people that) have recollections of having stayed in the cottage years ago," Lowe said, "or even better, (people that) have money (to donate)."

Anyone who would like to help in restoring the Pioneer cottage should contact Lowe at 457-5600, ext. 477.

The restoration committee comprises Pamela Peterson, chairwoman; Mona Lou Brumm, Madelyn Wurster and Hamilton Harwood. [[In-content Ad]]