Back in the 1920s, Beaver Lake became the summertime entertainment capital for the Ellendale area. Gartner Murtaugh of Albert Lea,built a cabin on the south shore the lake, near the Berlin Town Hall. His brother, Ed, started a boat and beach business on the south side of the lake, offering boats for rent and swimming suits. He also provided a wholesome place to have a good time.
In the late 1920s, he built a water roller coaster, which consisted of a four-wheel cart that rolled down into the water. The cart had to be rented at the beach house and then carried to the top of the track. The coaster ride lasted until the late 1930s.
In 1936, Jack and Frank Lonergan sold their Ellendale restaurant and took over the Murtaugh boat and beach business. Eventually, Noel Thompson, Norrine Jensen's father, bought the building and equipment when the Lonegran's discontinued their operation in the mid-1940s.
Jim Burnes provided an area on the south shore, which was especially popular on Sundays and holidays, for picnics, celebrations and parties. Burnes and the Dwyer brothers each operated food stands.
It seemed everyone was at Beaver Lake on the 4th of July, where patriotic speakers told stories and music was provided. Maurice Lonegran served as master of ceremonies. Then, during the period of 1934 to 1942, a dance and roller rink was located at the lake.
The livery stable in Ellendale did a big business on weekends and holidays, in renting team of horses and rigs for the festive three-mile trip to the lake.
The Beaver Lake School was built in 1893 and was located about a quarter of a mile south of the lake on the Nels Thompson farm, which is presently owned by Barry and Jane Braaten. Jane is the great-great-granddaughter of Nels.
Back in “those days,” when mileage made a difference, before television, neighbors and people of the area thought Beaver Lake was the mecca of the community and beyond.
During the meeting, much conversation centered around the display of Beaver Lake history that will be included in the History Center being built in the Village of Yesteryear at the Steele County Fairgrounds. The Ellendale and the Steele County Historical Societies are hoping people will share pictures and items about Beaver Lake to be used in this new facility. One can either make a donation in honor of something important in one’s life, or make remembrance for a loved one, or hold a special fund-raising celebration.
How many times do we say, "We should write a book?”
This time the thought is, "Let’s do it!"
As there are fewer and fewer "old-timers,” people are encouraged to write stories and share memories of Beaver Lake, and contribute any artifacts that pertain to the lake to members of the historical societies.
Beaver Lake is 99 acres with 100 cabins surrounding it. Many of them were built in the last 40 years and are now year-round homes.
Developing the new History Center is a big project. The longer we wait, the sooner it may be too late.
