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Historical School House with Lake James chain access

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Outdoor dining
Dining
Smart TV
Exterior
Interior
Experience the charm of Angola's historic West Ward School, built in 1875. This unique home is a blend of architectural history and modern comforts, offering proximity to Trine University, Pokagon State Park, wineries, antique shops and The Outlet Shops. Guests can enjoy Lake James chain of lakes access with a dock for their boat.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Entire home

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historical School House with Lake James chain access

Ever want to stay in a historical place? Well this could be a good fit for you. This home was originally West Ward School built in 1875. It operated as a school until 1912. In 1935 a couple purchased and converted the building into their home. In 1967 Knight and Lucille Whitman purchased the home where she lived until 2001. Lucille had a high end dress and beauty shop here in Angola for decades. She was ahead of her time! You can enjoy all of the architectural attributes inside as well as outside. This property is close to Trine University, several golf courses, Pokagon State Park, wineries, antique shops, The Outlet Shops and the Lake James Chain of Lakes. A unique added benefit of this home is that it ALSO includes a place to dock your boat with Lake James chain of lakes access! Bring your own boat or rent one. Enjoy the very best of both worlds.

Angola is listed as one of the top 12 charming small towns in Indiana.

. https://www.purewow.com/family/small-towns-indiana

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 30
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Historical School House
Historical School House With Lake James Chain Access Angola

About the neighborhood

Located in Angola, this vacation home is in the city center. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Pokagon State Park and Ball Lake Nature Preserve, while Center For Performing Arts and Pleasant Lake History Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Angola Motor Speedway, or consider a night out at Red Barn Acres. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Angola, IN

What's nearby

  • Trine University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Zollner Golf Club - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Fox Lake - 5 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Lake James Golf Club - 9 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Pokagon State Park - 16 min drive - 14.0 km

Getting around

  • Waterloo Station - 19 min drive
  • Fort Wayne Intl. Airport (FWA) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Love's Travel Stop - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Buck Lake Bar & Grill - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Culver's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historical School House with Lake James chain access pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Historical School House with Lake James chain access?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historical School House with Lake James chain access?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historical School House with Lake James chain access located?

Located in the heart of Angola, this vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Trine University, Zollner Golf Club, and Center For Performing Arts. Lions Park and Booth Lake are also within 15 minutes.

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Historical School House with Lake James chain access Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 18 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fascinating old place

The main part of the house is a historic gem. Lots of room for our whole family.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Ronald

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This an older home with unique character. Plenty of bedroom space.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it overall.

Very eclectic and cozy! Loved the architecture and was very easy to access and communicate with owners. Would definitely go back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brett F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Guys trip

Stayed at house for bachelor party. Big yard to hang out in and play games. Very interesting house with cool historical background. Perfect place for large groups because it has so many rooms to sleep in.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Carol F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Lots of history

The property would benefit from a thorough cleaning. We needed to purchase more towels…there was only one towel per person. Everyone had their own space to sleep, which was great. It was overall an enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Weekend!

Our granddaughter was getting married at Cold Springs Resort so I was looking for a place that would accommodate 8 adults comfortably. At the time I looked this was the only listing that came up, and I was really excited about it. Needless to say it did not disappoint! Plenty of space, character and history! What a perfect weekend all around!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

S B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

About what was expected

It was a very old property. It could use new sheets and bed coverings. Some of the dishes seemed like they were put away dirty. All of our communications were pleasant.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Karen J S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Interesting old Victorian in a quiet neighborhood

This large old house is a work-in-progress. With 5 bedrooms, there was plenty of room for my family- 4 adults & 2 children (6 & 12). Bedrooms were spacious and quiet, but the mattresses were uncomfortable for 3 of the adults. 3 full bathrooms were a nice surprise. The kitchen was small, but very well equipped. Multiple floor levels posed a tripping hazard for older adults /younger kids. The air conditioning was a welcome feature in the 90+ heat. We all enjoyed the atmosphere of the old place. Once it is fully restored, it will be lovely!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Trina B., Evansville, IN

