Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-21
LAKE WASSOOKE
A Charming Retreat in the
Town of Dexter.
What the WaIdheim Association Has
Done For It.
John Quill Tells of a Recent Visit tc
Its Shores.

Just off the beaten path of travel on
the NJ. c. r. R., Dover & Foxcroft
branch. in the little town of Dexter, is
one of the prettiest sheets of water
that lies out OF doors. 1t is one of the
chain of lakes that derive their source
of supply from the numerous brooks
and streams coming down from the
nil and mountain side. The lake it
self is some five miles in length by ]
mile in width. It's waters are as clear
as crystal. The bottom and shores oi
the lake are of a rocky formation with
an abundance of sand on its beaches
The old Indian name, Wassookeag
still clings to it.
The lower portion of the lake is just
visible from the car window but to Set
the lake properly or at its best on;
must drive out some four miles over
the beautiful shore road that skirts its
entire distance to appreciate it,
beauty. Where the Indians once fished
and hunted or erected their Wigwams
on it's secluded forest shore the white
man now casts a fly or plows the rip
ping waters with his steam or naph-
tina launch, and on its shores builds his
summer nome, far from the rum and
hustle of city life. Here with his fam
| lily and friends he swings in his ham
neck While the refreshing breeZes from
off the lake fan his brow and bring
back to his cheeks the healthy sun
brown so essential to good health.
The Waldheim Association, Dexter
corporation with bylaws and rules
fpr no Iaynlnn11pylt n
| this little retreat It's property is held
under a perfect title and sold TO each
member under d sort<of lease. Tbs
association is very exclusive and Whef
once it's members decide that Mr. So
and-So is not desirable as a member OF
| the colony. be he j. p. Morgan or (,
Vanderbilt, he cannot acquire land OF
pitch his tent on their reservation OF
even play in their back yard. As they
own an immense tract, practically the
| whole of the west shore, no undesirable
| remnant need apply. The association
by it's efforts have changed the location
| of the county read SO that it runs
| closer to the shore thus avoiding sonit
high hills which were not desirable t
| climb. The road rs it is now locata1
| makes a circle of the entire lake. 1t IS
| shady and cool and runs mostly
| through the forest and within sight OF
| the lake all the way. The association
! or it's members have, built some II cot
| tages facing the lake with ample
| grounds and driveways in the rear
Like Venice, every man here owns a
boat and canoes and he uses them as
means of transportation but, unlike
Venice about every man keeps a
spanking good team or an automobll2
and when The water loOses fascination
and charm, moonlight drives are III
order.
The lake is we'll supplied with fish
ard unless a man gets an oVerabund-
arce of that restful feeling in his sys-
| TEN that ne can't shake off he can Keep
his table well supplied with brain food
without calling upon his middicrnan.
To those who enjoy club life, the
club house on the point appeals to
them. Here is all the conveniences of
home without any of its care and
worry. Cne is always sure of findini,
| a Jolly party here at the club house
ready for whist, tennis, sailing or any
out door sport.
The lake boasts of one island, mid
wav out from the Ripley shore. 1t is
Cooks island, a sheltered spot with
good wharves and walks. A pavilion
has been built on the high ground AMI
occasionally in the moonlight hours,
he sound of an orchestra interspersed
with merry laughter comes floating
over the waves. There is something in
the alr UP here conducive to sleep, and
ones appetite, like a poor relation, is
always with him. My friends of Camp
Wassookeag, whose guest / was dur
ing my stay, ever solicitous of my
health and welfare, thought seriously
of putting in an artificial respiration
ar paratus, as even breathing is dis
trcssing sometimes.
over on the east shore the Wilson's OF
New York located some years ago.
They came here on a visit, Were.
charmed with the place and purchased
a number of acres on the lake front
with buildings ct cetera and started
in to make home for themselves.
Money was expended without stint
New buildings We're erected after the
log cabin pattern, q steamer was pur-
chased and put into condition, row
boats, sail beats and canoes were add
&c to the fleet. Then came the entire
family and friends with their retir,ie
of servants and n pack of blood hounds
The Moose Horn, as the place WIS
called IL those days, was lively spot.