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Beverly Shores, Indiana
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FREDERICK H. BARTLETT REALTY COMPANY, not Inc., ERA (1927 - 1933)
NEW SUBURB IN THE DUNES
Frederick H. Bartlett Realty Company Will Develop 3,000 Acres; Total Investment $10,000,000
Plans for transformation of 3,000 acres in the Dunes, including five miles of
lake frontage between the Indiana Dunes Park and Michigan City and involving
approximately $10,000,000, into a large commercial and residential suburb, are
entertained by the Frederick H. Bartlett Realty Company. The Company has acquired
from Ray Herman the 2,000 acres, recently purchased by him, and has under negotiation
the adjoining 1,000 acres of a 2,000-acre tract formerly owned by Wells Estate.
The remaining 1,000 acres belonging to the estate has already been annexed to
Dunes Park by the state of Indiana.
The property to be developed by the Bartlett organization extends back from the lake to a point beyond the South Shore Electric and Michigan Central railroads, fronting on both sides of the Dunes highway. It comprises the largest lake shore development project ever to be inaugurated in the Chicago region. Absolute riparian rights will be held by all lake front property owners, according to present plans. More than half a mile of lake frontage is to be reserved for a large bathing beach.
Lake Michigan at Bartlett's Lake Shore - Real Photo Post Card, ca 1927
BSHS Collection
Contracts have also been let to the W. B. Hutchinson Company for a concrete highway to be built north from the Dunes Highway through the approximate center of the property to the lake front, providing direct accessibility to the bathing beach. A large parking space surrounded by a beautiful colonnade is to be reserved at the end of this drive with concrete paving extending on either side along the beach for a quarter of a mile. Contracts have also been let for the installation of an adequate drainage system.
Other highways will also be built through the property, including a 18-foot east-and-west concrete road over a dedicated 100-foot thoroughfare midway between the Dunes highway and the lake. It is expected that this new road will eventually be part of a superhighway connecting Michigan City and Dunes Park.
The Bartlett company also plans to construct a magnificent South Shore Electric station to be located in the center of the property. This station will form the nucleus of a new townsite project which will bear the name of the development. The running time of the South Shore Electric between Chicago and the property is now approximately 90 minutes.
Five crews of surveyors and engineers are already laying out the streets in the property and nearly 200 men under the direction of John D. Sallmon of the Subdivision Development Company, said to be a subsidiary of the Bartlett Company, are now at work preliminary to placing the property on the market.
At least two large sites on the lake front, according to officials of the Bartlett Company, may be reserved as building sites for large, modern summer hotels to rival the hostelries of Atlantic City. Each proposed hotel site is to have its private beach and enough ground for laying out of golf courses, tennis courts, Roman plunge, flower gardens, playgrounds and garages.
Title to the property is being taken by Robert Bartlett, general manager of the Frederick H. Bartlett Realty Company, who states the adequate restrictions will be enforced to perpetuate the beauty of the Dunes and protect the community from the encroachment of industrial plants.
Reprinted from THE ECONOMIST, Chicago, Illinois - Saturday, May 7, 1927
ROBERT A. BARTLETT REALTY COMPANY, not Inc., ERA (1933 - 1946)
BEVERLY SHORES LEADS IN BEACH REALTY BOOM
Merger Stimulates Development; Let Contract for 2 Homes
Further developments in the Beverly Shores transactions between the realty firms of Frederick H. Bartlett and Robert Bartlett, both of Chicago, were revealed today in the latters official announcement that all the formers interests in Lake Shore, as well as in Beverly Shores, have been purchased by the Robert Bartlett Realty Company. Total assets involved in the transactions are reported to amount to more than $5,400,000. The new firm is now concentrating all its activities towards the further improvement of these twin communities which comprise a vast area of approximately 3,600 acres, including the five and a half mile strip of Lake Michigan frontage between Dunes State park and Michigan City.
Lots 4 and 5, Block 10 - East Side of Broadway - Between Ripplewater and Stillwater Avenues
Photo by Hallenbeck, Chicago - ca: 1930, BSHS Collection
With the entire resources, personnel and property management of the Robert Bartlett firm concentrated in this improvement, many changes are contemplated. Extension of the network of more than 37 miles of streets and highways already in Beverly Shores and Lake Shore is under way. Contracts have been let for the construction of a new, hard-surface road in Jones Avenue, from Broadway to Lake Shore Drive; and for the building of another 3,000 feet of road, connecting Dunes Highway with the Relief Highway south of it, to circle the east end of Beverly Shores golf course. This will make access to the course just as convenient to motorists on the Relief Highway as those on the Dunes Highway. Both new road-building contracts have been let to the W. H. Osterman Company, of Porter County, Indiana. All concrete streets already in Beverly Shores have been taken over by the County Board of Commissioners which now has full charge of their maintenance and control.
More new home building is also being witnessed in the twin communities for two, new two- story residences have been let to Leo W. Post of Beverly Shores. Other home plans by Bartlett purchasers have been approved by the company with the provision that such building is commenced before July 1, 1933. To date, 127 buildings, including homes and stores, have been built in the district since it was first opened by the Bartlett company to the public.
