Winona Lake

by Al Disbro

Overview

Winona Lake was once home to the world's largest Bible conference.

Before 1834, it was the home of the Pottwatomi Tribe, and later it became Spring Fountain Park on Eagle Lake. In 1895, Sol Dickeys's vision of "a kind of Christian Chautauqua" quickly grew in popularity and scope. The many attractions of Winona drew an average of 250,000 visitors each summer. It became so well known, a person could mail letters from anywhere using only the address of Winona Lake—and it would arrive there. Winona Lake has been the home of Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver and the headquarters of the Free Methodist Church, the Grace Brethren Church, and Grace College and Seminary. Billy Graham had an early beginning in the Rainbow Room at the Westminster Hotel. Will Rogers, Helen Keller, John Philip Sousa, Galli Curci, and Ernestine Schumann-Henk are among those who have made appearances at Winona.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738594286
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	10/01/2012
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Al Disbro, a photographer and local historian, has lived in Winona Lake since 1969. His stories and photographs come from life-long residents of the town. Winona had become what some say is a place where old people go and take their parents. In the late 1990s, a rebirth began. Winona Lake now has the village of Winona, offering many shops, offices, art festivals, bike races, and antique and British car shows, as well as many free concerts during the summer.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Before Winona, 1890-1904 9

2 The Beginnings, 1904-1915 33

3 The Bible and the Artists, 1915-1940 61

4 Transitions, 1940-Present 107