Loup Generator — Fall 2020

The amusement resort hoped to
secure a long-term lease for Lake
Babcock’s shoreline.
But that proved more difficult than
Loup officials and the corporation
anticipated.
On Dec. 26, 1939, the Loup
Board approved a 50-year lease
for the Corporation, costing $1 per
year. It granted exclusive use and
development of Lake Babcock and
adjacent lands through Jan. 1, 1989.
The board had to rescind that lease
a couple of months later because the
PWA refused approval of the contract,
insisting that Loup directors should
retain direct supervision and control
of the lake.
In the end, the Board leased the
lake to the Resort for one year,
ending January 1, 1941.
It was around this time that a local
Sea Scouts unit organized.
Sea Scouts is a Boy Scout program
designed to improve boating skills
and safety. The Columbus unit, called
a ship, had 10 boys and young men.
“Columbus Sea Scouts will be
particularly favored because of the
proximity of Lake Babcock as an
ideal base of operations,” Skipper
William Haney told the Telegram in
November 1939.
They did, indeed, become integral
to Lake Babcock’s recreation.
“Arrangements were made
to have the Sea Scouts maintain
the concession stand at the lake
during the summer months. Their
duties would be to maintain a 24
hour service, protect the District’s
property and boats of customers.
8 GENERATOR
Administer First Aid in cases of
emergency, and issue boating
permits at the Lake,” read the Loup
board minutes from July 10, 1940.
In May 1940, the Yacht Inn opened
at Lake Babcock. Sea Scouts Kenneth
Mueller and Fred Raymond were the
operators.
“Through an arrangement with
the Lake Babcock Amusement resort,
the SS Half Moon, Columbus Sea
Scout ship, has secured use of the
residence along the lake shore and
are offering a 24-hour service in soft
drinks, coffee, sandwiches and other
delicacies for boaters, anglers and
sightseers,” reported the Telegram.
The proceeds were to be used for
nautical equipment and perhaps a
base on one of the lake’s islands.
A few months later, it was
reported that they were doing well.
“The boys do a rushing
business on thirst annihilators and
confections.”
THE RESORT’S LAST YEARS
In the spring of 1941, the Lake
Babcock Amusement Resort was still
active. F.O. Gottschalk, chairman of
the boating committee, wrote a letter
to Leonard Flesicher dated March 29,
1941.
“The association is very anxious to
get facilities at Lake Babcock in good
shape so that it will be a first-class
boating resort,” he wrote.
He was looking for people who
might donate 50-gallon oil barrels
for a dock since they had no money.
He also suggested the formation of
a boat club with a membership fee of
$5 to help raise funds.
That May, the Telegram reported
that a 10-stall boat house had only
two spots left.
“Resort officers are more enthused
than ever that Lake Babcock shores
will eventually become a mecca for
water sports lovers and picnickers.
“They sagely admit popularity of
substantial volume is a matter for the
future . . . In the meantime, Resort
officials are continually planning,
and affording boaters and fisherman
the best sport possible,” noted the
Telegram on May 24, 1941.
However, by the next year, the
Amusement Resort was referred to as
Loup’s “recreation committee.”
A hunting debate at the lake
was making more news than cabin
cruisers and surfers.
By November of 1942, the
Loup Board agreed to pay for
improvements made by the resort.
“It was the general opinion of
Board members present that such
bills be paid by the District providing
the work done and improvements
made had some actual physical
value toward the betterment and
improvement of recreational facilities
in connection with Lake Babcock.”
It is unclear exactly when the
Resort died out, but it was most likely
late 1942 or 1943.
The lake itself, had troubles of
its own. Boaters began to diminish
as anglers increased. The lake had
been stocked and the fish had time to
grow. An Telegram article from 1943
notes it’s popularity.
“Lake Babcock was probably the
most popular spot in Columbus
Sunday and Monday . . . The crappies
were biting and this is the reason for
the big attraction.”
By the late 1940s, the lake began
to fill with silt, making boating more
difficult.
Lake Babcock—and Lake North
in later years—also lost some of its
luster as bigger and better lakes came
along.
The Harlan County Dam and
reservoir opened in 1952, followed a
few years later by Lewis & Clark Lake.
The Sherman Dam and reservoir
were created in 1961.
In the early 1960s, Loup began
to study the feasibility of adding an
extension to the lake.
Loup officials decided the
additional water storage was needed
to provide the necessary electricity
at peak requirement times. This was
lest costly than dredging out Lake
Babcock.
When Lake North opened in 1964,
it captivated local crowds much as
Lake Babcock had more than 25 years
earlier — hosting ski shows and
other large events.
Today, Lake Babcock is much
quieter than it once was. Visitors
seek wildlife and peace, rather than
thrilling races.
But that’s OK. At least the crappies
are still biting.