HISTORY

Axel Voss was a Danish immigrant who settled in Natchez , Mississippi in 1925. Axel became the owner of a small motor repair garage in Natchez ( A & B Motor Company) which operated as a wrecker and road service, gas station, and taxi cab service, and later the automobile dealership for Studebaker and Jeep. Axel married Delphine Hicks in June of 1933. Axel and Delphine ( Del ) routinely took “Sunday” drives with their young children from their home in Natchez along the lakes in nearby Louisiana . Axel continuously asked his wife if she would like to buy a lot on Lake St. John and she continuously replied ~ “no.” In 1945, he secretly purchased Lots 7 and 8 of the Subdivision of Lot 48 of Ravenswood Plantation on Lake St. John and built the original lake house. Axel named it Del-Sa-No, since his wife Del …Said No! Delphine quickly fell in love with the lake cottage and it became a family vacation spot for Axel and Delphine's family for years to come.

 

From Memorial Day in May through Labor Day in September, the Voss family and their friends spent every weekend at the Lake . For many years the house could sleep as many as 20-25 adults and children who primarily slept in bunk beds and “roll-aways” on the screen porch. (There was always room for at least one more). Each of the seven children were allowed to have one guest each weekend and extended family and friends knew that the doors were always open to all visitors on weekends.

 

The three traditional summer holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day) were special times for family gatherings and reunions. In addition to Delphine's many relatives in the Natchez area, Axel's family visited from far away Denmark . Since 1945, family and friends have enjoyed swimming, sailing, water skiing, fishing, cookouts, card games, horseshoes, and simply relaxing under the ceiling fan on the porch.

 

“The Letter” ~ In 1958, Axel Voss left a letter to his wife and seven children suggesting that they always keep Del-Sa-No as a place for family gatherings.

 

To My Wife and Children:

  I have enjoyed the lake very much for many years, and it is my hope and wishes that all of my Children will enjoy it the same way. I also enjoyed all the many hours I spent working, cutting the grass, painted the house, and repaired the pier. I have only been upset when someone messed with the lawn mower and my outboard motor and I could not start it.

  But I have had so much pleasure and enjoyment in seeing my friends and family have such a good time and I hope that all of my children will see fit to entertain in the same manner - have your family and friends up there with you.

  It is then my sincere wish that the house on the lake will be kept by all of the children for this purpose. I hope it will not be necessary to sell or dispose of the house and lot on the lake at any time. The taxes are very small and with a little work by all it can be kept in good shape by all working together.

  I am sure that your Mother will agree with me in the above thoughts for the future, and I hope the boys will be good to their two little sisters, see that they will never be in need of anything and take good care of them.

          Your Husband and Dad

Following his death in 1966, Delphine continued to use Del-Sa-No as a means to bring together her seven children, sixteen grandchildren, large extended family, and friends. Prior to Delphine's death in 2000, she passed the ownership to her seven children through a State of Louisiana “Act of Donation.” Following their father's suggestion, and their mother's wishes …Del-Sa-No remains in the names of the seven Voss children and continues to serve as a family vacation home for all to enjoy.