Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Shady Beach

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

1. Shady Beach Marker

Top caption
Like many GOTL businesses, Shady Beach used postcards and brochures for advertising (above). Below, Durwood Bowers is out in front, pipe in mouth, for this group photo of the staff and guests.

Lower Right caption
A tennis court was added in the 1920s

Lower Left caption
Right; Shady Beach Annex, still standing, provided beach access for guests.

Inscription. Hotel Shady Beach was built in 1896 by Warren and Ida Avis Putnam Spencer. Ida was the daughter of George C. and Mary "Polly” Temple Putnam, who owned the Fitch house and Grand View Farm to the west.

Arthur B. Bowers and his wife, Fannie, were the next owners. Their son and daughter-in-law, Durwood and Helen Bowers, were the last to operate it.

The hotel operated on the American plan, which provided room and meals. "Our garden supplies our table,” declared a 1922 newspaper ad. The ad also announced completion of “one of the finest tennis courts at the lake.” Every room had hot and cold running water as early as the 1920s. A week at Shady Beach (ca. 1950s) cost $57 under the American plan, or $28 for the room only.

The village purchased the Shady Beach property on the south side of Lake Road for a recreation park in 1975. The Shady Beach Annex, across the street, is a privately owned residence.

Erected by Sponsored by Betty and Duane Feher.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 41° 51.589′ N, 80° 57.336′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. Marker can be reached from Lake Road East (Ohio Route 531) 0.1 miles west

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of Jolly Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5539 Lake Rd E, Geneva OH 44041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Popcorn Ball (a few steps from this marker); Gas Stations (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pergola Gardens (about 700 feet away); Pera's Kiddieland (about 800 feet away); The New Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pier Ballroom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Miniature Golf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ransom E. Olds-Birthplace (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geneva.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

2. Shady Beach Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.