1930'S -40'S AND 50'S "LAKESIDE; AKA "GROPP'S LAKE"

Minimal verbiage here. See the graphic.

1913: THOSE GREAT LAKESIDE CARNIVALS!

Over the years, I have been fascinated as I read articles and see a photo or two of that annual Lakeside carnival that was so popular in earlier years. The article above gives a good idea of how seriously those Lakeside carnival participants worked to bring a splendid pageant to those in attendance. The residents added to the annual affair with lanterns and other lights decorating their homes in that bucolic little village of "bungalows;" as the early real estate ads called them. I recall all those happy summer hours I, and many of my contemporaries spent in that natural spring fed lake. It is sad that today's lake is merely there as a natural resource and  no longer a summer swimming retreat.

My son lives in Medford Lakes in Burlington County. They carry on the tradition of carnivals on the lake with highly decorated boats, each competing for the grand prizes offered in various categories. This year, Ken is the captain of his group and the are hard at work burning the midnight oil getting ready for the big night when their decorated vessel will take to the water.

"LAKESIDE," AKA GROPP'S LAKE

 

 Here's a folio of interesting Lakeside/Gropp's Lake graphics. The two photos above were given to me by Mr. Harold Yaede whose family lived in the Lakeside Park area for years. I have begun to brand these graphics since I find that they are being borrowed without following the protocol of crediting the source. Mr. Yaede and his friend Harold Hager treasured their years as Lakeside residents.

1909: GROPP'S LAKE READY FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Here is another of those poorly defined offset photos that are so prevalent in early 1900's newspaper photos. However, one can get a general idea of the scene depticed. In the background can be seen Mr. Struble's Lakeside Hotel; a very popular location which was once located on South Broad Street at Lakeside Boulevard.

1979: GROPP'S LAKE DAM BREAK

It was front page news those 33 years ago when the dam at Gropp's Lake gave way, spilling untold gallons of water into the basin on the other side of South Broad Street. Before the EPA and environmentalists came on the scene, spring-fed "Lakeside" was one of our very favorite swimming beaches. Citizens from miles around came to loll on the sandy beach and take a dip in the lovely natural waters.

Ron Bound said...

When I went back to school in 1969, I really wanted to keep our home on the lake, on Lakeview Court...to come back to, after retirement from the AF, planned for 1979. But we sold it. When this happened, I thought, how sad, but thought I made the right decision to sell the house in our nice little cul-de-sac.
Thanks for the clippings, Tom.

Thursday, September 06, 2012

2012: GROPP'S LAKE, LAKESIDE, LAKESIDE PARK, YARDVILLE A HEADS UP

Here's an exciting entry into local Hamilton history. My friend Nancy Johnes Fell has put together a volume based on a journal which was written by her father, Robert Teunon Johnes. Those who are familiar with Charles Teunon, whose articles I have posted and/or referred to over the years, will recall that he was one of the developers of today's Lakeside Park as a "bungalow community" back in the early 20th century. The very interesting reminiscences which Nancy's father wrote in his journal are historic treasures. As seen in the graphic, copies are available from Nancy, and and are also available in the Local History workshop at the Hamilton Library. Call in advance to be sure I am in the office:

609-581-4060 Ext. 4016.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....LAKESIDE WAS A GODSEND DURING THE 30'S AND 40'S. I LEARNED TO SWIM THERE AND MADE GOOD USE OF THE DIVING PLATFORM ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE BEACH AND THE STORE. OUTSIDE OF THE CANALS, GROPP'S LAKE WAS ABOUT IT WHEN IT CAME TO COOLING OFF AND ENJOYING THE WATER. IT WAS NEARBY THE CITY AND EASY TO GET TOO. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Ron Bound said...

Love this picture. When the AF sent me back to NJ, we bought a house on the other side of Gropp's Lake. When I left in 1970, I wanted to keep the house, to come back to and maybe retire in, in 79. When I came back the lake was a swamp, when the damn burst. Sad site to see it as a swamp.
Ron Bound HHS 56

Thursday, June 28, 2012

1915: THE DAM GIVES OUT AT GROPP'S LAKE

A destructive storm hit the Mercer County area in January 1915. One of the many casualties of the destructive storm was the washout of the dam at Gropp's Lake. Apologies are in order regarding the photos in the top graphic. The photographer was probably snapping photos on a dark and dreary day or perhaps his "F" stop settings were off. Add to that the fact that offset photo reproduction in the early 20th century newspaper was sadly lacking. After Andrew Gropp decided not to repair the dam, Charles Teunon, who had a lot of money invested in Lakeside Park and the lake itself, picked up the gauntlet and assumed the expenses of restoring the dam. "Lakeside," as we called it, also known as Gropp's Lake (which we never called it) is truly an historic natural resource with its spring fed lake. Were I to win the lottery for a few million dollars, I would spend the amount it would cost restore "Lakeside" to its former glory, including laying out a white sandy beach.

michael said...

