ISLAND BROOK LAGOON CLUB, Long Island Sound, Connecticut, New England

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Fire destroys Lake Forest clubhouse
John Burgeson, Staff Writer Updated 11:34 pm, Wednesday, August 31, 2011 0    
Photo: John BurgesonImage3of4Lake Forest neighbors gathered in disbelief to look at the charred remains of the Lake Forest Association clubhouse, which burnt nearly to the ground early Wednesday morning, August 31, 2011. The blaze even roasted the clubhouse street sign.Buy this photoIMAGE 1 OF 4The Lake Forest Association clubhouse, the venue for countless wedding receptions, showers and other functions since the 1950s, burnt nearly to the ground early Wednesday morning, August 31, 2011.BUY THIS PHOTOBRIDGEPORT -- The Lake Forest Association clubhouse, the venue for countless wedding receptions, showers and other functions since the 1950s, burnt nearly to the ground early Wednesday morning.
Betsey Meyer, who has lived in the Lake Forest enclave, said although the building was insured and would be rebuilt, the loss of all the memorabilia will be a blow to the Lake Forest old-timers.
"We lost a lot of photographs," she said.
"Many, many memories. All irreplaceable. It survived an earthquake and a hurricane, but not this," said her daughter, whose name is also Betsey Meyer.
More Information
Lake Forest Located in North End of Bridgeport. Residents live north of the lake off of Frenchtown Road, Dexter Drive and others up to the Trumbull town line and Chopsy Hill Road in the east. Lake Forest is an artificial body of water with a partially wooded shoreline. It has a surface area of 71.4 acres. Originally called Island Brook Reservoir, and contained by a dam made of earth and masonry, the lake has a capacity of 300 million gallons of water. Its maximum depth reaches 22 feet, with an average depth of 14.7 feet. In 1857, the Bridgeport Water Company sold the area to the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company that, in 1873, constructed the Island Brook Reservoir. The Island Brook water system was completed in 1876. It continued to function as a reservoir until 1915. In 1941, the area was sold to Herbray Inc. -- Lester Amster, Louis Landow and Raymond Stoddard. That same year, the first parcel of property on the lake was sold to Frank and Mildred Kunkel. A short while later, Lester Amster invited Frank Kunkel to form a club or association to write laws and regulations pertaining to the lake and the surrounding land. The first group of lot owners met and formed what became the Lake Forest Association. In 1942, the first roads were constructed and the members of the association decided to convert the old barn into a clubhouse. In 1943, the first dues of $10 were paid to the Lake Forest Association by members. Later, a sand beach was created, boat docks added and the clubhouse enlarged. Source: www.lakeforestassociation.comThe blaze was discovered by a little girl living next door, who was awakened by the light from the flames, onlookers said.
The clubhouse was originally a barn. It was converted into a clubhouse when the Lake Forest Association formed in the early 1940s. Lake Forest is also known as Island Brook Reservoir; it was one of several small reservoirs that served the city until the early 1900s.
In the early 1970s, the building was enlarged to its present size.
The intensity of the blaze even melted "Old Glory" hanging from a flagpole on the front lawn, and it roasted the sign, too.
There were no injuries. Four engine companies, two ladder companies and a rescue truck responded, remaining on the scene until about 8 a.m.
The cause could not be immediately determined by fire inspectors, who were on the scene throughout the morning, along with Chief Brian Rooney. They said they could not immediately determine the cause.
The Lake Forest Association has about 420 members. The clubhouse, however, was rented by nonmembers for functions.
According to the association's website, in 1942 the first roads were constructed, and the members of the association decided to convert the old barn into a clubhouse where lot owners could meet on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The first social celebration in the new clubhouse was a party on Halloween in 1942, with prizes awarded to the most beautiful, funniest and original costumes. Later, when the beach was built, the upstairs rooms of the clubhouse were finished with lockers and rooms for men, and the downstairs accommodations were created for women.
While members vowed to rebuild the clubhouse, many said they were sad to see it destroyed.
"I don't think there's a person in the city who hasn't attended a function here at one time or another," the younger Meyer said.