Local Newspaper Articles of Punderson Lake, 1907
Courtesy of:
Mr. William Jackson
C. & E. Interurban Historical Society
P.O. Box 34
Chardon, OH 44024
These pages were graciously given to me by Mr. William Jackson of the C. & E. Interurban Historical Society. They very much support my theory of a bias against my family which is reflected in the State's rendering of the historical facts. Ironically, despite my Grandfather taking Lake Punderson away from the local residents in the early 1900's, that action ultimately saved Punderson Lake for all the people.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, June 5, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
The Miller farm at Lake Punderson was sold last week to a Cleveland party named
Hoffman, who will operate a stock farm on a large scale, the specialty being a breed of
cattle whose hides are used for fine robes.
L. D. Reynolds of the Miller farm on the west shore Lake Punderson, advertises by posters
printed at The Leader office that he will sell at public auction on Tuesday, June 11, at
10 a.m., ten cow and some young stock, 2 horses, a lot of farm machinery and tools,
harness, wagons, dairy utensils, household goods, etc. Usual terms of sale; lunch at noon.
C. W. Canfield auctioneer, Frank Reuwee clerk.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, July 3, 1907, Page I
Additional Burton Locals.
No one should fail to go to Lake Punderson this 4th of July as this will be the last
season of that beautiful resort. There will be many amusements on this Fourth, such as
dancing, bathing, boating, fishing, dinners, fireworks, and a general good time.
On Friday, June 28, Martha Scott of Chagrin Falls, invited a company of girls of "Ye
olden time" to her camping ground at lake Punderson. The intervening years were put
away for the time being and fun was the order of the day, each answering to call as
Martha, Kathryn, Marcia, Celeste and Elizabeth with Dr. C. added. The day was an ideal one
and the trip over the lake in the boat "Safety" rowed by our hostess Martha, the
climb up the bank, the right of way through the grounds given by Mrs. Cleveland, all we
saw while there, the return, the dinner, the bird songs, squirrels and rabbits, and nature
in all of its June loveliness, Joined to help us to be girls again, and at night we
returned to Burton safely with only one stop for repairs on the track. Elizabeth.
This Tuesday, July Fourth, Burton people will mostly spend the day quietly at home, while
many will go to the various pleasure resorts and places of amusement. Lake Punderson will
entertain many for the last time on Independence day as this resort has been sold and will
be closed to the public Oct. 1.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, July 3, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
Max Fischer's celebrated full orchestra of Cleveland, will furnish music for the dance
at Lake Punderson the Fourth. All are invited to attend and enjoy the pleasures of this
beautiful resort for the last time before it is closed,
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, July 10, 1907, Page 4
A good share of the famous robes which are supposed to be grown on the backs of buffaloes
will grown on the backs of Geauga county steers hereafter, if the plans of W. B. Cleveland
of Burton, 0., are carried out. He has a big farm at Punderson Lake, 0., near Burton, and
has just completed experiments which have shown him that buffalo robes can be grown on a
new breed of steers he is raising. He intends to supply the big demand for buffalo robes,
which is increasing annually because of the fact that the buffalo has become almost
extinct. There is only one large buffalo farm in this country. Mr. Cleveland recently has
interested others in his project and has purchased what is known as the Miller farm on
Lake Punderson. He has acquired property surrounding the lake thru J. B. Hoffman and will,
next year, turn the immense tract into a big stock farm for breeding cattle. The new type
is a cross between the buffalo and ordinary steer. For several years Mr. Cleveland has
been experimenting with a herd of eight buffaloes on his farm. He has now succeeded in
perfecting the new type, it is said, and will shortly begin operations on a wholesale
basis. It is expected that within two years he will have a herd of more than 1,000 of the
new near buffaloes. The present summer resort on the lake is to be closed at the end of
this season, and the grounds cleared. Next spring the herd, which has already begun to
grow, will be turned loose in the immense reserve and Cleveland will be in the center of
the new buffalo robe industry. Cleveland Leader.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, July 17, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
W. B. Cleveland began last Friday drilling for gas on his Lake Punderson property.
Geauga County Record, Friday, August 16, 1907, Page I
Local Happenings.
