The Community Center stands today in the County Park as evidence of the purpose to preserve Clark Lake’s past.  It’s also an inviting location for events–birthday parties, weddings, life celebrations, neighborhood gatherings, and meetings.  When it appeared disrepair threatened the 125 year old structure, Clark Lakers came to the rescue.  The campaign to restore the historic building was successful, and work is nearly completed.

The Community Center is a treasured Clark Lake icon.  Not only has the building been preserved, but its inside walls are also opportunities to preserve Clark Lake’s past.  Some artifacts are already in place–signs for the Eagle Point Hotel, post office sign, and “Beautiful Clark Lake” are examples.  As other items become available and are evaluated, they will enhance this effort.  Items will bring back memories of Fleet 58, Pine Riders Water Ski Club, Raft-O-Rama, and other events.  Other possibilities include plat maps, drawings, paintings, and physical memorabilia.

Steve Harris donated the Rollo Every Cottage for Rent sign.

Recently, the Community Center received a postcard that could be the starting point for a wall display collection.   The card is based on an E. E. Thayer photograph of the “Clark’s Lake Yacht Club.”  It’s fitting that the donor is Neil Robb, a member of the Yacht Club, who found it buried in a storage box.  You may recognize Neil’s name as he is often the race director for regattas.  A barely discernable postmark suggests the postcard was mailed in 1910.

Penny postcards in those days were like text messages today—a quick question or comment, and then pop it into a mailbox.  This mailing was addressed to someone named “Cy” in Wauseon, Ohio.  Apparently it was initially misdelivered to Delta, Ohio.  We don’t know whether Cy ever received the card, or whether he responded to the question, or how the postcard got to the Yacht Club.

Questions about the photo itself are easier to answer.  It appears the photo was taken from the tip of Eagle Point.  Directly across the lake are the Pleasant View Hotel and Pavilion.

The original photo was likely monochrome, and was later colorized for the printing.  As such, it tends to look like a painting, with its subject matter close to what you might expect in the Impressionist section of a museum (perhaps Renoir?).  The above version of the postcard is an unadjusted scan.  Below is a photoshopped version, with colors tweaked by the AI software.

Which version do you prefer?  Feel free to leave a comment.

The outpouring of support for the restoration of the Community Center speaks volumes about Clark Lake.  Names of donors are being inscribed on a wall-sized Recognition Display to become a permanent part of the building.  It will tell future generations of what it took to save this historic structure, and the love and dedication of this generation to what Clark Lake means.  If you donated to the restoration, please click here to ensure your information is accurate.

During the recent ice storm, the County Park took a beating.  Drive by to visit the war zone.  The cleanup will be addressed by the County.

A tree struck the “necessary” building.  Click here to learn about Completing the Movement.  When the (non-operating) outhouse is restored this spring, its appearance will be in harmony with house.  Branches also hit the house, but with no damage to the structure.