A Brief History of the Roxana Resort
By Theobeat Cheon
12 January 23
In 1893, a Victorian-style hotel complex was built between the Golf Resort and the Lippencott Hotel. At the time of its building, it was called the Krasny Resort. It was raised upon the shores of Mineola Bay, providing a terrific view overlooking the Mineola Hotel. In 1930, the Krasny Resort was embellished and renamed the Roxana Resort turning it into an immediate success for winter ice boating.
The area surrounding the Roxana was especially known for its isolated hunting and fishing. It was a wonderful attraction for those looking for a private and secluded vacation. Though it was not in complete isolation as many other hotels, dance halls, and clubhouses were added to the Chain O’ Lakes area. This eventually made the entire town an exciting center of festivities. Families and couples came from neighboring towns to celebrate and dance while others came to enjoy the serene and quiet nights. With attractions so close to each other, visitors always had something to look forward to.
With the hubbub of idyllic entertainment, came one particular summer, when one of the hottest prohibition cases sparked across the pages of almost every local news headline. Previous Roxana Resort owner Paul “Duke” Bein was charged for selling moonshine. He, along with five other hotel keepers, was fined for their moonshine operations. However, Paul received the harshest sentence of $750 while also having to serve 90 days in county jail. State Attorney A. V. Smith charged Paul Bein for selling two pints of gin to several detectives.
It was an untimely and devastating situation for Paul since he was already dealing with a number of personal problems. Not long after was Paul spotted approaching the railroad tracks by Twin Lakes owner, Jack Peterson. As the train quickly approached, Paul suddenly jumped onto the tracks, committing suicide at the age of 54. The coroner later found underneath his cash register notes indicating financial distress and ideations of suicide
Today, the Roxana Resort still continues its success as a vacation rental for those looking to create a memorable stay. Frank LaMark Jr., the current owner, provides the resort as a vacation stay through Airbnb services. It has also served as a popular choice for wedding venues. An admirer of history himself, Frank continues to maintain its antiquated feel and intends to keep it that way regardless of any development he adds to it. He believes the history of the building and surrounding community adds to the building’s prominence as a resort. People who love history would no doubt find themselves feeling as if they were stepping back in time as they walk through the Roxana.
