THE CROW’S NEST
Nathaniel Crow probably never realized the versatility that his home would have over the years. Built in the late 1860s the house has had various uses, including an inn and home to a theatrical company as well as several Yacht Clubs. The original homestead of Nathaniel Crow is nestled among the newer homes that have been built on the eastern shore of Lake Wawasee, formerly Nine Mile Lake.
Over the years stories have circulated that Crow came to Kosciusko County with a horse or two and sold them to buy 1200 acres of land on this eastern shore of Lake Wawasee. Crow’s great-granddaughter Sandy Ulery corrects that story. Crow age 21, actually had boarded in Noble County with an uncle after leaving Ohio. He acquired land in Noble County while there. When he decided to move over to Kosciusko County he sold land in Noble County and was able to purchase land in the county. Late in life Nathaniel Crow was one of the largest landowners in the county.
In the late 1880s Crow began building a home for his oldest son. While under construction his son died. One day while Crow spent a day in Syracuse his wife and daughter moved into the empty house. The house that Crow built is large. It had nine bedrooms, eight upstairs and one down. There was a small living room and a parlor, a spacious dining room and a large country kitchen in the first floor. It also included a dumb waiter. In more recent years the home has seen some renovations. The dining area and former country kitchen have been remodeled to include restrooms and an industrial kitchen, and the downstairs bedroom was converted to a bar. Outside on a large lawn surrounding the home is a large bell, dated 1860. The bell was moved to the Crow property where it remains to this day.
Moving from the home toward the shore there is a deck built above the lake, which offers a panoramic view of much of the shore and water of Lake Wawasee. There is also a pier, which can house up to 28 boats. Near the boating pier is a separate swimming pier.
The home has been used for more than just a home for the Crow family. During the Depression, after losing her husband, Martha Crow Fick, known as Mattie Fick, leased the home to innkeepers for lodging purposes. Some of the money generated by this arrangement allowed her to go to nursing school, as well as having the home occupied. After her schooling was complete Mattie moved back to the home and became an innkeeper for a short while, according to Ulery.
Mattie leased the property to a theatrical troupe from Illinois for performances. The actors for these performances were lodged in the home and performed in a tent on the grounds. According to Ulery at one point a very strong storm destroyed the tent and forced the troupe to remodel the barn near the home to continue their performances. Several years later the troupe moved to Enchanted Hills Theater.
By the early 1960s the house was being leased to various yacht clubs. The present tenants are the Crow’s Nest Yacht Club, a group of sailboat enthusiasts. Leasing the home since 1977 the club has made the Crow’s Nest a haven of relaxation for their members. A wide porch made of fieldstone provides a cool and shady place to look at the lake. The facilities inside, according to Eber, are modern. There is a large kitchen with all the amenities, including a microwave, a dining room; gas grills (one near the dock) and eight sleeping rooms upstairs. The sleeping rooms are known collectively as the Topsiders.
The Crow’s Nest has many activities throughout the season such as many Saturday functions with all different themes and then you can go out on the Lake for the evening, they even have a 4th of July Parade with fireworks that you can watch from any of the three decks where you can see them from up to seven miles away. The Crow’s Nest is truly a relaxation getaway that you cannot only visit on the weekends if you’re a member you can come visit anytime during the week too. There are 15 sets of families that are currently members of all ages and they are all family oriented at the Crow’s Nest and we hope there will be many more to come. The Crow’s Nest Season is from April-November, and it’s 1,500 per season.
If you are interested in becoming a member contact Joe Foy at 1-260-484-6116. Down through the years the Crow’s Nest has provided many with fond memories. What other memories are in store for the Crow’s Nest? Only time will tell.
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