A Lakeside Legacy: The Remarkable History of Oakwood Resort
When guests arrive at Oakwood Resort today, they often notice the shimmer of Lake Wawasee and the peaceful sense that this is a place where
generations have come to rest and reconnect. What many don’t realize is that Oakwood’s story stretches back more than 130 years, a history filled with memories of camp meetings, lakeside excitement, and a tradition of hospitality that still shapes the resort. Below is the story of how a simple lakeside hill became one of Indiana’s most cherished destination spots.
A Hill Called Conkling’s Point (Before 1893)
Long before Oakwood became a resort, the land on the northwest shore of Lake Wawasee was known locally as Conkling’s Hill named after a fishing guide who lived there ,Bill Conkling. It was a wooded rise overlooking the lake where families picnicked and campers pitched tents. It offered elevated lake views and natural shade, characteristics that would later make it a perfect retreat center. In 1875 a wood-frame building was constructed on the hill, serving as the superintendent’s residence.
1893: A Vision for Fellowship and Renewal
According to the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum and Indiana United Methodist Church heritage records, the turning point came in 1893, when the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Church purchased roughly 40 acres of the hilltop. Their vision was to create a place of spiritual retreat, filled with camp meetings, music programs, youth gatherings, and summer cottages. They named it Oakwood Park, inspired by the immense oak trees still present today. Soon, families from across Indiana traveled to Lake Wawasee each summer, staying in rustic cottages and tents along the shoreline. Local newspapers of the early 1900s describe the site as lively, joyful, and bustling with visitors seeking rest and community.
The First Hotel on Lake Wawasee (Early 1900s)
As demand grew, Oakwood Park expanded. Around 1904, the first major hotel was built on the property. This building was affectionately named Hotel Esther after the superintendents wife. Just a few short decades later the demand for the camp grew even more requiring a new hotel for more space. In 1927 Hotel Oakwood was built in replacement of Hotel Esther next to the water’s edge. These hotels welcomed travelers who wanted fresh air, lake breezes, and simple charm. By the 1910s and 1920s, postcards of the hotel and Oakwood Park were widely sold across Indiana, many of which still survive in museum collections and private archives.
A Golden Era of Lake Life (1930s–1950s)
Photographs from the DPLA and the Indiana Album show Oakwood in its mid-century prime. In the photos you can note porch railings lined with Adirondack chairs, Boaters arriving for lunch, Summer programs echoing across the hilltop, and Guests swimming from the docks at dusk. The 1940s hotel, often referred to simply as the Oakwood Hotel, became a beloved stop for campers and vacationers exploring Lake Wawasee, which by then was already considered one of Indiana’s premier lake destinations. Local residents still recall dances, concerts, and dinners hosted there, events that helped solidify Oakwood’s identity as a place where community and celebration naturally thrive.
A Changing Landscape (Late 20th Century)
As time passed, the use of Oakwood Park as a formal camp and retreat center began to fade. Documents from the Syracuse Comprehensive Plan and local historical features indicate that by the 1990s, the grounds were used less for large church gatherings and more for smaller community events and seasonal activities. The property then entered a period of transition, but the charm of the lakefront remained unmistakable. Locals continued to visit the grounds for sunsets, strolls, and quiet reflection under the oaks.
A New Chapter: Oakwood Resort
The latest chapter of Oakwood’s history began when the buildings and property were reconstructed and reopened as Oakwood Resort by the Parent family, continuing the tradition of gathering, relaxation, and lakeside hospitality that began over a century earlier. While the buildings have evolved and modern comforts have been added, many things remain exactly as they were in 1893 such as the stunning hotel overlooking the lake, the cathedral-like canopy of oak trees, and the sense of peace and retreat that drew the original visitors Today, Oakwood Resort welcomes guests for weddings, conferences, reunions, weekend getaways, and year-round lakefront dining.
It carries forward more than a century of tradition on the shores of Lake Wawasee.
Still a Place to Gather
From its origins as a humble campground to its decades as a beloved lakeside hotel and retreat center, Oakwood has always been a place where people come together. That legacy continues today. Whether you’re arriving for a celebration, a quiet vacation, or simply a sunset dinner at The Pier & Back Porch, you’re becoming part of a story that began in the 19th century, and is still unfolding beside the largest natural lake in Indiana.
