THE HISTORY OF LAKE FOREST

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. If necessary, it can be almost completely drained. Its maximum depth reaches 22 feet, with an average depth of 14.7 feet. The bottom is of sand, gravel, rubble and boulders, and there is considerable submerged vegetation in the shallow areas. The lake is thermally stratified and its bottom waters are well supplied with dissolved oxygen. Bottom food production is well above average.

In 1857, the Bridgeport Water Company sold the area to the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company who, 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.

The year 1942 brought many changes to Lake Forest, 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. An orchestra was hired and Mr. Art Knapp donated a piano. Later, when the beach was built, the upstairs rooms of the clubhouse were finished with lockers and rooms for the men, and the downstairs accommodations were created fort the women.

Following the completion of the roads, Mr. Amster and his colleagues decided to divide the entire acreage into sections. The first family to buy in these sections became the owners of the master deed of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Stack of Eastway Road were the first builders while the Fran Oleynick family became the first settlers.

In 1943, the first dues of $10.00 were paid to the Lake Forest Association by members. Previously, Mr. Lester Amster paid the dues as the lots were sold. Also in 1943, Secretary of the Association Steve Stanton and Ed Bond suggested the need for beach care and beach patrol. In earlier days, Indian Bill strolled the seven and a half mile long trail through the area to watch for intruders. Also in 1943, Ed Bond formed the safety group and swimming classes for children and adults. Mr. Bond also originated the first across-the-lake swim which continues to be the highlight of the annual Field Day celebration. In 1951, Ed Bond relinquished his beach patrol duties and became President of the association.

In June 1952, a special meeting was held and the membership voted in favor of Lake Forest Club taking over the authority from Herbray, Inc. set to expire by July 1952. A representative from each of the eleven sections in Lake Forest obtained a majority of signatures of property owners and a petition was filed in the Town’s Clerk office on June 30,1952 for Lake Forest Association to assume full authority effective July 1,1952.

Ever since, several improvements have been made to Lake Forest. A sand beach was created, boat docks have been added, and the clubhouse, now available for rentals, has been enlarged. Studies were commissioned in 1955 and more recently in the 1980s. Lake Forest officers, board of directors, and members are constantly striving at making Lake Forest an even better, environmentally friendly, safe and clean place to live, enhancing the quality of life along with the property values in the area.