I wrote a column a couple months ago about a trip my older sister Pam hosted for me to Las Vegas to see film classic “The Wizard of Oz” as presented at the now-famed orb-shaped venue Sphere.
This prompted a reader email question from Christine Whaley of Palm Harbor, Florida.
“Hi Phil and glad you are doing well! Quick question! My mother-in-law lives in Knox, Ind. and often goes to Bass Lake. She recently just discovered that hotel on the lake was known as the Wizard of Oz Lodge. Did you ever write about this? I tried doing some research online but kept hitting paywalls on the different news sites. Appreciate any help! – Christine”
Reader Christine’s question isn’t as common as this one that I receive so often: “How did the character of Toto the dog from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ fame really get his name?”
Canine question answered first.
Because Oz author L. Frank Baum wrote the first book in his popular “Oz” series while dreaming and typing away at the family’s cottage along Bass Lake in Knox in Starke County, in my opinion and from my own local research, I believe the Toto tag came from just down the (not yellow brick) road: the tiny produce market square and shopping berg of Toto, Indiana.
To the contrary, historians argue Baum wrote the first book in 1900 with the character of Toto included, and had yet to spend time at Bass Lake.
As for Christine’s mom’s query, she is correct about the themed “Oz” lodge at Bass Lake, Indiana.
In the decades following the author’s death in 1919, his son ran an expanded Oz-themed resort/hotel that stayed open through the late 1960s. Built in 1907 as the Center View Hotel at Bass Lake, Baum’s son Harry Neal Baum, one of the author’s four sons, purchased the property and re-launched it in 1960 as The Wizard of Oz Lodge or “Ozcot” as the shortened brand.
Still, a search of databases for other towns or villages named “Toto” around the world comes up with only two answers: Toto in Indiana and (of special interest for 1980s pop music enthusiasts) the Toto that is located in the Western Congo of Southwest Africa.
When Baum wrote his first “Wizard of Oz” book in 1900, Baum and wife Maud and their four sons lived in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. Many Chicago families spent their weekends away from the city life (and especially summer heat) to embrace the bucolic landscapes of Northwest Indiana’s lakes and farms. Therefore, it’s not out of the question that Baum could have crossed paths with tiny Toto, Indiana, as the book character’s name.
When I graduated from Valparaiso University in 1992, I worked at The South Bend Tribune as one of my first contributing feature writer opportunities. Looking through The South Bend Tribune newspaper archives, in the Aug. 28, 1968, classified section of The South Bend Tribune reads the sale ad for the closing of The Wizard of Oz Lodge as follows: “PUBLIC AUCTION SALE for Wizard of Oz Lodge and Real Estate of Aug. 31. The well-known Wizard of Oz Lodge on beautiful Bass Lake, 1 mile north of State Beach on the east side of the lake is for sale, including 17 rooms, 4 baths, all furnished including full facilities of a restaurant and dining room. Situated on 144 feet of lake frontage and beautiful sand beach. AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: This is a going business and wonderful opportunity for someone to continue it as a lodge or ideal for more than 1 family. OWNER: Brenda Baum.”
This week, “Wizard of Oz” enthusiasts, like Christine’s mom, have the chance to attend a free lecture from 5-7 p.m. CST Tuesday, Oct. 28, at The Henry F. Schricker Knox Branch of the Starke County Public Library, 152 West Culver Road in Knox. Librarian and historian Laura Keyes will present the event and promises “to separate fact from fiction.” For more information, call 574-772-7323 or visit www.scpls.org.
This beautiful library building is named for Indiana’s 36th and 38th governor, Henry F. Schricker, who died in 1966 at the age of 83. He was born and raised in our own neighboring farm town, North Judson, and he and wife Maude are both buried just down the street from the library in Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox.
A cover story on the food section of the May 28, 1950, Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans included one of Governor Schricker’s favorite cookie recipes. Hoosier first lady Maude explained her husband “doesn’t care much for pudding or cakes but he likes a full cookie jar.” Her gingerbread cookies ranked at the top of the governor’s sweet favorites.
Next up for “Oz” enthusiasts is next month’s Nov. 21 opening of the second installment of the “Wicked” film franchise titled “Wicked: For Good.”
Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is a radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.
Maude Schricker’s Ginger-Molasses Cookies
Makes 6 dozen cookies
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sour cream
1 cup molasses, sorghum
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons vinegar
6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
Directions:
1. Mix sugar and shortening together and beat in cream and molasses.
2. Add eggs and spices, stirring in well.
3. Stir in soda mixed with the vinegar.
4. Stir in flour a little at a time, enough to make a soft dough.
5. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
6. Turn to floured board and roll thick or thin.
7. Cut cookies square or round and bake at 400 degrees about 12 minutes.