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
The first president of the Knox Count Country Club and the president following both realized the importance of a fish committee instilled with the spirit of' Isaak Walton - one which would lend every effort in not only stocking the lake with fish, but in building for the future in the way of providing harbors for the young fish, supplying them with food, etc. In September, 1923, the first carload of fish was placed in Lake Bracken, which consisted of adults and fingerlings of all the common varieties of scale fish. Also in that year 1,300 adult channel catfish were placed in the lake, Since that time every year has added its quota to this number. In addition to these, the fish committee has established a fish nursery at the lake, and this year over a million fingerlings will be released into the lake from our own nursery.
It is interesting to know that of the prizes offered for special catches in the various classes of fish common to this locality, by a local sporting goods house, the Isaak Waltons of Lake Bracken have been the recipients of a majority of such prizes. The Knox County Country Club also conducts its own contest in this enticing sport, and in October of each year the clubhouse is the scene of a gathering of the entire membership at which, after a good dinner and appropriate program, prizes are awarded the champions.
The deep, clear, cool water of the lake has made it a favorite resort for swimming, and from early summer until the cool days of fall the bathing beach is lined with swimmers. Paraphernalia characteristic of the better bathing beaches, has been provided, including a large raft, diving boards, slides, etc., and it may be said that swimming is one of the major activities of the club. Huge floodlights have been placed over the lake in the space assigned to the swimmers, which virtually turns the night into day, with the result that hundreds of our members take advantage of this part of the day to enjoy a cool, invigorating swim after a hard, hot day in the city. Competent life guards are on duty at all times during the hours when bathers are in the waters.
Annual contests in swimming and diving have regularly been held between the Lake Bracken team and teams from Burlington, Iowa, and Peoria, which has added much interest to the sport. These contest.-, have brought to light many credible aquatic artists among our membership, with new ones being added each year.
Here also it might be mentioned that boating comes in for a large share of the water sports, and besides the large numbers of boats and canoes owned by the members of the club, the club owns and maintains a number of boats for the convenience of fishermen, and others who wish that service.
Of the many other attractions at the club special mention should be made of the three regulation horseshoe courts, the badminton court, the croquet court, the standard archery range and the tennis courts, of these activities have their devotees, and the club endeavors at all times to keep the equipment up in first-class shape so that the players may get the best out of their chosen activity.
Another feature of summer entertainment this vear will be moving and talking pictures, during one evening of each week, running from about Decoration Day until long into September. The program will consist of two or three short subjects and one full length picture, the combined program taking up most of the evening. All is now under construction which will be ready by the time the picture programs begin, and will be of such capacity that it is hoped it will accommodate the large crowds expected to these entertainments.
Golf, another of the major sports of the club, receives generous consideration of the membership. Lake Bracken lays claim, and justly, to one of the most beautiful and sporty nine-hole golf courses in the State. From early morning until the setting sun, during the summer months, one may witness the good and the bad, in all the various attitudes peculiar to a golf course - some fanning the ball on the tee, some dubbing, some making excellent drives, some overapproaching, some short, some right up to the cup, some putting good, others not so good - but all enjoying the game to the fullest. It has been said that the Knox County Country Club is one of the very few in the country where there is not numbered among its membership a single golf widow. The ladies come in for a full share of this healthful recreation. During the whole season events are arranged for the ladies, as well as the popular events in which both the ladies and gentlemen play. The Lake Bracken golf course, as originally laid out, consisted of 18 holes, but to this time the nine now being used have proven adequate, but there is satisfaction in knowing that when a larger course is needed, we have the space necessary for that purpose.
Continued History of Lake Bracken By John R'. Carlson Covering the Years 1937 - 1979
Earle Thompson's booklet "The Story of Lake Bracken and the Knox County Country Club" was written in 1937. Mr. Thompson makes is aware of the natural beauty of the entire area. The abundance of virgin stands of oak and hickory trees and the rolling hills and wooded bluffs lends an enchantment to Lake Brackets unequaled in the Midwest. It has maintained its beauty and continues to charm members and visitors alike as the drive over our excellent blacktop roads. There is nothing quite like Bracken in Illinois. Much remains the same after these fifty-five years. Roads have been enhanced with the addition of colorful maple trees and a variety of shrubs and flowers. Our golf course is carefully manicured and tended by expert hands, making it a real showcase of beauty as you enter the Club grounds.
