The Lake Bracken district had for many years been a favorite hiking spot for outdoor lovers of Galesburg and vicinity, due to its lovely virgin forest, deep ravines, and natural scenic beauty, so when the C.B. & Q. made their decision with regards to the lake, it was only a short time until overtures were made to that company for a lease on their property for country club purposes.
The Railroad Company took kindly to the proposition, and on December 28, 1923, a lease was signed which covered the entire C.B. & Q. holdings of 1,002 acres in that vicinity.
Preparation had been made prior to the time when this important transfer might be made, by a corporation known as the Knox County Country Club, which incorporators first met on July 7, 1922, at which temporary organization was effected, and a third meeting on October 23, 1922, when the temporary organization was made permanent.
The first officers were as follows: President, S A. Wagoner; Vice-president, Fred Peterson; Secretary, G. L. Long; Treasurer, Hubbard Huggins. The Board of Directors were: Max J. Mack, Fred Peterson, O. N. Custer, J. G. W. Dopp, H. H. Gunther, C. O. Lewis, W. E. Doyle, W. C. Frank, E. R. Drake, G. B. Churchill, S. A. Wagoner, R. V. Field, J. Ross McClure, H. C. Bulkeley and Hubbard Huggins, all prominent business men of Galesburg, Knoxville, and Abingdon.
The first task of the new officers and directors was the laying out of the grounds, which consumed a considerable length of time and much energy, as a survey of the entire grounds had to be made with a view to a suitable club house, cottage sites, playgrounds for the children, picnic grounds, parking space, flower gardens, golf course, tennis court and the boys' camp, the latter on the south side of the lake.
Lots for cottage sites were laid out, and that Lake Bracken was destined to become a popular summer resort was evidenced when most of the original sites were leased and building started on many of them the first year. Today there are 77 cottages around the lake, most of them beautiful and substantial, each identified by name and graced by landscaping peculiar to the proud owner's artistic taste.
The next big job to confront the officers and directors was that of providing water, light and roads for the various cottage groups, which was done by the sinking of 15 wells in strategic locations, wiring the grounds for electricity, and building adequate roads through the timber so that each cottage might have its own drive and parking space for cars. All of these drives at this time have been surfaced to provide all-weather roads. More cottage sites are being laid out, and new summer cottages are being built, which will finally result in the entire north, east and west sides of the lake being occupied by lessees of these sites.
The roads running through the grounds and around the lake were laid out with a view not only to safety and convenience, but as to their scenic beauty. Long, sweeping, graceful curves, through the beautiful golf course, through avenues of stately white elms, evergreen hedges, beautiful flower gardens, through Memorial Park, wherein is contained over 150 memorial trees, by the front door yards of many of the cottages, over fills which cross the narrows of the lake at various places, makes the whole road system one of the most beautiful drives in the State. In all there are over 7 miles of roads, all surfaced for use.
A Country Club, to be worthy of that name, should be prepared for the numerous and varied interests of the membership that are naturally varied. With a membership of 700 to 1,000 the first place provision should be made for the whole family, from the children to the grandparents, consideration be expressly given to safety, comfort, and convenience. There should be beautiful scenery, cozy nooks, plenty of shade, good music, high-class entertainment, dancing and card parties, provision for parties for members and their friends, interesting playgrounds for children, clean picnic grounds with plenty of seats and tables, ovens for cooking picnic dinners, pure, safe drinking water, good swimming with all equipment to make that activity enjoyable, boating, fishing, tennis, archery, croquet, horseshoes, golf, etc.
The Knox County Country Club is proud of its record of achievement. It has, in the few short years of its existence, transformed the forests of Lake Bracken into one of the most beautiful and practical vacation spots in the state -- a country club where the whole family may enjoy the healthful diversions of the outdoors with pleasure and comfort.
Early it was evident that an all-weather road must be provided to the club grounds. The Abingdon hard road passed within 2 1/2 miles of the clubhouse, and, on August 5, 1927, the Board of Directors voted to surface the dirt road with gravel from the hard road to the clubhouse. Since that time two more gravel roads have been made available to the membership - South Seminary Street and South Farnham Street.
Another of the important problems was provision for ample parking space for autos. It was realized that at times space would be required for 500 to 700 cars. With this in mind a large circular park of ample size was laid out, with a roadway entirely around it. The outer edge is planted in Lombardi poplars, while on each side of the entrances is placed memorial trees. This park is also used as a ball diamond, for competitive Lake Bracken ball teams.
Isaak Walton was born in the year 1593, and for life of Mr. Walton the art of fishing has since been associated with his name, and members of' that cult are proud to be referred to as followers of Isaak Walton.
The Railroad Company took kindly to the proposition, and on December 28, 1923, a lease was signed which covered the entire C.B. & Q. holdings of 1,002 acres in that vicinity.
