Today, it is best known as Gardner’s largest natural body of water and so named because of its purity and clearness. You may not realize it today, looking at the placid waters and pristine setting, but Crystal Lake once was a booming entertainment center.
For the past century it has supplied Gardner with its drinking water, and it was through that necessity that caused the recreation area to cease to exist.
The grounds once featured an elaborate picnic grove, an outdoor bowling alley, a steam-powered carousel, a dance pavilion and a baseball diamond. In addition, the lake was well stocked with rowboats and several steamships that traversed Gardner’s largest waterway.
In a paper prepared for the Gardner Historical Society by Mrs. Lucy Kendall in 1932, the origin of Crystal Lake was explored, as was the history of the park, which was a feature of the recreational area.
Originally known as Wells’ Pond, so named for a Thomas Wells who settled in the area and owned some of the land adjoining the pond, the name was not an official one. As late as 1857, a map book refers to the water source as simply Gardner Pond.
That all changed, however, when at an October 1858 Town Meeting a committee looked at land in the western section of the pond to erect a burying ground. At that point, the committee resolved that Gardner Pond would be named Crystal Lake and that the cemetery be called Crystal Lake Cemetery.
In 1872, the Boston, Barre and Gardner railroad came up from Worcester through the town and across the lake. There is a peninsula that bisects Crystal Lake with what was once known as Little Lake, where the railroad crossed the area. Little Lake eventually became the outdoor swimming pool at Greenwood Memorial Pool.
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A year earlier, John Hill of Gardner purchased several rowboats that could be rented for a leisurely row across the lake. Eventually, the word got out about the beautiful landscape and crystal waters, making it a much sought-after recreational area.
After the railroad was completed, the railroad managers saw the possibilities of a picnic grove on the west shores — in the present vicinity of the 11th hole on the Gardner Municipal Golf Course. Money was appropriated to clean up the area, build tables and seats, and swings were set up. Eventually, a cookhouse was built where coffee and chowder were available, and a dance pavilion was constructed.
Hill, who was then known by the title “Commodore,” purchased more boats until he boasted quite a fleet. The new Crystal Lake Grove would become a very popular picnicking spot. On some summer days trains – with as many as 12 to 13 cars packed with people – would descend upon the grove from as far away as Worcester, while smaller trains arrived from Winchendon and Peterborough, N.H.
Building up the resort area
Every year, more improvements would be made to the grounds. In 1875, a large pavilion was constructed; roofs were put up over tables and an icehouse was built and filled for the winter. In the summer season, large tubs of refreshing ice water were set out to satisfy the crowds. A merry-go-round was also a popular attraction for the younger generation.
Eventually, a small steamer was also purchased, which reportedly did a thriving business on the lake.
The Crystal Lake Hotel was also built on the shores not far from the Heywood Brothers pumping station. In June of 1880, a suspicious fire badly damaged one of the wings of the building. Hand tubs from the Torrent, Baw Bees and Cataract engine companies provided the aid.
By 1881, Hill sold his interests to Henry Foster who built a house not far from the present shores where the Gardner Elks Club is located. In 1895, a trolley line was built, running from Lake Street to the park to carry the crowds who flocked there every afternoon and evening.
An attractive restaurant building was constructed nearby where meals were served every day during the season the park was open. In addition, the old merry-go-round was sold and moved to the picnic grove at Lake Dennison in Winchendon. It was replaced by a new and handsome steam carousel with eight chariots and 24 galloping horses circling to the accompaniment of a musical organ.
Several other attractions of the former picnic grove were also retained, including the bowling alley, a shooting gallery, a refreshment stand and a photographic studio. In addition, blasting and rock removal provided a suitable baseball diamond and a grandstand with a seating capacity of 450, allowing “the National Game” – as it was called – to thrive on the grounds.
Marcus A. Osgood eventually leased the place and traveling companies presented popular vaudeville entertainment every afternoon and evening during August. The trolley line was a popular mode of transportation, but many of the less prosperous made the trip to the pavilion across a lush pasture. They would simply stand around the edge of a group of seats where they could catch a glimpse of the stage without having to purchase a ticket.
Those who preferred to traverse the area in a rowboat could enjoy orchestra music as they floated along the calm waters. It was said to have been a very pleasant way to spend a moonlit evening, and many matches were reportedly made amidst the ideal romantic conditions.
In October of 1890, the Gardner Boat Club built its clubhouse north of the present location of the doomed pumping station on the eastern shores of the lake. A nearby bicycle track was popular for leisurely rides while there were also bicycle races held during Independence Day celebrations of the town.
However, these pleasures would soon end as around 1904 the state took control of Crystal Lake for use as the town’s water supply and prohibited its use for any other purpose. The boats and the steamer were taken off the lake, the boathouse torn down and the park closed.
A Victory Drive
In 1919, after the end of World War I, it was proposed that a “Victory Drive” be created as a memorial to the world war. The road would encircle the lake, beginning at the northerly end of Crystal Lake Cemetery with the ridge giving a sweeping view of the east shore of the lake. The drive would wind around the north end past the old picnic grove, permitting access to Clark Street. It would then pass through the Heywood Grove on the grounds of the former Heywood Farm, and then wind up past the pumping station to Park Street and Monument Park.
However, that plan never materialized. Eventually, the area surrounding Crystal Lake became home to Greenwood Memorial Pool, Gardner Municipal Golf Course, Heywood Hospital, Veterans Memorial Skating Rink and the Gardner Lodge of Elks.
A bike trail connects Park Street with Green Street and a portion of the golf course enjoys the beauty of the expansive Crystal Lake, although it may be a water hazard for some golfers.
There are few who know Crystal Lake as anything more than the city’s water supply. Yet there was a time when it was one of the area’s most visited entertainment centers.
Comments and suggestions for Then and Now can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.
