This large historic lake cottage was first built as a boathouse and fishing lodge around 1900. It sits right on the lake on a large piece of property in the middle of the historic East shore, comfortably sleeping 13 people with our 5 bedrooms. There are 2 large dinning tables accommodating up to 20, it makes a wonderful space for families or groups of friends. Lounge on the large screened-in porch, and enjoy our huge grassy lawn for sunning and recreation. Ours is one of the few walk out flat lawns to the lake making it easy to watch and play with your children as you can access the lake from ankle deep waters. You can swim, sun, fish and play from the end of the dock in waist-high waters. We have a pontoon boat available to rent separately from the house of a boat lift we can make available for rent if you'd like to bring to bring your own. We also have water toys, floats and a kayak for your enjoyment. The lake is great for skiing and tubing, and the sailing & the eastside sunsets can't be beat! The Culver Academies are about a 5 minute drive from our house and 7 minutes from town where you can find several wonderful restaurants, an old-fashion root beer stand and a great public beach and playground. We are also within a 5 minute drive from the Culver marina where you can rent boats, dine in their bar or outdoor grill and shop in their awesome apparel and lake sport shops.
There is also a new cottage that shares the property and pier, and it is available for rent and sleeps 6- 8 (see Ball Family Cottage (559346) Culver listings). You might want to rent both for an even larger gathering!
Property manager
Janet Ball Starkey
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
There's an additional charge for events.
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Wedding & Events & parties are possible when renting both properties and consent from the owner.
For events and catered dinners an additional fee @ $300 for a group of 20 people , $675 for additional 40 people, $1500 for maximum of 100 people.
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: 75
Note from host: there's an additional charge for events.
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Culver
Located in Culver, this holiday home is on a lake. Eppley Auditorium and Fulton County Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Culver Academies Golf Course and Fort Knox Paintball, Inc.. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
Culver, IN
What's nearby
Lake Maxinkuckee - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
Culver Academies Golf Course - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
Eppley Auditorium - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
Tippecanoe River State Park - 33 min drive - 36.4 km
Swan Lake Resort - 42 min drive - 31.3 km
Getting around
South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 53 min drive
Restaurants
Fridas Mexican Cuisine - 5 min drive
Cafe Max - 6 min drive
Lay Dining Hall - 4 min drive
The Lakehouse Grille - 5 min drive
The Original Root Beer Stand - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Aubenaubee Lodge July 25-30 now available! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
Where is Aubenaubee Lodge July 25-30 now available! located?
Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Culver Academies Golf Course, Lake Maxinkuckee and Huffington Library. Eppley Auditorium is 2.5 mi (4 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Loved our stay at this vintage home! It was able to accommodate a large number of people. It was so relaxing and fun. It reminded me of how the cottages used to be on the lake when I was a child.
Beautiful, loved our 3rd summer visit at this property. Great location, unique historic home on Lake Max East shore is a great place to relax and unwind. Working with Janet is always easy.
Thanks for another great stay!
We loved our time at this wonderful house! The rooms were lovely, the history so evident in the house was fascinating, and the beautiful location on the lake was superb. Our guests were gobsmacked by the charm. Janet was as great a host as we’ve ever had. And we rented the pontoon boat - which made the weekend extra special for us. We highly recommend the Aubenaubee Lodge!
A very relaxing week with family! A great place to stay full of history ! Plenty of space to spread out or to gather ! An amazing dkning room and screened porch. We had wonderful weather and several opportunities to use the pontoon boat.
Very well cared for lake house cottage with all entertaining resources. Beds very comfortable and AC works well. Lovely location on Lake Maxinkuckee. Everyone had a great time.
Extremely helpful and considerate hosts. The house has all we needed - including historical character. There is plenty of room for socializing coupled with sufficient privacy when needed (when travelling with friends). This is our third time staying at Aubenaubee - and look forward to many more.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at this home. Plenty of space for two families of 5 to spread out. The views are unbelievable. As described, the cottage is a historical home, and it was fun to learn pieces of this during our stay. This was just what we were looking for and we would definitely return.
Aubenaubee Lodge was perfect for our family visit. The owner, Janet, was great at communicating with us and made us feel very comfortable staying at her house. She even reached out to us when there was severe weather to make sure everything was in order. We found all of the rooms fit our needs perfectly. Everything was clean and orderly, and gave the feel a being at home at the lake. We also had use of the pontoon boat that was so convenient for use on the lake. We look forward to visiting Culver again and Aubenaubee Lodge will be our top choice. We can't thank Janet enough for sharing her property..
This was our second time staying in this home, and we enjoyed it so much, again. My mother grew up on Lake Maxinkuckee and my parents were married in Culver, so it was a beautiful place to celebrate their 60th anniversary with the whole family. We love how this house sits right at the water level, so there are not a bunch of stairs to navigate to get to the dock. We also rented the pontoon boat that was available. Unfortunately we had a windy week and were only able to use it a few times, but it was fun when we did. The family enjoyed the lake and the home. We had everything we needed.
The property is comfortable and very accommodating for a family of seven adults and two infants under the age of 3. The side yards are extensive and invite outdoor activities and lunches. Bedrooms are ample and comfortable. Common rooms are plentiful and the screen porch a natural setting. The house, while on the older side, is full of tradition and comfort ( had a hard time not to nap while reading in the comfortable chairs!).
mark h.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Manijeh C., Eagle Rock, CA USA
11 Oct, 2017
SPECTACULAR!
