by Rick Belcher
This story is intended only for those who love Clark Lake’s past, and enjoy seeing how its history links to today.
First, I have some explaining to do. In 1983 my brother and his wife were visiting me in Toledo, where I lived at the time. In the morning, after some really great french toast with too much maple syrup and several cups of coffee, we decided that both of us had an undeniable need for what was then a new technology—a camcorder. So, for $4,107 in today’s dollars, Highland Appliance was happy to be of service to each of us. The unit consisted of two pieces—a very large camera connected via a cable the diameter of a garden house to a VHS machine that was strapped to your body. Heavy and awkward. I knew just enough to turn it on. On a fall visit to my parents at Clark Lake, I decided to record some experimental videos. At the time, I never considered that they might viewed by anyone but myself. I never dreamed they could be used on a website almost 40 years later. In fact, who thought something like the internet would even be possible?
On this day, Cal Pittman who owned the Point, had auctioned off items in the pavilion. Signs, arcade games and Clark Lake memorabilia were up for sale. That’s when Bill Tuttle outbid Jim Swain for the Eagle Point Hotel and Beautiful Clark Lake signs that now hang in the Clark Lake Community Center (see photos below). I arrived at the lake after the auction, but decided to take my new toy to the Point for a test flight.
At the beginning of this video, I included some comments from my parents about the auction. To help viewers understand the 1983 locations around the Point, I added some fast-forwards to the same spots today.
At the end of the video, my father let me know it was time to turn off the camera, which he did in a way that was unique to him.
I hope you will enjoy this piece of Clark Lake history. It was great fun remembering 1983 at Eagle Point.
On the same trip to Clark Lake, I also recorded a sweep of the west end of the lake, starting north and circling back to the starting point. For comparison, I tagged it with a similar view of Clark Lake’s 37-years later.
Bill Tuttle
Clark Lake Community Center
Wow, great job with the camera then and now what a neat view of the past and how it’s changed to the present, thank you very much.
Thank you, Rick, for bringing back these views of how beautiful and peaceful The Point was back when it still had the old oaks and willows growing there. I wish I had been here that day, I might have even been able to outbid Bill Tuttle on a few things.
Memories sooo great.
Rick, thanks for the memories. ?
Great job, Rick! It was fun and interesting to watch. Thank you for sharing.
Loved that video. It was wonderful to see and hear your parents. Very special. All I could think of was the song, “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”. Thanks for the memories.
What fun to see 1983 and compare to today. Thanks Rick.
Another great and informative history lesson well done by you. Thank you so much, Rick!
At that auction at the point, my husband, Dorrol, and I bought a bowling alley! A portion of it now serves as a bar top in our family room. We used a section of it which included the foul line! Both of us were avid bowlers for many years! We’ve had many comments about our beautiful bar top!
Seeing the old footage brought back a lot of memories for me. Once a week (summers-latter 70s), I would take my assigned group of campers from Consumers Powers Employee Club, across to the Point in rowboats. We enjoyed exploring the area and then eating ice cream while sitting on the steps of the playhouse before our row back to camp.
On one trip, a fellow camp counselor and gifted storyteller, started to tell the kids a scary story as we sat on the playhouse steps. Unbeknownst to us, the Clarklake Players were having a dress rehearsal and they could hear us through the open window. At a certain point in the story, a fully costumed and made-up vampire burst out the door to frighten us! We all screamed and some dropped their ice cream!
Side note from my previous comment- I think it actually occurred before the latter 70s. Not sure, I worked at the camp during the summers of 1972-1978.
Rick. Wonderful footage Once again You have captured history. Noticed in one of the shots showing the Hobie sailboats the Pleasant View pavilion appears clad in green siding with the upper level (formerly dance hall/playhouse) windows completely covered over. Must have been close to the end for that venerable landmark as well. Thanks so much for rekindling such great memories.
Larry Ryan
Thank you Rick. Watching this video brought back many great memories of when my parents owned Eagle Point.
Greg Pittman
So cool…someone should write a book!!
I loved this Rick! Thank you! Great memories of when the Point had beautiful TREES! And the old Pavilion where we used to roller skate, and later watched the “Clark Lake Players”.
Rick,
I do not know how I missed this, it brings back so many wonderful memories! So fun to see your mom and dad!
Now I know your gift with a camera has been a life long passion! I remember your photos like they were from yesterday!
Thank you for the memories!!!