Attractive improvements in the Beverly Shores Golf course are being reported by the seasons players. The course is being operated on a public-fee basis under the management of Frank McDonald. The "pro" is Walter Murray, known to golfdom as a stellar professional.
Although newly organized, the executives of the Robert Bartlett Realty company are all veteran real estate men. Among the better known are Harvey D. Hanscom, who has been associated with Mr. Bartlett 21 years, secretary; R. Woodall Bartlett, treasurer; Harold J. Bowen. general sales manager; and E. Friedlander, W. A. Bartlett, Earl Mitchell, J. B. Cline, John Forbes, C. W. Howard and R. S. Hambly, sales managers and J. H. Plien, property manager. The president and founder of the company is Robert Bartlett, who as an official of the Frederick H. Bartlett organization from 1901 to 1933, managed many of Chicagos most successful realty enterprises. As that firms vice-president, and later as president, he directed the preparation of Lake Shore and Beverly Shores and opened them to the public. The reason for founding his own firm at this time, Robert Bartlett declared, was that he might devote all his present time and energies to the further development of these two adjoining lakefront communities of Indiana, to the exclusion of all other realty projects.
"Our action in purchasing the Lake Shore-Beverly Shores properties at this time", he says, "is based on our confidence in the future of this district. I have seen it develop from a wilderness to its present attractive state. I believe that because of its strategic location, it will be the first property in the entire metropolitan Chicago area to benefit by the general up-turn in economic conditions already noticeable. That is further reason why I am concentrating my personnel attention and the resources of my company on Beverly Shores and Lake Shore."
Reprinted from The Michigan City News, Michigan City, Indiana - Saturday, June 19, 1933
BEVERLY SHORES GOLDEN ERA (1935 - 1942)
No Depression in Beverly Shores; Five Years Marked by Continuous Building
Future, Like History of Resort on the Western Side of Michigan City Trade Territory is a Glowing One
Beverly Shores is a newly developed sub-division but it is interesting to note some of its outstanding features for it has many things that will not be found in any other community. It is owned and is being developed by Robert Bartlett. Within the last five years many things have happened in Beverly Shores and with so much talk about depression it seems almost unbelievable to note the many improvements and the degree of advancement that one finds in this community.
BEVERLY SHORES FUN MAP, 1936
Artist: Helen Aldrich Swensen
American (Michigan), 1906-1983
Gouache on paper, 22" by 30"
Courtesy of the Ruzic Family - 1998
Reproductions Are Available
The new and modern school building which was built within this five year period is an attractive brick structure of two rooms. Four teachers have been employed during its history. The year of its construction only the four upper grades occupied the building and they were taught by Minor Baker, who taught the same grades for the next two years. Lucille Lutz taught the primary grades for the first two years. Last year Claude Boram and Lucille Wheeler were the teachers.
The church which is now under construction will be used by the community as a place of worship and will be nonsectarian. The community is so small at the present time it seems more logical to have one church which is supported and conducted by the community as a whole. The church is already organized and for the past two years the congregation has met in the gymnasium of the school. Rev. Donald C. Ford of Michigan City has done much toward the organization and advancement of the religious welfare of the community. Rev. Clem Jordan and Rev. Loren Ritchey are also to be commended for their work.
The Dune Garden which was planted last year is one of the unusual and interesting things. It was developed by Louise Van Hees Young and she deserves much praise for this unusual collection of Dune flora which she has gathered into one spot so that persons interested in the study of plants and their habits may have the opportunity of enjoying this wonderful collection. Others enjoy it for its beauty alone. The dunes is the native soil of more than 75 different varieties of floral life. The strange and unusual thing is that tropic and arctic plants may be found growing within a few feet of each other. Hardy cacti and delicate orchids, trailing arbutus and wild iris and scores of different species can be seen in Beverly Shores.
Last year Beverly Inn, the home of Mr. Bartlett and the garage buildings were among the buildings constructed while many new homes were built.
Record Building
This year has the record for the greatest building program Beverly Shores has known. The most interesting is the reconstruction of the World Fair homes. The historical background which the children of the community will receive by the erection of the houses of the colonial village will be invaluable for years to come. With replicas of the "Old North Church", "Mount Vernon", "Virginia Tavern", "Paul Revere's Home", "The Wakefield House", and "Benjamin Franklin's Home" at hand, history of colonial days will have much more interest for the children. All will enjoy reading The Village Blacksmith, The House of Seven Gables and Tales of the Wayside Inn much more with the buildings to help them visualize the buildings around which the selections are built.
Then, too, the children and adults who witnessed the transportation of the four houses across the lake were privileged to watch a feat which has never before been attempted. The task, which required the united efforts of contractors, seamen, architectural experts, and workmen, was accomplished very successfully. The only difficulty encountered was that of reaching the pier. Because of the tremendous weight of the houses the water was too shallow for the barge to land until a channel had been dredged for it. Soon six of the houses will be open for inspection. Others will be offered for sale. Last year the Beverly Inn and Bartlett's home were open for inspection. So it is every year that new attractions are being added.