It is interesting to know that of the prizes offered for special catches in the various classes of fish common to this locality, by a local sporting goods house, the Isaak Waltons of Lake Bracken have been the recipients of a majority of such prizes. The Knox County Country Club also conducts its own contest in this enticing sport, and in October of each year the clubhouse is the scene of a gathering of the entire membership at which, after a good dinner and appropriate program, prizes are awarded the champions.
The deep, clear, cool water of the lake has made it a favorite resort for swimming, and from early summer until the cool days of fall the bathing beach is lined with swimmers. Paraphernalia characteristic of the better bathing beaches, has been provided, including a large raft, diving boards, slides, etc., and it may be said that swimming is one of the major activities of the club. Huge floodlights have been placed over the lake in the space assigned to the swimmers, which virtually turns the night into day, with the result that hundreds of our members take advantage of this part of the day to enjoy a cool, invigorating swim after a hard, hot day in the city. Competent life guards are on duty at all times during the hours when bathers are in the waters.
Annual contests in swimming and diving have regularly been held between the Lake Bracken team and teams from Burlington, Iowa, and Peoria, which has added much interest to the sport. These contest.-, have brought to light many credible aquatic artists among our membership, with new ones being added each year.
Here also it might be mentioned that boating comes in for a large share of the water sports, and besides the large numbers of boats and canoes owned by the members of the club, the club owns and maintains a number of boats for the convenience of fishermen, and others who wish that service.
Of the many other attractions at the club special mention should be made of the three regulation horseshoe courts, the badminton court, the croquet court, the standard archery range and the tennis courts, of these activities have their devotees, and the club endeavors at all times to keep the equipment up in first-class shape so that the players may get the best out of their chosen activity.
Another feature of summer entertainment this vear will be moving and talking pictures, during one evening of each week, running from about Decoration Day until long into September. The program will consist of two or three short subjects and one full length picture, the combined program taking up most of the evening. All is now under construction which will be ready by the time the picture programs begin, and will be of such capacity that it is hoped it will accommodate the large crowds expected to these entertainments.
Golf, another of the major sports of the club, receives generous consideration of the membership. Lake Bracken lays claim, and justly, to one of the most beautiful and sporty nine-hole golf courses in the State. From early morning until the setting sun, during the summer months, one may witness the good and the bad, in all the various attitudes peculiar to a golf course - some fanning the ball on the tee, some dubbing, some making excellent drives, some overapproaching, some short, some right up to the cup, some putting good, others not so good - but all enjoying the game to the fullest. It has been said that the Knox County Country Club is one of the very few in the country where there is not numbered among its membership a single golf widow. The ladies come in for a full share of this healthful recreation. During the whole season events are arranged for the ladies, as well as the popular events in which both the ladies and gentlemen play. The Lake Bracken golf course, as originally laid out, consisted of 18 holes, but to this time the nine now being used have proven adequate, but there is satisfaction in knowing that when a larger course is needed, we have the space necessary for that purpose.
Continued History of Lake Bracken By John R'. Carlson Covering the Years 1937 - 1979
Earle Thompson's booklet "The Story of Lake Bracken and the Knox County Country Club" was written in 1937. Mr. Thompson makes is aware of the natural beauty of the entire area. The abundance of virgin stands of oak and hickory trees and the rolling hills and wooded bluffs lends an enchantment to Lake Brackets unequaled in the Midwest. It has maintained its beauty and continues to charm members and visitors alike as the drive over our excellent blacktop roads. There is nothing quite like Bracken in Illinois. Much remains the same after these fifty-five years. Roads have been enhanced with the addition of colorful maple trees and a variety of shrubs and flowers. Our golf course is carefully manicured and tended by expert hands, making it a real showcase of beauty as you enter the Club grounds.
