Built in 1947 for Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Ruby, II, what we now call "The Ruby Lodge" was designed by noted Louisville, Kentucky, architect Stratton O. Hammon, and no doubt situated to take full advantage of the fabulous view of Spring Lake and the nature that surrounds it. As the Ruby Family owned the local concrete and lumber companies, the Colonial Revival house was constructed of a variety of concrete products and finished out with beautifully custom-milled hardwoods.
The interior of the house is replete with signature Hammon details including the overall "boomerang" design, delicate leaded glass fanlights, a corner fireplace in the paneled library, floor-to-ceiling windows, fluted Ionic pilasters and a curving cast-in-place concrete staircase in the foyer. A unique feature of this house is its oval dining room...the only room Hammon designed in this shape. Special amenities of the Ruby Lodge, also available to guests of the Lake House, include an in-ground pool and outdoor hydrospa.
Joe & Shirley Thomas purchased the property in 2004 from J. Edwin Ruby, III, who had misgivings about selling the family homeplace, but had decided to retire to the sunny South and play golf. Fortunately, many fine Ruby-heirloom antiques were included in the sale and remain a part of the home today.
In addition to appreciating the sheer natural beauty, history and craftmanship embodied in the property, the home had special meaning for Joe and Shirley. After returning from his tour of duty in the Navy after World War II, Joe's father, James D. Thomas, now deceased, worked for a time as a painter for Ruby Lumber Company. During that tenure, he had the opportunity to work on the home, which Joe remembers well. The hand-rubbed varnish finish in the Cherry library that James applied in 1947 still exists today...as beautiful as the day he completed it.
THE BED & BREAKFAST AT SPRING LAKE WOODS
Take a walk...
...where nature and history surround you.
In 1889, the Spring Lake and Park Company was incorporated by the "who's-who" of wealthy local businessmen to construct a lake, build a park, purchase boats and make a recreation place for pay and pleasure.As originally constructed, the dam required for this purpose was reportedly 616 feet long and over 25 feet high, creating approximately 30 acres of clear, open water, much larger than the 7 acres that exists today. During the summer months, Victorian Madisonville enjoyed not only the recreational facilities at Spring Lake, but also the refrigeration provided by its ice (harvested during the winter and stored in an ice house, near where the Lake House now stands).
For decades, Spring Lake was a favorite place in the community for gatherings of all kinds, from political rallies to family picnics, fishing and moonlight boat riding...a popular attraction for the young people of the day. Over the years, however, the Lake gradually dropped out of its prominent place in the recreational affairs of the community. With the coming of electric refrigeration, it was no longer needed... its role in Madisonville's history almost forgotten.
In 1928, Spring Lake and the surrounding 300 acres of wooded land were leased by the Spring Lake Fishing Club and Wild Life Sanctuary, a private sportsman's organization headed by Brasher C. Bacon, a noted ornithologist, student of botany and one of the pioneers of conservation in Kentucky. The Club operated for a number of years and grew to a membership of over 100. In 1946, the "Spring Lake Refuge" was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Ruby, II, for construction of their fine new country home...prompting the end of the property's use as a fishing club as well as the ascension of its prominence in ornithology (the study of birds) in Kentucky.
Mrs. Mary Comer Ruby was a lover of botany and nature. As the story is told by Mr. Bacon's son, in exchange for his father's guidance and assistance in her botanical efforts on the property, Mrs. Ruby provided the funds for the construction of what would become known as The Museum of Oology (the study of birds' eggs) at Chickadee Hill, and presented it to Mr. Bacon for development and operation. During its decade of existence here, the Museum housed numerous bird specimens, 350 sets of nests and eggs and more than 300 books on birds, insects, wildflowers and trees and served as the premier venue for ornithological studies in the State of Kentucky.
The beauty and history of Spring Lake Woods continues... even when you leave the outdoors behind.
The beauty and history of Spring Lake Woods continues... even when you leave the outdoors behind.
The Ruby Lodge
The Ruby Lodge
The Lake House
The Lake House
The Lake House was built in the late 1950's also by J. Edwin Ruby, II, following the death of his first wife, Mary. While not as "grand" as the Ruby Lodge, the Lake House has a character all its own that reflects the elegance, history and sportsman's spirit embodied in Spring Lake Woods.
As originally constructed, the classic Lodge-style home of cedar shake and expansive verandas was comparatively modest in size. It did include, however, many of the upscale details celebrated in The Ruby Lodge including huge bay windows and French doors, fine custom millwork and cabinetry and natural stone flooring.
Following Mr. Ruby's death, the home was legally severed from the larger parcel and conveyed to his daughter and her husband who expanded the home considerably by adding a large sunroom for entertaining and additional bedrooms. Eventually, the home was sold outside the Ruby family where it remained for many years until 2007, when Joe and Shirley Thomas were given the opportunity to once again bring it under common ownership with Spring Lake Woods.
Now called "The Lake House," the home includes four spacious guest rooms, including one perfect for longer-term stays. The house opens to the foyer displaying much of Joe's personal collection of antique exotic animal mounts and fishing memorabilia, including Tiger and Cheetah rugs, Linx and Eland mounts and a 16' wooden canoe. The dining room has recently been redecorated as a dramatic space sufficient to seat up to 16-20 guests. The Lake House also includes a meeting room perfect for business meetings or larger dining parties up to 30 guests, the walls covered with photos reproduced from the Hopkins County Historical Society archives depicting the history of our community and of Spring Lake.
As originally constructed, the classic Lodge-style home of cedar shake and expansive verandas was comparatively modest in size. It did include, however, many of the upscale details celebrated in The Ruby Lodge including huge bay windows and French doors, fine custom millwork and cabinetry and natural stone flooring.
Following Mr. Ruby's death, the home was legally severed from the larger parcel and conveyed to his daughter and her husband who expanded the home considerably by adding a large sunroom for entertaining and additional bedrooms. Eventually, the home was sold outside the Ruby family where it remained for many years until 2007, when Joe and Shirley Thomas were given the opportunity to once again bring it under common ownership with Spring Lake Woods.
Now called "The Lake House," the home includes four spacious guest rooms, including one perfect for longer-term stays. The house opens to the foyer displaying much of Joe's personal collection of antique exotic animal mounts and fishing memorabilia, including Tiger and Cheetah rugs, Linx and Eland mounts and a 16' wooden canoe. The dining room has recently been redecorated as a dramatic space sufficient to seat up to 16-20 guests. The Lake House also includes a meeting room perfect for business meetings or larger dining parties up to 30 guests, the walls covered with photos reproduced from the Hopkins County Historical Society archives depicting the history of our community and of Spring Lake.