While perusing Back Mountain Kitchen Treasures, a 1956 cookbook published by Reverend Yost’s Shavertown Methodist (not yet United) Church, I came across a photo of Harveys Lake captioned “Annual Boat and Road Races have added interest and helped this area to become a favorite resort.” That photo matches my husband Joe’s recollections of the Lake from that era: fewer houses and boathouses and many more trees and open space around the water’s edge.
During his childhood, Joe’s family owned a cottage up on the ledge at Pole 139, complete with a boathouse and a 1949 16-foot Chris Craft speedboat. Joe treasures those memories from his childhood: the train going to Hanson’s and carefree weeks of staying at the cottage with his grandmother while his parents worked at Joe’s Men’s Shop in Dallas. Unfortunately, Joe’s dad suffered a heart attack at the age of 43. When “Old Joe” could no longer navigate the many steps up to the cottage, it was sold in 1959 along with the boathouse and the Chris Craft.
My own relationship with Chris Crafts were the Speedboat Rides at Hanson’s Amusement Park. On the first Saturday of every August, the Dymond Family met there for an extended family reunion of over 100 members or more. A horde of us children ran from one ride to another while the adults sat in the pavilion conducting genealogical meetings. (How I wish I could listen to those meetings now!) Most of the rides were a nickel. The carousel was a dime. I saved all year long for that day! The highlight every year was the moment my mom would say, “Come on, Susie. Your dad is taking us for a speedboat ride. Those rides were 35 cents per person. Dad was a mechanic. Mom was a stay-at-home mom who canned our food and sewed our clothes. Back in the mid 1950s, our 3-person speedboat ride seemed the equivalent of $150, but worth every penny. Refreshing wind! Blue water! Lake spray! Puffy clouds! Breakneck speed! Glorious memories!
My former fifth grade student and dear family friend Walt Weir owns a 1941 17-foot, 95 horsepower Chris Craft which can be seen on Harveys Lake when it's not in regional shows ranging from the Thousand Islands south to Virginia. Artistically, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of painting its pristine condition with all the nautical bells and whistles. Instead, I was drawn to the vision of Walt skimming along on a silvery day with silvery water, and the silvery sky reflected on the polished horizontal surfaces (decks) of his boat.
Today, the Lake sees many pontoon boats. My son-in-law, ever the frugal shopper, found a bargain buy on a pontoon boat with damaged upholstery but a great engine and great everything else. My grandchildren and great grandchildren have had many hours of fun in their “floating living room.” I painted my granddaughter Elizabeth, who now resides in Charleston, SC, in one of her favorite activities on Harveys Lake.
The end of summer comes quickly now, complete with Harveys Lake’s Labor Day Celebration: Red Sails in the Sunset and Fireworks. The tradition began in 1969 and since 1996 the sailboats have been towed by Dale Campbell in his 26-foot fiberglass Chaparral. Dale’s granddaughter, gifted artist Erika Doran, rides with her grandfather. She says she has the best view of all the “sailboat chaos,” especially when the parade starts and the sailboats, which are each roped to the boat ahead and behind, begin to move. Any kind of wind creates problems, because the sailboats begin sailing independently, get out of line, and cause more drag, making them harder to pull. Another problem is boats on the lake who fail to respect the amount of space needed to tow the sailboat parade around a curve.
I'm looking forward to being out on the Lake for the parade again this year. We meet the sailboats at the Yacht Club as the flares are lit. Then we tag along, always respecting Dale Campbell’s required space for turns. I revel in the fireworks, rejoice with the patriotic music, and reverberate with the booms of the grand finale! Then the last song of the evening, “New York, New York” floats across the water while tears roll down my cheeks. Like Erika says, “It's the last holiday at the Lake, the end of summer, back to school.”
What are your favorite summer memories? Do any of them include a boat on Harveys Lake or somewhere else outside or InSide the Back Mountain? We’ll need to remember these warm memories next January!
This article originally appeared in the August 2024 publication of InSide the Back Mountain.