In 1919 the area now called Sunset Park was owned by Joseph Johnson and B. B. Baker. The land was not developed. In the 1920’s Indiana Hydro-Electric Power Company purchased the land surrounding the Tippecanoe River. The river was dammed at Norway. Norway Dam was completed June of 1923. Oakdale Dam was completed in 1925. John Shafer, a civil engineer and one time Monticello native, along with New York City Engineer Roger M. Freeman, became construction engineers of the New Indiana Hydro-Electric Power Company.

The creation of Lake Freeman and Lake Shafer opened the door for many resorts and cottages to be built along the newly formed shoreline. Upper Sunset Park is located on Lake Freeman. Lake Freeman measures 1,547 acres and is approximately 12 miles long, with an average depth of 16 feet.

In 1934 Roy Conrad purchased land on the south side of the Tioga Bridge. The land was vacant. The old State Highway 39 used to be across the Tioga Bridge. Mr. Conrad sold 3 acres where the old State Highway Garage stands today, his daughter Becky stated, so there would be another light in the vicinity. This purchase in 1934 was from bankrupt Indiana Life Insurance that started the plans for the Sunset Park Country Club.

Investors from Chicago built a golf course. They expected people from Chicago to ride the Monon railroad from Chicago for a day of golfing and fishing. They would then return to Chicago by train that night. For some reason this club never got opened. Land currently on North Upper LakeShore Drive was once recorded as Country Club Dr. per plat maps owned by Jim Shaver. His Mother's parents had one of the first homes in the park, which was built by Mary Hummels' parents and still stands today in good condition. Jim has many pictures and records of the home and lake. The Shaver family spends summers on the lake to this day.

Sportsman Inn

The Sportsman Inn was a success and served fish from the river. Mr. Conrad would help catch the fish in the morning and they were served in the evening. Mr. Conrad was also an Indiana State Senator and utilized the Sportsman for the 2nd District Republican Party. It was known as the Sportsman Restaurant until 1966 when the Motel was built. Nelson Rockerfeller referred to it as "The Inn" and thus it was renamed the Sportsman Inn. After the death of the Conrads the property was sold. Then slated to be torn down, the "local folk" refused to let the historical landmark be lost. The current owner took up the cause and restored the building even after much had been destroyed. It operates today under the same name today. It also holds a place of historical value to Indiana and Sunset Park to this day.

*Other investors were O.W. Macy’s incorporated. Oscar Wendell Macy was President and Wippy Voigt and Mel Hubbard were partners in this construction firm. The property at the top of the Bayou was owned by O.W. Macy Inc. When the current home site was purchased in 1974, a pond was engineered and created by the water drainage from under Highway 39 and Holiday Haven Road and was in good working order. It had a four-foot dam at the entrance to the canal. A catch basin with a check valve was opened and closed to maintain the water levels at four feet. It was stocked with fish and fish were hatched out in the pond. In 1984 the new pond owner dredged out the pond and filled in much of it. The dam was taken out and today the catch basin is all that remains.

On June 28, 1961 Bill Luse Jr. was 42 years old. While working on the completion of the stern-wheel Excursion Craft, which was 95% completed, there was an explosion that killed 17 year old James Morecraft. It injured and badly burned 5 others; Bill Luse Jr., Jack Puterbaugh 35, Vaughn Matthews 32, Aaron Crump 45, and Harley VanMeter. The first boat, called The Robert E. Lee, had a paddle wheel which was later removed. This is reported to be the largest inland boat operating on Indiana rivers today. Cruises are held on the weekends during the summer months, with many benefits held on the boat as well.

In 1939, State Highway 39 was moved to its current location. This created a need for a new bridge (pictured above). Locals called it the Iron Bridge or Green Bridge as it was made of iron and painted green. In 2000 the bridge was torn down and replaced with the current Captain Bill Luse Bridge. Captain Bill Luse, until the time of his death, owned and operated the Madam Carroll pleasure excursion boat for many years. Afterwhich, his Grandson took over the boat, had major renovations done and operated it until recently when he was accidentally killed while working on one of the dams. The boat continues to run to this day and is still owned by the Luse family.

