Walter Nellessen - Captain 1981 to 1983
Walter Nellessen purchased Dixie Camp from Tag Huffman in October 1980, taking possession of the property on January 1, 1981. In early 1981 Nellessen renamed the property "Dixie Haven" and soon began significantly modifying the DIXIE itself, which was now 52 years old.
Nellessen retained his permanent residence in Valparaiso, Indiana, however he would occasionally captain the Dixie during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. In 1983 Walter became the full-time captain during the first part of the season.
Nellessen made several changes to the lakeshore property, and to the Dixie itself. His wife, Eileen, inherited the property after his death in 1986. Eileen sold Dixie Haven to Greg Van Pelt in 1987.
Yours truly began working aboard the Dixie in 1977 as a substitute for the fulltime 1st Mate. I was only 12 years old, and as a "cub pilot", I was barely tall enough to see over the pilotwheel. I was able to start young because my uncle, Tag Huffman, owned Dixie Camp at that time.
In 1978 I became the fulltime 1st Mate. I continued to work aboard the Dixie after Tag sold it in late 1980, and eventually became the captain from 1983 to 1986.
The Van Pelts purchased Dixie Haven from the Nellessens in 1987. Greg Van Pelt was captain of the Dixie until 1994, when it was purchased by Dan Thystrup.
The Van Pelts still own and operate the Dixie Haven motel units.
Dan Thystrup purchased the Dixie from the Van Pelts in 1994. Dan also owned the former Adventureland Amusement Park in North Webster.
Jon Lippe - Substitute Captain, 1985
Steve Ward - Captain, 1995-1996
Robert Joesten - Captain, 1997
Bo Thystrup - Captain, 1999
If you are a former Dixie Captain from 1986 to present, please contact me to have your name included in this section.
