With 90+ degree weather last weekend, summer is in full swing at Lake Sawyer. Lot's of wake boards, ski boats, paddle boarders and kayaks out on the lake. A good reminder that Lake Sawyer was once home to not one, but two resorts - The Grove at Lake Sawyer and the Paradise Resort. The Grove was located just south of the current Lake Sawyer Resort on the west side of the lake.
Photo from my personal collection and Washington State Historical Society, Asahel Curtis photographer, circa 1925
Not many rowboats these days and more boarders than skiers. Boating attire was also rather different - white shirts and rolled up sleeves for the guys. Following are two pictures of the Paradise at Lake Sawyer Resort, located near our current Lake Sawyer Park at the lake's south end.
Photo courtesy Lake Sawyer Grocery
Photo courtesy Lake Sawyer Grocery
One factor that drove the popularity of private resorts was the lack of public facilities. Publically owned parks just didn't exist, which significantly limited those in the populace who could visit places like Lake Sawyer. Park fees were beyond the means of most. Today, we are blessed with some of the best parks around. We pay for it through our taxes but we also gain the benefit of lands set aside for public use in perpetuity.
Edited and republished from an earlier post.
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