The creation of the dams made Upper Sunset Park unique as most of the lake access ground was owned by what is now called the Northern Indiana Public Service Company. NIPSC0 allotted to resident homeowners a lifetime easement right of $10.00 for a right to cross their land and build a dock or pier. In 1994 NIPSCO gave the land to the State of Indiana and it soon became apparent that the State did not have the resources in the Department of Natural Resources(DNR) to manage it. The State then gave the land to the newly formed, non-profit, SFLECC. The SFLECC then revoked the lifetime access permits and a new annual fee was assessed and paid to them.

Mary Catherine Hummel and Wilbert J Shaver

Up until this time the Upper Sunset Park Community Club, as it was known then, was in control of the street lighting, and general business of the park. In 1996, the SFLECC sent notices to certain residents of Upper Sunset Park stating they must form an organization that would be in control of all matters pertaining to Lake Freeman including their access to the lake. An organizational meeting was held on March 9, 1996. At this time, a Board of Trustees and a Constitution and by-laws were formed. A contract was signed with the SLFECC on May 27 1998 which gives the USPA control over the Lake easements, as well as other matters pertaining to the area. The first president of the Board of Trustees was Carrie Kendell. Now the Association collects the annual dues, street lighting fees and shore front licensing fees. On May 7,1998 the Association applied to be incorporated and is now incorporated.

Front row: Henry and Alice Deerberg
Back row: Wilbert and Mary Catherine Shaver(the one lone man unidentified).

In 1947 the first governing board was called Upper Sunset Park Community Club. Meetings took place at the guest home of Leslie Harshberger. There were 9 charter members. Henry Barnes, Wm. Lautensloger, Henry Ulrick, Louis DeFabis, Gust Johnson, Paul Orstadt, Ed Fulton, Art Moran and L.C. Harshbarger. At that time there were 40 cottages, 16 of which were permanent residences. Today there are over 100 homes and permanent residences in Upper Sunset Park.

Since the 1947 organizational meetings, progress has evolved from dirt roads, to gravel roads in 1948. By 1951 almost all the roads were black topped or oiled. Our current roads are North Upper Lake Shore Drive, Lookout Dr. and cross roads Freeman Lane and Fairway Lane. Country Club Drive is now North Upper Lake Shore Drive. In 1974 the post office renamed the 1300 block of North Upper Lake Shore Dr. to Lookout Drive. In September of 1996 the entire park was given 911 addresses.

In 1953 the need for street lighting was addressed. On June 4, 1954, 14 street lights were installed and placed in operation.
 

Back left to right: Bob Foltz, Rosa Hummel, Mrs. Foltz. and Charlie Hummel
Front row: Mr. and Mrs. John Hummel

Also in 1947 only men were allowed to be members. In 1949 ladies were given the right to attend the meetings. Membership in Upper Sunset Park Community Club was now open to men and women. In 1951, with over 100 homes in the park, and 55 members, it was voted that wives and families were to be included and a yearly dinner was to be held. It was held at the City Park in June of each year. April 24, 1967 the original Upper Sunset Park Community Club by-laws were accepted an approved by the following members; Orville Alkire, R.D. Bentlage, Walter Dismore, Russel and Gladys Iverson, Jim Kubly, John Mutschler, Kathryn Pleasant, Malcom Ross, Howard Snowberger, Joseph Schmitter and Dwain Wigner. Upper Sunset Park Association now holds general membership meetings two times per year at the easement of Dave and Nelita Weaver on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The summer of 2008 was the first picnic dinner for the entire association for many years.

There have been many businesses on Highway 39 and in the Sunset Park area throughout history. Some of them were a General Store and Bait Shop owned by Alice DeFabis and one by Richard and Thelma Baer. Later in 1968, Prairie Farms had a small office building occupied by their business. Ray and Edith Gooding operated True Flight Arrow, an arrow manufacturing plant, and Rays Archery opened up an Archery practice shop. Mrs. Kubley operated a Beauty shop in her home for many years. In 1983 the Sunset Park Beauty Salon was opened. Mrs. Margaret (Louise)L. Bowsher also operated a Beauty Shop in 1969. It was in the small converted one car garage that now belongs to Peters and Jones which adjourns Carol Beecher's property. Shelia Grist operated the Pup and Float drive in curbside restaurant. Next to the Pup and Float was Brinson Bakery a Donut shop. Lakeshore Marina was owned by Bowsher’s which was replaced by the Madam Carroll and Ralph and Mary Kay Tyler’s Frozen Custard stand. At this time only Prairie Farms, which has expanded and built onto the location of Rays Archery vacated building, and SunSet Park Salon remain as local businesses.
 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert and Mary Catherine (Hummel) Shaver