Judge J. W. Roberts has rendered his decision in the case of Webster vs. Downey, heard
in Common Pleas Court over a month ago. The decision sustains Downey in the right to use
the waters of Punderson Lake for gristmill purposes.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, August 21, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
Let all remember the Geauga Pioneer Picnic at Lake Punderson on Friday, Aug. 30. An
interesting program of entertainment is prepared, and it will be a pleasant event,
especially to the older people. This will be the last of these pioneer picnics to be held
at beautiful lake Punderson.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, September 4, 1907, Page I
Will Meet Again.
The twenty-sixth annual picnic of the Geauga County Pioneer Association held at Lake
Punderson last Friday, decided by vote that these pleasant annual gatherings are to be
continued. On account of the turning into private uses this beautiful take resort, where
these picnics have been held ever since the organization of the association, it had been
suggested by some that they should be discontinued. But the suggestion proved to be very
unpopular and it was decided that they shall be held in the future on the Burton fair
grounds....
It was the generally expressed regret of all present that this beautiful little lake is to
be closed to the people. It has been used so many years as a popular picnic resort by the
people of this section that they have come to have a deep love for the place. It is certainly little short of a public calamity
to have these little beauty spots taken away from the people.
This is the last public gathering ever to be held here, and Geauga county people will now
have to turn to other picnic grounds for their pleasure. The Burton fair grounds and the
beautiful Burton park will become more and more popular as a substitute for Lake
Punderson, and the people of Burton extend a cordial welcome to all reunions and picnics
to come and use these local bathing spots.
This occasion was a sort of farewell for Manager J. E. Wales and wife who have so long
catered to the pleasures of the people of this place. They will be lost without their
beautiful lake home, and the people will miss their Jovial hospitality....
Geauga County Record, Friday, September 6, 1907, Page I
Closes Next Month.
Punderson Lake, one of Ohio's most beautiful resorts will be closed to the public,
Oct. 15. During the 20 years of business Mr. Wales has accumulated many household goods
and farming tools, which will be sold at public auction on Thursday, Sept. 12. As his time
is limited, the good will probably go at exceptionally low prices. The people of the
surrounding country express much sorrow at the closing of so well known and popular a
place.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, September 25, 1907, Page I
South Newbury.
The sale at Lake Punderson was not very largely attended.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, September 25, 1907, Page 5
Don't miss the Auction Sale at Lake Punderson this Wednesday,
Posters printed at The Geauga Leader office advertise a clean-out auction sale at Lake
Punderson this Wednesday, commencing at 10:00 a.m. The property to be sold includes a wide
variety of household furniture and utensils, cows, carriages, harness, and many special articles
connected with the hotel work. There are many very desirable articles, as this has all
got to be sold at this time, it will go at very low prices. C. W. Canfield auctioneer, C.
E. Williams clerk. Usual terms of sale. Ladies especially invited. Free lunch at noon. For
full particulars ,see posters.
Geauga County Record, Friday, September 27, 1907, Page I
Familiar Buildings Being Torn Down
Punderson Lake Dance Hall and Hotel Rapidly Disappearing - Resort Practically Closed
Work of removing the dance hall, hotel, and other buildings, familiar land marks of
the once famous Punderson Lake resort has been in progress for several days, and is near
completion.
Tuesday the roof of the dance hall was being removed. The buildings were owned by J. E.
Wales, but not the land. W. B. Cleveland, the new owner of Punderson Lake, offered to buy
the buildings of Wales, but the latter preferred to tear them down, thinking he could
realize more in the sale of the lumber.
Punderson Lake has long been famous as a resort for Cleveland people and one of the
prettiest bathing spots in the county. On and after Oct. 15 the place will be closed to
all visitors. No meals have been served at the lake for some time. Until that date any one
can visit the lake, but can get no accomodations (sic).
J. E. Wales has been at the Punderson Lake resort for 20 years. As yet he has not decided
as to what he will do.
The Geauga Republican, Wednesday, October 2, 1907, Page 5
Home Department.