Leo W. Post is among the outstanding contractors of Beverly Shores.
He has designed and built many of the homes and buildings here. This spring Mr. Post opened a supply yard where he will handle coal, coke, other fuels and building materials. He came to Lake Shore in 1927 and later moved to Beverly Shores. Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Warren are to be listed among the first permanent residents of Beverly Shores proper. Mrs. Warren has had charge of the South Shore Station since it was opened and they moved into the building before it was completed. Mr. and Mrs. George Plein were the first to come to the sub-division after it was opened. Mr. Plein can always be found at the Bartlett office and has been field manager for the company for several years.
The police protection is paid for by the Bartlett company. At present two men are employed, H. D. Lutz and Albert Hinton. These men are commissioned by the sheriff of Porter county. Fire protection is supplied by the Michigan City fire department. However a pump which can be fastened to the police car is able to extinguish smaller fires and during the summer is kept busy with grass fires which are caused by careless persons.
Drama, Riding, Golf
The golf course brings many persons here, especially those having a weakness for the game. It is a sporty 18 hole course and has been classed among the finest courses in the nation. Each year many tournaments are held here and the course in visited annually by stars from all over the middle west. It was built several years ago under the supervision of well known architects and since then has been constantly improved. It has been managed for several years by Frank Macdonald. Walter Murray is the pro and an outstanding golfer. He spent the winter in South America and returned early in the spring. Theo Meetz is the greens keeper and in all weather the greens are kept in excellent condition.
This year the Goodman players, who are offering some very entertaining plays at the playhouse which was opened June 1, are doing much toward making Beverly Shores a more interesting place to be. These players are all well trained and are under the direction of David Putman Lewis. The playhouse has been prepared for the players and living quarters are in the same building. Large crowds are proving that the public is still interested in the better class of entertainment. At first only two performances were given each week but beginning last week shows are gjven four times each week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights and a matinee on Sunday afternoon. If this proves profitable the new schedule will be followed during the summer.
The riding stables which have been opened at the barns at Lake Shore Inn furnish a pleasurable pastime for those who enjoy horseback riding. When the bridle paths are completed the sport will be much more inviting to the riders. Many beautiful thoroughbred horses are to be found at the stables.
Womens' Club Popular
Last fall the women of Beverly Shores felt the need of social contact so the Beverly Shores Womens' Club was organized with Mrs. Edward Gregg as president. The club meets twice a month. The first Friday in every month is the business meeting and on the third Friday of each month a social meeting is held. At the social meetings special entertainment is furnished by either members of the club or some outside source. The puppet show and flag pageant which was under the direction of Mrs. Paul Boedecker was the most outstanding achievement of the past year. The club has a club room in the office building at the comer of Broadway and Lake Shore Drive and many pleasant meetings have been held in it. The program for the coming year has not yet been made out but as the club grows its activities will be more far reaching. Mrs. Ruth James and Mrs. Ruth Wollet, club members, are spending some time traveling this summer and will report during travel talks at a future meeting.
Mrs. Dorothy Hinton operates the grocery store in the building which was previously occupied by the Hayduk grocery of Michigan City and was operated by Frieda Groach of Michigan City. Mrs. Hinton has also been appointed postmistress and will fill this position when the post office opens. The Bartilotta store is operated by Mary and Phyllis Bartilotta and they also serve sandwiches and ice cream.
Beverly Shores Inn is operated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Macdonald. Mr. and Mrs. Merle Henry operate the lunch room in the Greco building. They serve chicken dinners as well as light lunches and sandwiches. They only came to the community last winter. When the new casino opens on Lake Front it will be an ideal place to dine. It is being beautifully furnished with modernistic furniture combining black and yellow as the predominant colors with appointments in harmonizing colors.
The Standard Oil Station is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Widmar. Since coming here a little over a year ago the Widmar's have built their home and made many improvements on the property. The many beautiful homes to be found in Beverly Shores are proof to the public that residents are home-loving people and take great pride in their surroundings. It would be impossible to mention the many outstanding homes for many types of houses are to be seen and unless one leaves the paved roads and travels the winding stoneroads many of the most beautiful homes are not seen. The natural beauty in most cases has not been marred but has been left to add as a proper setting for the buildings which have been constructed. The landscape artists who worked here realize that Mother Nature has been very liberal with this section.
The miles of paved roads and the natural beach make Beverly Shores an ideal summer resort and a place where one enjoys living the year round. Houses are being built in great numbers and within a few years the population will no doubt be so large that the residents will wish to incorporate and become self-supporting.
Reprinted from The Michigan City News, Wednesday, June 26, 1935
Contact Information:
Beverly Shores Historical Society
P.O. Box 242
Beverly Shores , IN 46301-0242
Email: bevshrshist@comcast.net
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