Speranza
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.
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