Club History
The Four Lakes Yacht Club came into existence in 1936 when about a dozen boating enthusiasts created an organization called the Four Lakes Boat Club. Its purpose, primarily, was to promote boating but good fellowship and having fun were equally important. A cottage on Winnequah Point was rented so that the members might have a place to rendezvous after boating, and was the scene of many picnics and steak fries. The steak grill was eventually stolen, and when it was replaced, the log chain which secured it to a nearby tree would have made even Paul Bunyan envious. In those early days, the boats were mostly outboards; in fact, about the best outfit in the fleet was a Thompson or Dunphy with a 22HP Evinrude or a 33 Johnson.
Monthly meeting were held in the cottage, and the members never failed to have a good supply of food and well-iced bottle goods on hand to add to the general sociability. Because the cottage and lot were so small, membership had to be limit, and as a result, the group became a big, happy family, none of whom will ever forget the good times they had.
The owner of the cottage decided that he wanted to use it himself during the summer months, and a search was begun for larger quarter. Many boat owners were anxious to join the congenial group, and it was felt that by expanding, a great deal more could be done toward promoting safe boating on the Madison lakes. Fortunately, at this time representatives of the Monona Community Association (an organization pg East Side and Wilson Street business men) suggested that the Boat Club merge with them and use their club house which was the old Wirka Boat House at the foot of South Hancock Street. The original purpose of the Monona Association had been to do away with the decrepit and unsightly boat houses which lined the shore of Lake Monona along the railroad tracks form South Blair to South Broom Streets – an achievement which led to the development of Law Park. Now that the project had been completed, they felt that there no need to keep up the club house, but yet hesitated to disband completely. The merger of the two groups was a happy solution tot the problems of both, and the new organizations became The Four Lakes Club.
A tremendous amount of work was required to repair, remodel and repaint the building, and the members spent many nights and weekends at hard labor before the place was ship-shape. The building was leased form the city for one dollar a year, but getting the cash to cover running expenses (particularly the enormous heating bills) became a major problem. Since Bingo was legal at that time, this problem was pleasantly solved by holding weekly Bingo parties which became so popular that our capacity of 300 was often exceeded and some of the guests had to be turned away. The membership by this time was 100 and we had acquired a full time caretaker who accepted living quarters for part of his salary.
When Bingo became illegal, another source of income had to be found, not only to pay operating expenses but to establish a building fund, for it was a certainty that the city would soon complete the Law Park project and our club house have to go. It was decided to hold an Aquatennial each year from June 28th through the Fourth of July, and these were so successful that by the time the city asked us to vacate the building (June 24.1948) our efforts had netted us a substantial building fund.
Property on the city side of the lake was much too costly for the club budget, and it was necessary to store the furniture and fixtures while other possibilities were explored. Though the club was without a home, meetings were held at the Club Hollywood or any other place available. A few dances and parties were held in an attempt to keep the members interested, but most of the social members were eventually lost. When the present property was bought, there were about 25 boating members remaining to undertake the job of building our first 50 x 80 concrete block building, and there about $5,500.00 in the treasury to spend on it.
Ground was broken on August 25, 1950, and except for a mason and his two helpers, and a carpenter (for three or four days) all of the work was done by the loyal 25 members who donated their time and muscles. By October 15th, the building was completely closed in, and there were twenty three inboard runabouts and cruisers in storage. The following summer, some slips were built and inside the building, a partition divided the area into two parts, one for storage (now double-decked) and the other for a club room. The room was decorated, the original bar set up, the old furniture brought in, and the members proudly began the job of building up their club, which at long last, had a home of its own.
In the summer of 1952, work was completed on the kitchen, toilet facilities, furnace room, and heating system. Again, all the work was done by the club members. Until this time, sewer service was not available, and none of the members are likely to forget the Chick Sale contrivance which nestled against the side of the building. The acquisition of water and sewer facilities made it possible to get the bar into complete operation, and the club was able to increase its membership as well as its revenue.
In the fall of 1955, construction was begun on another 50 x 80 concrete block building. Hoist facilities were installed, concrete aprons built on the river side of the building, and after the lot was graded, the enclosed parking area was completed. A new concrete platform was built on the south side of the original building, and more slips and a new pier were constructed.
In 1957, a new bar and bar-room were added, air conditioning installed, and the club house room was remodeled. In 19558, double deck storage was instituted in Building #2 to increase its capacity. In the spring of 1959, the bar room was increased in size, and an all-new bar, back bar, and seating accommodations were added.
This, then is the history in brief of the Four Lakes Yacht Club – an organization which started on the proverbial shoe string and grew to its present size because people who love boats and boating contributed freely of their time and energy, and were able to see a dream become a reality.