| Webster Lake | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Kosciusko County, North Central Indiana |
| Group | Barbee lakes chain |
| Primary inflows | Spring Fed |
| Primary outflows | (into Blackwater Lake) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 640 acres (260 ha) |
| Max. depth | 65 ft (20 m) |
Lake Webster is a fresh water lake located in Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States. Formerly it was known as Boydston Lake. It borders the town of North Webster to the west of the lake.
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North Webster is home to the DIXIE, Indiana’s oldest sternwheel paddleboat. The Dixie has cruised Webster Lake since 1929, providing tours of the lake to generations of residents and visitors. A number of private owners cared for and operated the boat from 1929 until 2007 when title was transferred to a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation called Dixie Sternwheeler Inc. (DSI). DSI continues to operate the boat for regular summer cruises from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and to allow chartered events such as weddings, retirement home outings, and company and community gatherings. Regular cruises last about 75 minutes and are each evening Monday through Saturday and during the afternoon and evening on Sunday. Many of the regular cruises feature period music and a narration with some history of the area, the lake and the Dixie.
The Webster Lake dam was created at the southwestern point of the lake and a gristmill was built by a Ephriam Muirhead in 1837. This damming created one large lake from as many as seven smaller lakes. In 1842, Thomas Boydston purchased the gristmill. It is said that he is a descendant of Dr. Zabdiel Boylston. The mill served as a general store and post office in the 19th century. It burned in 1949 and replaced by the current dam.
The Yellow Banks hotel was formerly the M.J. France hotel (1902—1905). The Yellow Banks owned several yellow row boats for the use of its guests. It is said that when the boats were stored on the banks of the hotel property, the banks appeared yellow. Though unconfirmed, it has been said that John Dillinger and gang stayed at the Yellow Banks hotel in October, 1933, or April, 1934.