History of Smith's Cottage
Eris Thompson’s mother, Roberta Smith inherited her Grandmother Ellen Locke McCormick’s farm in Sabael in 1930. Roberta had been raised by her grandmother Ellen after her mother Minny Osgood died while giving birth to Roberta in 1900.
Roberta and her husband Byron Smith had six children. In the early 30’s the Smiths began renting extra bedrooms, mainly to the overflow guests from the nearby Indian Lake House, which was owned by Ellen McCormick’s sister and her husband, Doctor and Mrs. Bonesteel.
Before long, boarders began asking for meals at the farm house (now known as the Main Lodge). So in 1931 Roberta began serving meals and the farm became known as Smith’s Cottage. At long last Byron received his $500 bonus check from World War I which he used to build cottages #1 and #2. The other cottages were numbered as they were built with the exception of cottage # 7.
Cottage #7 (the red camp) was not built on its present location. Originally the cottage was part of Camp Sabael located on the southeastern shoreline of Indian Lake. It was constructed by David Alexander Scott who died in 1890. His children occupied the cottage until 1898 when the Indian Lake dam was constructed. A number of cottages were condemned because of the impending rise in the surface of the lake. The building was purchased and brought across the lake on the ice and set up in its present location.
Ironically this was the same cottage where Roberta’s stepmother, Agnes Osgood, had worked as a maid for the Scotts. Shortly after cottage # 6 was constructed by Byron, the Smiths purchased this cottage which became # 7.
For over 35 years all guests at Smith’s Cottage were served meals at the Main Lodge. Roberta often served as many as 50 people per day. The ringing of the dinner bell was a common sound in the area. Byron lent a hand, frying meats, sausage and pancakes. He also grew fresh vegetables and his eggs and chickens were table fare. Byron also guided fishermen and hunters who were guests. Many hunters stayed at the main lodge in those days. Roberta served an early and late breakfast for them and provided a bag lunch for every hunter. Roberta and Byron came to be viewed as “family” by the many vacationers who returned year after year.
In the late 60’s the cottages were converted to light housekeeping units. Upon the passing of Roberta and Byron, Smith’s Cottage was taken over by Eris Thompson, their eldest daughter, who along with her husband, Bill, has run the cottage business and The Lake Store.