“ People come here for the scenery, the history, and the amazing customer service they get.”
— Cyrus Andrews
Cyrus Andrews, general manager of the lodge.
While the lodge itself is an attraction, the natural beauty of the park and nearby activities also draw visitors. McGee notes the park is just a few miles from Nashville, known for its arts and crafts, its shopping district, and sense of history. Located in Indiana’ s largest state park, it’ s also the largest lodge in the system. Abe Martin has 84 rooms in the lodge itself, plus family cabins, cabin suites, and rustic cabins. The lodge also features more than 6,000 square feet of banquet and conference rooms, wedding venues, an aquatic center, a restaurant, and gift shop. There are also outdoor spaces, a game room, lobby areas with fireplaces, and more. The lodge has up to 140 employees during peak seasons.
Cyrus Andrews, general manager for the lodge, said it was opened in 1934, and originally featured 18 rooms. The Allison Peabody room, now a special events venue, was the first lobby for the lodge.
The lodge was named for Abe Martin, a central character in a popular comic feature created by Kin Hubbard for the Indianapolis News from 1904 to 1930 and syndicated to over photo by Bob Gustin
300 newspapers. The comic combined a drawing of the rustic, bearded Abe Martin with insightful observations on the human condition.
All the rooms or cabins which have names honor other characters from the comic series.
Andrews smiles as he says sometimes visitors say they are related to Abe Martin, a claim he knows isn’ t true, since Martin was a fictional character, a backwoods philosopher.
An annex to the lodge was built in 1988, and the lodge has been updated several times. Most recent improvements include the remodeling of the east wing in 2020-21, and the addition of massive standby generators, which will power the lodge in case of electrical outages.
The aquatic center was added in 2008. It includes a twisty water slide, a“ lazy river” stream, and large hot tub. Admission is included in room rates, and wristbands are available for $ 20 per day for nonguests.
The lodge’ s Little Gem Restaurant is open daily from 7 a. m. to 2 p. m., and from 4 p. m. to 9 p. m. It is known for its fried chicken, tenderloins, and fresh biscuits with apple butter.
The gift shop specializes in outdoor and Indiana merchandise, including children’ s games and puzzles, clothing, jewelry, and toys. Andrews said an effort is being made to carry more locally made gifts.
Three of the park’ s hiking trails are accessible near the lodge, including one which leads to a historic amphitheater built in 1935.
Andrews also pointed out artwork by local artists which adorn public spaces in the lodge, as well as historic artifacts and explanations of Kin Hubbard and Abe Martin.
The 16,000-acre Brown County State Park attracts about 1.5 million visitors each year, and the lodge
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