This home was literally a museum. We felt so fortunate to have come across your family heirloom!! We will always remember this trip. Thanks SO much, Janet, for allowing us to share your home for a couple days. My cousin painted a picture for me of a Ball Jar and it says "Having a Ball"...................The lake was gorgeous and so was the weather. Thanks, again!
We have stayed at this property twice before and it only gets better. The children and grandchildren know what to expect they love the rooms -they love the historic quality of the home -they love the swing -they love the big front and side yard where they can play corn hole or frisbee or catch baseballs! Janet and Richard are excellent hosts .
We love the opportunity to rent a boat! We love the views of the lake from the east shore! We love the sunsets! There are just too many positive things that I am missing.
Ronald S.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Kristen K.
18 May, 2016
Incredible house with a beautiful view!
We are so thrilled we were able to stay at the Ball lodge. There is so much space to sleep even the largest of parties with 8 twin beds, three full/ queen beds and a daybed between all of the bedrooms. The location is great and the lake views are stunning. We were able to watch the sunset every night from the lakefront yard and it was absolutely beautiful. We will keep this home tip of mind for every other reunion weekend-- looking forward to a new tradition. Also Janet couldn't be more kind and helpful. She was very responsive and attentive. Thank you for having us!!!
Great property that comfortably fit our family. Host is excellent communicator and planner. Very flexible and accommodating. Minor issue resolved swiftly and professionally. Access to lake is phenomenal with great lake side yard and plenty of room. Kayaks were a real treat and much appreciated. Lot's of refrigerator space made meal planning easy. Extra large dining table made large family meals and game playing easy and fun. We would definitely come back! Beautiful lake side home with lots of charm and space.
This property has equal amounts of centennial charm and modern “necessities.” The cottage is huge, with each bedroom bringing its own charm and spacious abundance, including beautiful bedding, art and historic nostalgia about the family and Culver. I swear we spent hours just looking over all the art, googling info and learning so much more about this once boat house and it’s evolution to a large lake side cottage, that brings many spaces for gathering, warming and simply enjoying the breaking rumble of Lake Max’s small waves. It was way more than we expected and was a lovely closing to a great Culver anniversary weekend.
We will be back… and bring more family. We appreciated the opportunity to stay at this family cottage.
Margi V.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
MARY M.
11 Aug, 2016
Great Home for a Family Reunion - and A Wedding
This is our 4th year at Lake Maxinkuckee for our family reunion. The previous three years we stayed in another house on the east side of the lake but this year we needed two because our family has grown so much. The Aubenaubee Lodge/Ball Family home was perfect for the "kids" and their families. The adults had their own bedroom and the little ones loved sleeping in the "sleep porch". The kitchen was spacious for cooking and with the help of using paper plates we were able to keep up with the dishes even though we didn't have a dishwasher. The extra refrigerators came in real handy. The kids loved playing in the water - it was hard to keep them out of the lake :-) The huge raft was a big hit. And we made good use of the sunfish - thanks ! The new cottage in the front by the road was not available so we rented the Hendricks-Hollowell Cottage also which was only two houses away. The grandparents and aunts & uncles stayed there which was nice because it gave us the opportunity to recharge our batteries to keep up with the little ones ;-) The highlight of the reunion was the wedding of one of our "kids" which we witnessed under the big tree in the corner of the back yard. They wanted a small ceremony with just the immediate family and got their wish. It was a beautiful day !
The Ball Family summer home is so beautiful and cozy. Thank you for sharing it with us. Looking at all the pictures that have been posted on Facebook by members of the family bring back wonderful memories. The Ball family has preserved a special piece of history.
My family had a wonderful time at this lake house! The house is beautiful and so charming with all the antiques! It’s located within minutes to restaurants, shopping, and beach area. Would definitely stay there again!
Simply a wonderful property with an amazing location. The owner Janet was very friendly and helpful from start to finish. A very special place to enjoy with your family highly recommended!
The property was first bought by our grandfather William C. Ball from Muncie, during WWII while my father William (Bill) Ball attended Culver Military Academy and my Aunt Lucina Ball Moxley mourned the loss of her first husband to the war. My siblings, Julie, Chip & John Ball and myself, Janet Ball Starkey, purchased the property in 2009 from our father who owned and maintained it for over 30 years. We all have a long history of wonderful memories growing up spending our summers at the lake.
Why they chose this property
My children, along with my siblings' children have also grown up with fond memories on the lake. I can honestly say all the cousins are more like brothers & sisters because of this lovely space that was provided for them during the summers. It's been one of the most valuable times spent together with family that I treasure dearly. I hope it would be so for your family and friends as well! By renting it out we hope to off-set some of the costs to provide future summer times at the lake.
What makes this property unique
From the large lawn, you can walk straight out to the dock with no steps (unlike many of the lake houses that have long stairs down to the lake). Swimming is easy and is waist or chest deep at the end of the dock. Swing or nap in the lake side hammock & stargaze from the dock on our amazing clear night skies! Wedding & Events & parties are possible when renting both properties (512710 & 559346) and consent from the owner. Additional fee @ $200 for additional 20, $500 for additional 40 people, $1500 for maximum of 100 people
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests