Letter to the Editor: History of the Pleasant Lake Inn

2/24/2015

Thank you for the wonderful article about the Pleasant Lake Inn. Ray Berg has captured the history of the Inn for all to enjoy. I am a Grandson of Mannie and Clara Sodt who owned the Inn from 1925-1943. My mother Billie Mann lived there during this period with her two sisters and brother. I recall many stories about the Inn and the people who visited. My grandmother always spoke of Thomas E. Dewey as a frequent guest while he was studying at the University of Michigan (1919-1923). Dewey later became Governor of New York and a US presidential candidate. University professors were also guests…to get away from the students.

Mannie not only had a bear on the property but according to old stories also kept a caged wolverine. I have a picture of Grandpa Sodt with the bear.

Clara Sodt’s parents were Martin and Katherine Koch of Jerusalem. I have a newspaper article from 1924 which covers their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. In that article Martin Koch’s profession was listed as a stone mason. I do not recall ever hearing that he was a saloon keeper. I am curious where Mr. Berg obtained that information. My mother and grandmother never spoke of the saloon in Jerusalem.

Thanks again to Ray Berg for his article. The loss of the Inn is a real tragedy to the community.

Don Mann

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.