Hello Tom,

I really enjoy some of these Gropp's Lake area photos. I just have a quick question. Do you know if Lakeside Boulevard and/or Arena Drive were there back when some of these photos were taken, specifically when that Lakeview Hotel photo was taken? I'm just trying to envision what the property around Lakview Hotel might have looked like a years ago. Thank you.

Monday, November 07, 2011

Thanks, Mike:

Old Olden Avenue was the original road to White Horse Avenue. Arena Drive was cut in as part of a WPA project in the 1930's. I am sure Eleanor Guear, George Golday, and other Gropp's Lake area historians will be able to add additional info. Lakeside Blvd. was part of Teunon's original Lakeside Park plans.

1908: THE LAKEVIEW HOTEL

It was billed as a "Temperance Hotel," but due to the temperance leanings of the management, it was bereft of alcoholic beverages. It is also one of the subjects I have searched for over the past 25 years. The Lakeview was located at the corner of Lakeside Boulevard and South Broad Street. My research thus far had led me to speculate that the hotel in the reproduced pamphlet above was once the home of Sylvanus Hutchinson and later, Robert C. Hutchinson both of "Hutchinson Pond" fame. This rare pamphlet has been in my collection for over 40 years. It has been digitzed and the original is being preserved in the "LAKESIDE PARK-GROPP'S LAKE" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. A very fleeting look at Lakeside Park before the Teunon development.

(REMEMBER TO RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE!)

1914: CHARLES TEUNON'S LAKESIDE PARK BUNGALOWS

Here is a fascinating set of graphics from the very early years of the settlement of Lakeside Park. I have been crowned the un-official "Historian" of Hamilton Township. However, in that rather dubious and un-official position, I must admit that my knowledge of local history will never be as complete as I would wish. For example: as familiar as I am with the Lakeside Park area, there are historic Lakeside Park articles and photos which are puzzling to "historians" such as I. The photo of the lake in the above Donaldson photo shows what my un-informed eye tells me is we are looking at the lake from the vantage point of Lowrie's Mill on the "Bordentown" side of the bridge. The bridge can be seen along South Broad Street, and the trolley house next to it. I yield to my more knowledgeable Lakeside Park-Yardville heights visitors to add comments in order to clarify (or disavow) my assumptions.

NOTE FROM TOM: WITH OVER 8,000 POSTS (PAGES), I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THERE WILL BE DUPLICATE POSTS. BELOW (HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN) IS ONE OF THOSE DUPLICATES INCLUDING THE ACCOMPANYING COMMENTS. I HAVE RE-POSTED BOTH PHOTOS; THE ORIGINAL, AND THE HORIZONTALLY REVERSED VERSION. LIKE MOST FOLKS, I DO MAKE MISTAKES!

Many Trentonians found Lakeside Park to be the ideal summer getaway back in the early 20th century. These "bungalows" could be had for a price which today seems incredible. I wonder if there are any Lakeside Park visitors to my website who can identify this house.
THIS EMAIL RECEIVED FROM "LAKESIDE GIRL."
Hi Tom - I believe this house is the former home of the Vogt family on the corner of Lakeside Blvd and Dancer Drive (formerly 6th Ave)Lakeside Girl.
THANK YOU, "LAKESIDE GIRL;" YOUR INPUT IS APPRECIATED.

waltsgirl29 has left a new comment on your post
"1914: LAKESIDE PARK: A BUNGALOW COMMUNITY":

This home faces Birch Street and is at the corner where Tettemer crosses it. The house looks the same today. Lakeside will always be "home" for me, so I love the wonderful old photos, thank you. My grandfather built on Tettemer and raised his family there. My father built on Lincoln Ave and raised us there. I raised my girls on Dancer Drive, sold the house to my daughter and in Jan. she will have a son to raise there.

THANKS TO BOTH "LAKESIDE GIRL" AND "WALTSGIRL" FOR ENHANCING THIS POST. YOUR INPUT IS REALLY APPRECIATED. (TOM GLOVER)

Friday, November 04, 2011

Tom - I think we settled this some months ago in your blog - my brother, George Goldy noted that the picture was probably reversed and you then published it in the reverse which make better sense and was correct.