Latitude: 40.5867
Longitude: -85.8772
Lake Level Above Sea Level: 817 ft
Counties: Steuben County
Cities: Angola

Information: Fox Lake was the first and only resort catering to black families established in Indiana, and one of only a few in the Midwest. Similar resorts had been developed previously around lakes in Michigan, which offered numerous amusements and big-name entertainment. In 1924, a group of white businessmen purchased land along the south side of Fox Lake, and established the Fox Lake Land Company that developed and then subdivided the land to sell to black families. By the mid-1930s a dozen cottages had been built on randomly scattered lots, which were initially rented until all were sold within a few years. The original farmhouse on the property was converted into a small hotel, a barn was renovated into a restaurant and dance hall, and a bathhouse and pier were constructed (none of which remain today). Word of mouth about the community was spread by the land company and early property owners, who were anxious that the resort succeed and touted the joys of this tranquil oasis where African Americans were welcome. Other black families began buying lots and constructing their own cottages and rental properties throughout the 1930s. Most Fox Lake vacationers came from Indianapolis, although many others came from Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, and further cities, as well as smaller Indiana towns such as Marion and Fort Wayne.