Our Lady of Fatima Statue

The Our Lady of Fatima shrine at Indian Lake

George B. Quatman owned San Juan Amusement Park from 1956 to 1964.

The blessing of the statue before it was placed on the concrete pedestal in 1964.

Aerial view of San Juan Amusement Park with Our Lady of Fatima at the top of the photo

Inscription on the marker accompanying the Our Lady of Fatima statue

Our Lady of Fatima statue before it was destroyed by a tornado in 2024

Gary Stoody preparing to bring the display case into the museum

Fred Wheeler, Shane McNeil and Gary Stoody carrying Our Lady of Fatima statue head into the museum

Fred Wheeler, Shane McNeil, Connie Wheeler and Gary Stoody who delivered Our Lady of Fatima

Plaque at the Our Lady of Fatima shrine at Indian Lake

The head of the Our Lady of Fatima statue was recovered from Indian Lake after the 2024 tornado

For six decades, the Our Lady of Fatima statue at Indian Lake stood as a religious shrine, a local landmark, and a lasting reminder of George B. Quatman’s faith and vision. Destroyed by the March 2024 tornado, the statue’s recovered fragments tell a story of devotion, loss, preservation, and renewal.

In 1924, George B. Quatman founded the Ohio Telephone Service Co. It provided service to local areas such as Botkins, Jackson Center, Greenville and Sidney. Quatman organized the Telephone Service Company of Ohio two years later. His leadership skills resulted in his forming four other businesses, all of which prospered. He was president and an active member of the board of directors of the Ohio Independent Telephone Association for many years.

Quatman was also an innovative engineer who earned numerous patents. Though best known for his work in telecommunications, his interests reached beyond that field, including his ownership of the San Juan Resort and related Indian Lake venues from 1956 to 1964. San Juan was on the west side of the park and included the San Juan Hotel, San Juan Ball Room, and boardwalk. Quatman purchased two more lots in 1958 and 1959 to expand the resort.

In May 1959, Quatman made $100,000 in improvements to “his side” of the resort. Improvements included “the world’s largest” merry-go-round and “the world’s tallest” jet ride. The merry-go-round had 72 horses, four abreast, 1,500 light bulbs, and 120 mirrors, and was completely hand carved. Other additions included a dodgem, tilt-a-whirl, loop-a-plane, and a large Ferris wheel. In “Kiddie Land,” a new jet fighter ride, auto ride, small Ferris wheel, airplane ride, boat ride, and whip ride were installed for children. Quatman also added a new kitchen and picnic pavilion with seating for 500, along with “The Lord’s Supper,” featuring full-size wax images. Peacocks, lambs, and parrots were also part of Kiddie Land. In 1961, Quatman added the “Wild Mouse” ride.

Perhaps Quatman’s greatest interest was his Christian faith. His profound religious beliefs and personal wealth led him to create the American Society of Ephesus, an organization dedicated to the study and restoration of the ruins of the Basilica and Tomb of St. John in Ephesus, near Selcuk, Turkey. The society’s work at Ephesus, along with Quatman’s restoration of other religious sites, led to a private meeting with Pope Paul VI in 1963. During that meeting, the Pope congratulated Quatman on his work and encouraged him to continue his religious endeavors.

Quatman heeded the Pope’s words. One of his last projects was commissioning the Our Lady of Fatima statue at Indian Lake. The story of Our Lady of Fatima began in 1917, when three shepherd children reported apparitions of the Blessed Mother near Fatima, Portugal.

 Known as Our Lady of the Rosary, Mary’s message emphasized prayer, repentance, devotion to the rosary, and peace amid the suffering of World War I. A chapel was later built at Fatima in her honor. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the world’s major Catholic pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions each year to reflect on her message.

At 19.5 feet tall, the fiberglass statue was believed to be the tallest statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the world. Resting on its pedestal, the completed monument rose 43 feet and featured a fountain and colored lights that changed as hymns played. The statue was unveiled on June 28, 1964, and formally dedicated on August 30, 1964. Sadly, George B. Quatman died less than a month later.

In 1917, three shepherd children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin, Lucia dos Santos, reported apparitions of the Blessed Mother near Fatima, Portugal. Known as Our Lady of the Rosary, Mary’s message emphasized prayer, repentance, devotion to the rosary, and peace amid the suffering of World War I. A chapel was later built at the site in her honor. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the world’s major Catholic pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions each year to reflect on her message.

For sixty years, the Our Lady of Fatima statue stood along the shore of Indian Lake at Russells Point as both a religious shrine and a familiar local landmark. On March 14, 2024, a tornado destroyed the statue, blowing it from its pedestal into the lake. Two weeks later, divers recovered sections and fragments of the statue, including the head.

Bill Quatman, chairman of the American Society of Ephesus and grandson of George B. Quatman, vowed to rebuild the statue. The society requested design proposals from artists for a new Our Lady of Fatima statue, which is scheduled to be dedicated in August 2026. Immediately after the tornado, the American Society of Ephesus donated $25,000 to the United Way of Logan County’s Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund.

The American Society of Ephesus commissioned Fred Wheeler to build a glass display case for the head of the original Our Lady of Fatima statue. The Logan County History Center extends special thanks to the Quatman family and the American Society of Ephesus for loaning this meaningful artifact for visitors to enjoy. We also thank Fred and Connie Wheeler, Gary Stoody, and Shane McNeil for delivering the statue head and installing the display case.