KLA Cadet Jennifer Stouder, DePuy Synthes, discuss the history of Winona Lake with Terry White, Winona Lake historian and author.

By JONI TRUEX
KLA Public Information Director

The Kosciusko Leadership Academy Class of 2014/2015 held their last regular session at Westminster, Winona Lake. Terry White, author, Winona Lake, informed the KLA cadets about the history of Winona Lake. “Winona 100, Third Wave Rising” is a published collaboration between Terry White and Dr. Steve Grill.

Winona Lake has a rich history with many famous people having visited and/or lived here. The Chautauqua programs were very popular and drew many notable persons, such as aviator Glenn Curtiss, Polar explorer Admiral Richard Byrd, William Jennings Bryant and Helen Keller. Mrs. George Pickett, Booker T. Washington, Will Rogers, Sgt. Alvin York (World War II hero), John Phillip Sousa, Thomas R. Marshall and James Whitcomb Riley also appeared in Winona Lake, among many others.

Billy Graham’s ministry was started in Winona Lake. Billy Sunday preached to over 100 million people in his lifetime.

The Village at Winona project, a lasting tribute to Dr. Dane Miller and Mary Louise Miller, brought the tourist industry back to Winona Lake. The Village is home to excellent restaurants; the Winona Lake Hotel (which has been restored and converted to condominiums); and a variety of shops. The Winona Lake Museum, located in the Westminster, houses many historical artifacts from the Winona Lake of yesterday.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.

KLA Cadet Kristi Martin, Syracuse-Wawasee Chaber of Commerce; Brad Shupe, Hylant; and KLA Moderator Allyn Decker discuss the history of the county. (Photos by Joni Truex)