Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - "The Dixie," Indiana's oldest sternwheel paddleboat, has been making trips down Lake Webster since 1929, and its owner, Dan Thystrup, wants there to be many more trips to come.
U.S. Congressman Mark Souder visited Dixie Haven Resort at Lake Webster Tuesday afternoon to discuss options for saving the boat that will not be allowed to operate if state regulations are not met.
Thystrup said he received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources stating they wanted an inspector to look at issues with Dixie's gas tank, electrical and steering systems.
"The Dixie is part of Webster Lake and everyone's lives in North Webster and we want to keep it going for people to enjoy," Thystrup said.
He said the cost to meet regulations is approximately $40,000. Thystrup said he and his family purchased the Dixie in 1992. Throughout the years he said the boat has been taken care of, but due to changing marine regulations, the boat has failed to pass some of the regulations.
He said state guidelines require a compass, a two-way radio in order to call the Coast Guard and a 100-foot anchor rope.
The deepest point in Webster Lake is 50 feet, and the average depth is 7 feet, he said.
A small grocery store was on board and the boat was used in the 1900s for transporting mail and Lake Webster residents into town, Thystrup said.
"There are lots of people who have memories of the Dixie and the boat means a lot to everyone in this town," said Dixie Captain Bo Thystrup.
He said the boat currently is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and it is a tradition for the town to watch fireworks on the boat on the Fourth of July.
Karilyn Metcalf, chairperson for the Save the Dixie committee, said her love for the Dixie began as a young child and she wants to pass that love onto her students, grandchildren and community members.
"As a child, the Dixie meant a great deal to me and I want to pass on the joys I had to other generations," Metcalf said.
Metcalf also serves as a music teacher at North Webster Elementary School, and said her students have written letters to Souder and other local legislatures about saving the Dixie.
She said more than 3,000 petitions have been sent out to residents who have signed in support of saving the Dixie.
Souder spoke about his interest in preserving the Dixie Tuesday.
"I have had a passion for history since I was a young child and I ran for Congress to preserve the history of Indiana," Souder said.
He said he would speak with the Indiana Historical Landmark Association to preserve the boat and suggested alternatives such as not allowing the boat to go into the deep end.
Thystrup said he is looking into funding the boat through a not-for-profit organization and possibly holding fundraisers to raise funds for saving the Dixie.
For more information about the Dixie, people may visit www.adventureglass.com