Preparation had been made prior to the time when this important transfer might be made, by a corporation known as the Knox County Country Club, which incorporators first met on July 7, 1922, at which temporary organization was effected, and a third meeting on October 23, 1922, when the temporary organization was made permanent.
The first officers were as follows: President, S A. Wagoner; Vice-president, Fred Peterson; Secretary, G. L. Long; Treasurer, Hubbard Huggins. The Board of Directors were: Max J. Mack, Fred Peterson, O. N. Custer, J. G. W. Dopp, H. H. Gunther, C. O. Lewis, W. E. Doyle, W. C. Frank, E. R. Drake, G. B. Churchill, S. A. Wagoner, R. V. Field, J. Ross McClure, H. C. Bulkeley and Hubbard Huggins, all prominent business men of Galesburg, Knoxville, and Abingdon.
The first task of the new officers and directors was the laying out of the grounds, which consumed a considerable length of time and much energy, as a survey of the entire grounds had to be made with a view to a suitable club house, cottage sites, playgrounds for the children, picnic grounds, parking space, flower gardens, golf course, tennis court and the boys' camp, the latter on the south side of the lake.
Lots for cottage sites were laid out, and that Lake Bracken was destined to become a popular summer resort was evidenced when most of the original sites were leased and building started on many of them the first year. Today there are 77 cottages around the lake, most of them beautiful and substantial, each identified by name and graced by landscaping peculiar to the proud owner's artistic taste.
The next big job to confront the officers and directors was that of providing water, light and roads for the various cottage groups, which was done by the sinking of 15 wells in strategic locations, wiring the grounds for electricity, and building adequate roads through the timber so that each cottage might have its own drive and parking space for cars. All of these drives at this time have been surfaced to provide all-weather roads. More cottage sites are being laid out, and new summer cottages are being built, which will finally result in the entire north, east and west sides of the lake being occupied by lessees of these sites.
The roads running through the grounds and around the lake were laid out with a view not only to safety and convenience, but as to their scenic beauty. Long, sweeping, graceful curves, through the beautiful golf course, through avenues of stately white elms, evergreen hedges, beautiful flower gardens, through Memorial Park, wherein is contained over 150 memorial trees, by the front door yards of many of the cottages, over fills which cross the narrows of the lake at various places, makes the whole road system one of the most beautiful drives in the State. In all there are over 7 miles of roads, all surfaced for use.
A Country Club, to be worthy of that name, should be prepared for the numerous and varied interests of the membership that are naturally varied. With a membership of 700 to 1,000 the first place provision should be made for the whole family, from the children to the grandparents, consideration be expressly given to safety, comfort, and convenience. There should be beautiful scenery, cozy nooks, plenty of shade, good music, high-class entertainment, dancing and card parties, provision for parties for members and their friends, interesting playgrounds for children, clean picnic grounds with plenty of seats and tables, ovens for cooking picnic dinners, pure, safe drinking water, good swimming with all equipment to make that activity enjoyable, boating, fishing, tennis, archery, croquet, horseshoes, golf, etc.
The Knox County Country Club is proud of its record of achievement. It has, in the few short years of its existence, transformed the forests of Lake Bracken into one of the most beautiful and practical vacation spots in the state -- a country club where the whole family may enjoy the healthful diversions of the outdoors with pleasure and comfort.
Early it was evident that an all-weather road must be provided to the club grounds. The Abingdon hard road passed within 2 1/2 miles of the clubhouse, and, on August 5, 1927, the Board of Directors voted to surface the dirt road with gravel from the hard road to the clubhouse. Since that time two more gravel roads have been made available to the membership - South Seminary Street and South Farnham Street.
Another of the important problems was provision for ample parking space for autos. It was realized that at times space would be required for 500 to 700 cars. With this in mind a large circular park of ample size was laid out, with a roadway entirely around it. The outer edge is planted in Lombardi poplars, while on each side of the entrances is placed memorial trees. This park is also used as a ball diamond, for competitive Lake Bracken ball teams.
Isaak Walton was born in the year 1593, and for life of Mr. Walton the art of fishing has since been associated with his name, and members of' that cult are proud to be referred to as followers of Isaak Walton.
Located at: 1036 Sunny Knoll Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401
Contacts: Business Office - (309) 342-4431 : Fax - (309) 342-3829 : Golf Shop - (309) 343-5915 : Restaurant - (309) 343-5912 Swimming Pool - (309) 342-2413 Grounds - (309) 342-4341 E-mail Us
Contacts: Business Office - (309) 342-4431 : Fax - (309) 342-3829 : Golf Shop - (309) 343-5915 : Restaurant - (309) 343-5912 Swimming Pool - (309) 342-2413 Grounds - (309) 342-4341 E-mail Us
Story of Lake Bracken and the Knox County Country Club
Reprint of History Recorded by Earl Thompson Covering the Years 1923 - 1937
