Friday, May 15, 2015

Fox Lake Historical Meeting March 21, 2015-- Part 3: The Mineola and Wrestling

Today's talk was Show and tell.  Takes you right back to your school days.  I always look forward to this as the folks bring in some real interesting stuff.

KEYS FROM THE MINEOLA HOTEL--  This is the grand old lady of the Chain of Lakes located in Fox Lake and, sadly, fast deteriorating.  A set of brass keys used on the bigger rooms was shown by Paul Jackstas, son of the owners and brother of current owner, Pete.  His parents took over the hotel in 1943.

They signed a three-year lease in 1943 and would close the place in the fall and reopen it in the spring.  They bought the place in 1948.  His family lived in rooms in back of the hotel.

He said they had skeleton keys which would open any door at the Mineola.

WRESTLING POSTER--  Wrestling was real big in the Fox Lake area in the 1960s and 1970s.  Wrestling posters would be stapled to area telephone poles.  The Chain of Lakes American Legion even today hosts POWW Wrestling events on an almost monthly basis and draws well.  Great entertainment for your $15.

--Full Nelson Boy.  --PinCooter

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