East Lake Park: Difference between revisions
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After the [[East Lake Railroad]] began service on [[June 14]], [[1887]], the lake was able to fulfill its function of attracting day trippers from Birmingham, who might then be tempted to purchase home lots or businesses in the company's newly-developed subdivision. | After the [[East Lake Railroad]] began service on [[June 14]], [[1887]], the lake was able to fulfill its function of attracting day trippers from Birmingham, who might then be tempted to purchase home lots or businesses in the company's newly-developed subdivision. | ||
The company constructed various recreational facilities in the park, including a [[East Lake Hotel|resort hotel]], a dance pavilion, and pleasure boat docks. Additional attractions, including a ferris wheel, shooting gallery, | The company constructed various recreational facilities in the park, including a [[East Lake Hotel|resort hotel]], a dance pavilion, and pleasure boat docks. Additional attractions, including a ferris wheel, shooting gallery, the [[East Lake Casino]] theater, a golf course, a baseball field, a stern-wheel paddle boat, a petting zoo and bumper cars were added to the popular amusement park over the years. | ||
The City of Birmingham purchased the property in [[1917]] and dedicated it as a public park on [[May 10]], [[1918]]. The city kept many of its attractions open over the next decades while adding other recreational facilities. During the [[Great Depression]] workers from the [[Civil Works Administration]] drained a swampy area north of lake, regraded picnic and bathhouse areas, and constructed 3 tennis courts and 11 barbecue pits | The City of Birmingham purchased the property in [[1917]] and dedicated it as a public park on [[May 10]], [[1918]]. The city kept many of its attractions open over the next decades while adding other recreational facilities. During the [[Great Depression]] workers from the [[Civil Works Administration]] drained a swampy area north of lake, regraded picnic and bathhouse areas, and constructed 3 tennis courts and 11 barbecue pits | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 23 January 2012
East Lake Park is a 100-acre city park anchoring Birmingham's East Lake community, between 1st Avenue North and 3rd Court North and between 80th and 84th Street North.
The park was first developed in 1886 as a private attraction for the East Lake Land Company. The 45-acre man-made lake, originally called Lake Como was created by damming Roebuck Springs and Village Creek.
After the East Lake Railroad began service on June 14, 1887, the lake was able to fulfill its function of attracting day trippers from Birmingham, who might then be tempted to purchase home lots or businesses in the company's newly-developed subdivision.
The company constructed various recreational facilities in the park, including a resort hotel, a dance pavilion, and pleasure boat docks. Additional attractions, including a ferris wheel, shooting gallery, the East Lake Casino theater, a golf course, a baseball field, a stern-wheel paddle boat, a petting zoo and bumper cars were added to the popular amusement park over the years.
The City of Birmingham purchased the property in 1917 and dedicated it as a public park on May 10, 1918. The city kept many of its attractions open over the next decades while adding other recreational facilities. During the Great Depression workers from the Civil Works Administration drained a swampy area north of lake, regraded picnic and bathhouse areas, and constructed 3 tennis courts and 11 barbecue pits
In the 1950s, the operation of fishing and boating privileges at East Lake was given to the Jefferson County Sportsmen's Association which fertilized and stocked the lake. A new $150,000 swimming pool was constructed by the city in 1954.
The city widened sidewalks, repaired the dam, and installed picnic shelters and new landscaping in a 1972 renovation. The pipeline from Roebuck Springs was replaced in 1976. Additional landscaping and new parking areas were completed in 1978. The path around the lake was resurfaced with crushed stone in 1980.
May Hawes
The body of 8-year-old May Hawes was discovered floating in the lake by two boaters on December 4, 1888, starting an investigation that led to the discovery of the bodies of her sister and mother in Lakeview and the conviction and execution of her father, Richard Hawes.
According to area residents, there have since been sightings of a little girl playing at the lake's edge, swimming, or slipping below the water at dusk. Called the Child of the Lake or the East Lake Mermaid, the apparition is attributed to May's spirit.
References
- Lowry, Walton (1953) "East Lake poses problem for Park Board" Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Hudson, Alvin W. & Harold E. Cox (1976) Street Railways of Birmingham. Forty Fort, Pennsylvania: Harold E. Cox
- Jones, Pam. (Spring 2006) "The Hawes Murders." Alabama Heritage. No. 80, pp. 34-40