Our Roots
The Monon Era
ca. 1895- 1914
 In
1881, the Monon Railroad was completed and
originally skirted the western shore of Cedar Lake.
The
railroad considered the possibility of
running special excursion trains daily
to and from the lake, which at the time,
were known to many as a quiet fishing
and camping adventure. The railroad
envisioned hotels and a park, where
people could relax and enjoy themselves.
They also envisioned two depots along
the lakeshore. About that time, the railroad established a picnic
grounds about two blocks south of where the conference
center sits today. It was called Monon Park. By 1895, it was a
popular place for picnic groups from Chicago and was
becoming congested. More space was needed. At about
that same time, the Monon Railroad purchased twenty
acres of land and moved the park to where Cedar
Lake Ministries is located. By
1890, Monon Park was considered a huge
success. The grounds were crowded on a
daily basis. In May of
1897, the dancing pavilion, now Torrey Auditorium,
the old dining hall and the bowling alley were
completed.
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