Abram Jones established the Jones Hotel on Turkey Lake’s north side, which would later become Lake Wawasee, in 1881. Named for his daughter, he ran the Anna Jones riverboat on the lake. Ann Carceau donated the photo.
Editor’s Note: This is the first of two articles about the Abram Jones Family, who will be the subject of the Centennial Family exhibit at the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum this summer.
HYRACUSE Following the Jones family in the Syracuse-Wawasee region literally results in a lot of interesting stories!
To take over the railroad’s pumping station, the Abram Jones family arrived in this area in 1874 on the first train to pass through town on the newly finished Baltimore and Ohio Railroad rails.
He established Wawasee’s first hostelry, the Jones Hotel, in 1881. In honor of his daughter, he named the riverboat he brought to the lake the Anna Jones. His eponymous second steamboat grew to be the biggest steamer to ever operate in the lake. Compared to the present Lillypad II, it was six feet longer!
After operating until 1920, the Jones Hotel was replaced with a stunning residence at Pier 774.
In 1920, Abram’s son opened Wilmet A. Jones and Sons (W.A. Jr. and Daniel) Dairy on CR 775E, distributing to homes near Lake Wawasee, as well as to homes in Syracuse and Cromwell. On Sundays, deliveries were made to grocery stores and hotels.
From 1920 to 1952, Wilmet A. Jones and Sons Dairy supplied milk products to homes throughout the Lakes region. Today, the original big barn is a landmark. Ann Garceau donated the photo.
W.A. Jr. sold his stake to his brother and father in 1942. In 1952, Warsaw-based Crystal Dairy purchased the business and relocated it there. North of the Wawasee Golf Course and the former airport site, and east of Boner Lake, the original silo and big barn still stand.
At Syracuse High School, Abram Jones’ great-grandchildren Jackie Jones (Dunithan), Daniel W. Bill/Danny Bill Jones, Judy Jones (Eggers), and Mick Jones all excelled academically, in leadership roles, and in athletics.
Mick served his country in the Air Force, and Danny Bill served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
The other cousins, despite Danny Bill’s passing, were very supportive and helpful to the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum in assembling this summer’s Centennial Family exhibit case, which is housed in the Syracuse Community Center lobby at 1013 N. Long Drive.
The Wawasee Motel in the Village and Wilmet A. Jones Jr. are the next highlights.