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy

school house rock

A couple hours of yard work/cleanup would make the initial impression much better. There was a pile of yard junk in the covered area on the garage. The perimeter of the yard was overgrown. Nothing a couple hours of weeding and trimming wouldn't fix. It had been raining there for several days. Yard work can easily get ahead of you when that happens. Due to the rain, there were some funky smells. They dissipated during the week, with the help of fans and a/c units with dehumidifiers. Owner was great and responded quickly when called about a minor electrical shortage. She was also great with a slip for the boat we had for the week. Very helpful and super considerate! One thought, there are several small level differences in room entries and up the stairs. If you have toddlers with you, you might want to bring a safety gate for their protection and your relaxation level! Great character in the school house. Love the pictures and history left for us to read!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding stay

We had a great time at the historical school house. Lots of space and room for everyone to hang out and not feel cramped. Big yard and patio area allowed us to keep the fun going outside as well. Highly recommend this property for future vacations.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

2/10 Terrible

Emily S., Minneapolis, MN

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

needs a clean out

I hate to leave a negative review but the lack of cleanliness and the assortment of old, rundown furniture can't be overlooked! This historic school itself is really awesome- the actual structure of the original part with the refurbished wood floors. Why the current owner would fill it with a TON of rundown couches, coffee tables, chairs, lamps from the 60's, 70's, 80's is just weird! Then adding a bunch of fake plants and bowls of pinecones that are never dusted- why? There was dust everywhere and all the plates, utensils etc had to be rewashed before using because they felt sticky. The bathrooms were clean and we didn't mind the funkiness of the pink 50's tile in one or the red sink, textured wallpaper 60's vibe of one of the others but one of the toilets wouldn't flush properly and that is a problem. The icky 70's addition onto the original schoolhouse should be closed off. It's off-putting, especially entering the house that way. Why not use the beautiful original front door? When you enter through the addition, it immediately smells like mildew and we found out why when it rained: water seeps in that entry door on to the carpet. The upstairs bedroom was the only room that felt open and airy because the windows actually open (unlike downstairs) and it's not overrun with old furniture. BUT take it a step further and get new curtains and fan and get rid of the dusty blinds and old fan! Has so much potential but needs a major clean out!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Jack F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great intern location

This property was convenient and met all our needs. The owners are pleasant to deal with. It is easy to reach all area attractions and restaurants.
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Nathan M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion Visit

Proximity was great for a family reunion on Lake James. We enjoyed the space and had a great time visiting. While we enjoyed the history of the school house, we wish it had been cleaned a bit more thoroughly. Thanks for helping us make the family reunion!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Dawn S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Time

The property was very unquice. The living room was amazing it afforded a space for all of us to sit comfortably and be together in one room. Their was plenty of beds and bathrooms that you never had to wait when one was in use.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Jarrell W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Rain, rain go away. Yea, it did.

We all agreed we would bypass properties that say “historic “ The property is great for …., but not us. The was only one TV and all the lights outlets had low wattage bulbs. Mildew was a problem in one bathroom. Furniture is a bit worn but there is plenty of it. Yet we still had a good time cause the place was big enough for the 10 of us.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Mary G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lots of space for our big family

We had 8 adults and an infant. It’s not easy finding places to accommodate such a large group. This property had plenty of space and we really enjoyed playing games outdoors under the lights. Though no fault of the owners we watched a neighbors car get repo’d last night. We loved the character of this historic property. Being an older home there were some minor maintenance and/or cleaning issues that needed attending to, but nothing that negatively affected our stay. We appreciated that the owner brought a high chair and crockpot for us to use and allowed us to check in earlier than the stated check-in time. The property is right by (one block) Trine University on a huge lot with a nice yard and fire pit. The kitchen had lots of dishes, utensils and cook/bakeware. The linens were of nice quality. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

David F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun and Unique House

We enjoyed our stay. Close to many attractions including golf, lakes and bars. Very unique home
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

We really enjoyed our stay. The fire pit was fun. The owner was very responsive. Was a great “meet in the middle place” to get together.