With the death of Russell and Gladys(Polly) Iverson, who served as secretary of the Association for many years, the neighborhood watch from their sunroom ended. It only took a few years for the residents to feel the need for some crime surveillance. Sandra Hathaway and Nelita Weaver organized the Neighborhood Watch program with the Carroll County Sheriffs Department in 2003. Dorothy Rader, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Good and Sandra Hathaway worked on the Crime Watch afterwards for the organization.

Jim Premeske noted the need for a Sunset Park Newsletter. He started the first published newsletters for the park which were distributed in the spring and fall annually. This is mailed to all Upper Sunset Park members. It gives a summary of current events and future plans in the park and a notice of meetings and agendas.

Joe Crivello has organized a Lake Freeman Boat Parade that takes place in July. It starts at Oakdale Dam and ends at the Sportsman Inn. Prizes are awarded to the best-decorated boat. This new event to the park is growing rapidly and now covers afternoon events at the City Park. This was started in 2005.

On April 24, 1967, the Community Club adopted by-laws that required at the time of death, flowers shall be sent to any members in good standing or to the immediate family residing in the park. For many years Bernice Snowberger faithfully collected money for flowers and the balance of the cost paid for by the Community Club. The last few years the Club has tended to sending flowers to the Funeral Home.

Every 10 years, NIPSCO drains the lakes down to the river level to inspect and repair the Dams as seen in the picture below.

Don and Sandra Pugh and daughter Debbie

In 1999 Carol Beecher compiled a booklet that listed all the property owners in the park, with locations on a plat map, permanent and summer address, and the new 911 address. Information on Carroll County Officials and surrounding entertainment was also listed. The 911 management supplied a map of Upper Sunset Park with each home and 911 address.

Clean up days, and garage sales, were organized by Dave Garver in 2005. The minutes of the 1950 meeting speak on the need to have weeds and general clean up in the Park. The Association now pays for a dumpster or two if needed for June clean up days. Neighborhood garage sales are also held at or around this time. The USPA also has a pet leash and clean up rule.

For many years, location of Lake Easements and who had them had been a large issue. Norb Fisher and the Association voted to hire Bill Stine to survey the NIPSCO shore front easements. This work was completed in 2007. Each easement stake was cemented with the easement identification number and is a great asset for ready identification of the easements and for real estate sales of Lake homes in the Upper Sunset Park area.

On January 8 of 2008, Monticello and nearby communities had the 100-year flood. The two dams, Norway and Oakdale, with almost all the original structures, withheld the large amounts of water. The inspection after the flood showed no structural defects or damages. However, Upper Sunset Park suffered some minor damage to docks and piers as other areas of Lake Freeman, Lake Shafer and surrounding communities suffered larger damages to personal property, businesses and homes.

Click here for pictures

The most recent project occurring in Upper Sunset Park has been the installation of sewers by the Twin Lakes Sewer District. At this time the entire park has grinder pumps installed and is slated for connection in April of 2009. *A parcel of land owned in 1947 by Harry B. Ulrich and deed of sale to Phillip DeFabis recorded April 9, 1947 at 1:00 pm notary Regina Freeman Revenue Stamps .55 cents. Stated subject to following conditions and restrictions: (2) no outside toilets shall ever be built or used on the above-described premises. (3) All toilets and water connections used on said premises must be properly connected with and used in connection with a septic tank so that no impurities may escape from said premises into Lake Freeman.
 

Aerial view of Upper Sunset Park today

Acknowledgements:
Jim Shaver and Carol Beecher; Upper Sunset Park Association History Committee
Becky Conrad
Carroll Co. and White Co. Historical Society
Minutes of the Upper Sunset Park Association
Upper Sunset Park Association Newsletters
Carroll County Planning Commission