Lake Kearney – 1900-1920 Era Some
Background Fact – Kearny Lake was formed in the dip between two of
the hills which form the north side of the Platte River
valley when the Kearney Canal was completed.
Fact – No
“amusement parks” in Kearney until the Kearney Amusement Park opened at the
cotton mill site in mid-
summer 1919. Shortly after it closed, the 1733 Amusement Park opened.
But until then, Kearney Lake filled that need in Kearney, becoming a center
for social activities during the
Boom Period and beyond.
Fact – It wasn’t until 1920 that
the lake was called Kearney Lake.
Before that it was called Lake Kearney and only on rare occasions was it
called Kearney Lake
Swimming – the main attraction Moving into the time period of our focus for
the past 2 months – 1900-1920 – swimming was the main attraction
July 1901
– Swimming had never been so popular at Lake Kearney as it was then while
the water was low and the
weather was very warm. Many hundreds of men and boys would visit the lake
every evening. [not so silted
in then]
Over the years as
the water heated up in the summer “large crowds of local swimmers” would
come to the lake in the
evenings
And when it rained, causing the lake to rise, it became even more popular
for boating and swimming
June 1908 – Kearney Country Club
was trying to get organized. One of
the things they needed to do was prepare their shore line for boating,
swimming pool and diving board.
Moving into the teen’s
Swimming lessons were being taught July 1915 –Boys taking
swimming lessons received a medal when they were able to swim 60’ John
Lowe was in the first group of boys to earn the award.
1917 –
The July 4th celebration included various activities at Lake Kearney.
This included motor boat races, swimming races, high diving, fishing,
boating
The Pavilion and Social Activities Dated from back in the Boom Period. Built on the east shore of the lake Used for concerts and dancing and a variety of
social activities Oct. 1890 – Hawthorne Jewelry carried a watch with an
engraving on back of Kearney Lake with sailing craft, the
pavilion, and a background of Kearney roofs and steeples [I wonder if there
are any still around.]
[Now, imagine no houses on the east side of the
lake]
Oct. 23, 1890, there was a Farmers Alliance meeting in
Kearney at Lake Kearney. Seats
had been constructed on the east side of the lake to accommodate 1000 people
for the speaking at the
pavilion.
But – plank
seats collapsed.
A wagon
was set up at the north end and people had to stand to listen to the
speakers.
During
the years after the Boom had ended, the pavilion was not maintained and fell
into the lake
But it would be rebuilt
May 1910
there were big plans for Lake Kearney N. C.
Dunlap had planted 5000 shade trees along the shores of the lake.
Plans were made to build a pavilion on the east shore to be used as a band
stand and as shade and rest for those
coming to the lake.
There
would also be bath houses, gasoline launches & row boats
But it apparently took a while to get all this done.
Aug 2, 1912
– The dance pavilion at Lake Kearney opened
June 1913
– A dance was to be held on a Friday night at the open air pavilion at Lake
Kearney, but the manager said
all “tango style” dancing would be barred
1914 – The following spring
bids were taken to build a canopy over the dance pavilion
The 1914 season opened on an evening in mid-May
No afternoon special attractions that day because of a ball game at the
athletic park, but bathing [swimming]
and fishing was available.
Lockers were provided for swim suits and clothes.
In the evening there was a big dance with Peck’s orchestra.
The pavilion had been repaired and was ready for dancing.
But a canopy over the pavilion was not in place because it was advised that
high winds would blow it off.
1915 – Lake Kearney had a new
manager.
There was boating, fishing and swimming.
Swimming lessons were given to boys under 15. The
dance pavilion built [rebuilt] last year was used for picnics and social
events, but not dancing.
[could not find out why]
Summer 1919 – the dance floor at
Lake Kearney was back [again, don’t know the circumstances] And
also 1911 – A Suicide [If At First You Don’t Succeed…..] A banker in another state took his own life be
going to a park where he drank poison, plunged a knife into his throat and
fired a pistol ball into his head which killed him instantly.