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Old Berrien Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 2 (Winter 2008): “The Excursion / A Getaway to Mayhaw Lake, Dixie Lake, or Lucy Lake”, Summer 2008

 File
Collection number: ca-012-002-004

Description

This newsletter issue details popular early 20th-century recreational getaways in Berrien County, Georgia, highlighting Mayhaw Lake, Dixie Lake, and Lucy Lake. These resorts offered residents a means of rest and relaxation before the widespread availability of radios, televisions, or automobiles. Mayhaw Lake, built in 1914 by Elias Moore "Hun" Knight near Ray City, was known for its sulfur spring-fed swimming pool, roller skating rink, bowling alley, and baseball diamond, attracting patrons with special railroad rates and hosting lively holiday events and dances. Dixie Lake in Sparks, also established in 1914 after a sulfur spring discovery, featured a large pool, skating rink, restaurant, and even a movie show, similarly drawing crowds via excursion trains. Lucy Lake, located north of Alapaha and predating 1917, was a widening of the Alapaha River, offering a sulfur spring-fed swimming pool, spectator balcony, eatery, and cabins. All three resorts were initially highly accessible by various means including buggy, auto, and train. However, their fortunes declined by the mid-1920s to early 1930s; factors included young soldiers returning from WWI finding other attractions, increased automobile ownership leading to travel outside the county, and the depressed economy.

Subjects (Names:) Carter, Roy; Davis, Viola Smith; Hazen, Kate; Johnson, Glenn; Johnson, Manson; Moore, Burton; Moore, Mrs. Burton; Parrish, Tom; Register, Thelma; Shaw, Charlie Ruth; Shaw, Elmer; Shaw, Rossie; Shaw, Charlie; Sirmans, Marshall; Swindle, Bryant; Swindle, Glenn; Swindle, Henry; Swindle, J. H.; Swindle, Lonnie; Touchton, Jessie Ziegler; Williams, Hollis; Ziegler, Shellie

Dates

  • Summer 2008

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Extent

1124833 bytes ( No. of bitstreams: 1 ca012-002-004_old-berrien_v02_n02_the excursion_2008_a.pdf: 1124833 bytes, checksum: 318F8D69-F338-B090-4CB3-59C6A32175E1 (MD5) )

Language

From the Collection: English