O'Connor's Landing - The Lodge

The Lodge

The Lodge was built in 1908 with seven sleeping rooms. In 1914, a two-story section of the grocery was built with three rooms above for the use of those operating the business. In 1929, two rooms were added behind the grocery where bathers checked their clothes in baskets and rented swimming clothes. However, these were subsequently torn down in 1933 and an office was added. In 1930, three booths were placed along the front windows for soda pop, sandwiches, and near-beer. Slot machines lined the front porch a few years, until a new sheriff was elected who disapproved of them. In 1952, the upstairs was renovated into four bedrooms, and added to the west end of the building were two upstairs and two downstairs rooms. A west dining room was added after the Department of Education from Columbus, Ohio needed a place for meetings. Two minnow pools were located near the pump house that supplied water to the East cottages. The minnows were eventually moved to a small room on the marina side of the general store and kept in old electric soda pop coolers along with 6 horse motors for the boat rentals. Around 1976, the daily operations were assumed by Tom O'Connor, Jr. and the Lodge evolved into a robust area restaurant with a well known Friday night seafood buffet and a Sunday morning breakfast buffet. Broasted chicken was the most famous draw. A lighthouse and expanded dining was added in the winter of 1984 and 1985. The lodge burned down on June 14, 1985. The large oak trees remain and are the constant as they were their before, during, and now after the lodge.