I took extra steps to enhance this incredibly interesting article on the "Water Carnival" which was an annual affair conducted by the bungalow residents* of Lakeside Park in the early part of the 20th century. What a spectacle it must have been! Floats of all shapes, sizes, and subjects afloat at beautiful "Lakeside," or as was commonly known, "Gropp's Lake." My son Ken is a resident of Medford Lakes down in Burlington County. It appears that the citizens of that bucolic little town have also organized an "on the lake" event. What a great idea for future Hamiltonians!*Charles Teunon is credited with establishing this quaint and very beautiful area of Hamilton. The original intent of the development was to provide a summer home for the more affluent residents of Trenton. The "bungalows" were similar in nature to those built along the upper Delaware for the same clientele.
There is some interesting reading in these articles dealing with the Lakeside Park area of the early part of the 20th century. The Venetian Carnival was an affair where boaters floated along in a delightful parade with their vessels aglow. Medford Lakes residents still carry on a similar attraction. I always thought i.It would be nice to see Gropp's Lake once again made into a swimming area; especially now that the cost of gas is going to restrict many families to local facilities.
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Anonymous said... - Tom - I believe in another of your Lakeside blogs there is a picture from the newspaper of one of the winning decorated boats. Lakeside Girl
Anonymous said...- Sally Logan Gilman said...
- Hi Tom: Read your Hutchinson Pond posting with interest. My grandfather, David S. Hutchinson, who owned the grist mill, was a freeholder. Regards. Wednesday, April 27, 2011
- Anonymous said...
- Tom - Thank you, thank you for this glimpse of Lakeside long ago! What a sight it must have been! I read with pleasure the names of my grandfather and great-grandfather as two of the organizers of these events. If there were only pictures of this! Before the shore was popular and before folks had the cars to travel there, local places like Lakeside fulfilled the need for getting away to a summer place for rest and relaxation. The city was stifling then in the days before air-conditioning and the water presented a welcome respite. As I understand, some even came for health reasons as stayed in the local hotel or rented cottages from owners. A true old time resort! Lakeside Girl Thank you, Eleanor. To be honest, I saw the entries for your family and was curious as to whether you and/or George would find them. All of which proves that some of those articles that some may find boring are of intense interest to others, and the reason I will continue to post these historic articles that have been buried like hidden treasures. Tom Glover
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