Russells Point in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Our Lady of Fatima
A Unique Feature of Indian Lake
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 5, 2017
1. Our Lady of Fatima Marker
Inscription.
Our Lady of Fatima. A Unique Feature of Indian Lake. In 1957, George B. Quatman purchased the west side of the Sandy Beach Amusement Park and the remainder on the east side in 1962. No alcohol or rock and roll music was permitted in the renovated Stardust Ballroom, Old Vienna Gardens and Plaza Hotel, now known collectively as the “San Juan Amusement Park.” Mr, Quatman named the park after the apostle Saint John, the protector of the Virgin Mary. He dedicated the park to St. John to protect every woman that came into the park, and operated on a tenet of up-lifting morals of teenagers. Mr. Quatman also installed an Attraction of life-sized statues of the Last Super, which was popular with park visitors. He was never in the amusement park business for personal gain and he donated all the profits to orphans, convents and other charitable causes.
Mr. Quatman’s devotion to the Virgin Mary inspired him to build what was the world’s largest statue of the Blessed Virgin at the time. The Our Lady of Fatima Monument (known as the “Our Lady of the Lake”) was erected during the summer of 1964 after six years of planning and design by the Lima architectural firm of Armstrong and Brown. It was unveiled to the public on June 28, 1964 with a more formal dedication held on August 30, 1964. The 9’ 6” statue is a shrine to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary which occurred in Fatima, Portugal, six times in May to October 1917.
The Statue overlooks Indian Lake from the location called “St. Mary’s Point” and was dedicated to the St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church of Russels Point. It was cast of fiberglass in Miami, Florida and was erected atop a concrete pedestal. Originally a colored water display graced the base of the monument. 7 ½ minutes of music played in 15 minute intervals and the statue rotated 360 degrees. Park visitors could get a closer look at the statue by catching a ride on a miniature passenger train that circled the park and grounds. George B. Quatman passed away at age of 74 on Sept. 25, 1964, less than one month after the statue’s formal dedication. Each year on August 15th, a Catholic mass is held at the base of the statue and attended by residents from all over this part of Ohio.
In 1957, George B. Quatman purchased the west side of the Sandy Beach Amusement Park and the remainder on the east side in 1962. No alcohol or rock and roll music was permitted in the renovated Stardust Ballroom, Old Vienna Gardens and Plaza Hotel, now known collectively as the “San Juan Amusement Park.” Mr, Quatman named the park after the apostle Saint John, the protector of the Virgin Mary. He dedicated the park to St. John to protect every woman that came into the park, and operated on a tenet of up-lifting morals of teenagers. Mr. Quatman also installed an Attraction of life-sized statues of the Last Super, which was popular with park visitors. He was never in the amusement park business for personal gain and he donated all the profits to orphans, convents and other charitable causes.
Mr. Quatman’s devotion to the Virgin Mary inspired him to build what was the world’s largest statue of the Blessed Virgin at the time. The Our Lady of Fatima Monument (known as the “Our Lady of the Lake”) was erected during the summer of 1964 after six years of planning and design by the Lima architectural firm of Armstrong and Brown. It was unveiled to the public on June 28, 1964 with a more formal dedication held on August 30, 1964. The 9’ 6” statue is a shrine to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary which occurred
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in Fatima, Portugal, six times in May to October 1917.
The Statue overlooks Indian Lake from the location called “St. Mary’s Point” and was dedicated to the St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church of Russels Point. It was cast of fiberglass in Miami, Florida and was erected atop a concrete pedestal. Originally a colored water display graced the base of the monument. 7 ½ minutes of music played in 15 minute intervals and the statue rotated 360 degrees. Park visitors could get a closer look at the statue by catching a ride on a miniature passenger train that circled the park and grounds. George B. Quatman passed away at age of 74 on Sept. 25, 1964, less than one month after the statue’s formal dedication. Each year on August 15th, a Catholic mass is held at the base of the statue and attended by residents from all over this part of Ohio.
Erected 2017 by The Indian Lake Historical Society.
Location. 40° 28.378′ N, 83° 53.697′ W. Marker is in Russells Point, Ohio, in Logan County. Marker is on West Main Street (Ohio Route 366), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 5, 2017
2. Our Lady of Fatima Marker
at or near this postal address: 100 West Main St, Russells Point OH 43348, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,304 times since then and 625 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