The work of dismantling the hotel buildings at Punderson Lake is in progress.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, October 2, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
J. E. Wales, who for nearly a quarter century has ably managed the Lake Punderson
pleasure resort, has rented Mrs. J. B. Lawrence's house in Burton village and has moved
his family to it. This move marks the passing of the famous and beautiful Lake Punderson
as a pleasure resort. Mr. Wales has sold off the personal property connected with the
resort and the buildings are being torn down preparatory to removal from the place; nearly
all the land surrounding the lake has been bought by W. B. Cleveland for private purposes.
This is a matter of great regret to the people of this county as the place has for many
years been the principal picnic place of this section. The lake is one of the largest and
most beautiful bodies of water in the state and it ought not to be shut up from access by
the people. The Leader would like to see a law passed that would allow the people the
right to enforce a public privilege of using these little beauty spots.
If a rumored movement materializes we may not be without a Lake Punderson pleasure resort
in the near future. W. B. Cleveland has bought up nearly all the land surrounding the
lake, but the present Punderson farm corners onto the water for several hundred feet, and
it is proposed that anew resort be established on this land. It is claimed that the
surface of the lake is no man's property and can legally be used by anyone who can get
onto it without trespassing on any of the surrounding land. For this reason it is said
that Mr. Cleveland cannot control the lake until he secures control of all the surrounding
lands. Mr. Cleveland can buy this big Punderson farm for $15,000, but even after that the
C. & E. railroad owns a large frontage, and no one can prevent that company unloading
train loads of passengers onto the lake, if this claim be true. This new Punderson resort
will be about midway between the two roads of the E. 0. T. Co.
At the W. B. Cleveland place at Lake Punderson a good vein of gas was struck last
Saturday. The drillers had been at work for several weeks and had got down about 750 feet
when the flow at a good pressure was struck. The gas will be used to heat and light the
home and kennels of the place.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, October 2, 1907, Page 8
South Newbury.
Drillers on the W. B. Cleveland farm struck a vein of gas which promises to be very
valuable.
Geauga County Record, Friday, October 4, 1907, Page I
Fortune In Gas Goes To Waste
Million Feet a Day Escapes From Well Discovered at Lake Punderson
A gas well, believed to have the strongest pressure of any in northern Ohio, has been
struck on the farm of W. B. Cleveland, the wealthy Cleveland manufacturer. It is at
present flowing at the rate of 1,000,000 feet a day and the drillers have been unable to
cap it. The farm adjoins Punderson Lake.
For two and a half months W. M. Dabney, well driller, sought gas on Cleveland's farm. The
formation adjoining the lake was found to be mainly of sand and indicated that in the
remote past the lake was 315 feet deep, as the borings showed drift sand to that depth.
The present depth of the lake is sixty-five feet.
Gas was struck at 605 feet. At 735 feet the big deposit was encouraged. The gas shot up
with fearful force and drilling was at once abandoned. The contractor is not yet able to
cap the well, so great is the pressure.
Of all the 500 wells or more in the shale formation about Cleveland this one is thought to
be the biggest.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, October 9, 1907, Page 8
Middlefield.
Much interest is manifested here in the Lake Punderson gas well, and it will not be
surprising if a test well is drilled here as soon as necessary arrangements are made.
Geauga County Record, Friday, October 17, 1907, Page I
Geauga Towns Are After Gas
The discovery of the big gas well at Lake Punderson has set two Geauga County towns
agog, with the belief that there is plenty of it near them, and that it is their supply of
heat and light in the future...
The big well at Punderson was capped last week and has a pressure of 300 pounds. Equipment
for heating and lighting his residence and kennells (sic) is soon to be installed by W. B.
Cleveland.
Geauga County Record, Friday, November 1, 1907, Page I
Found Dead At Punderson Lake
Harry Bradford Weak from Exhaustion Falls and Perishes In Heavy Rain Storm of Sunday Night
Lying where he had fallen during the heavy rainstorm of Sunday night, and partly
submerged in a pool of water, the body of Harry Bradford, aged 60, was found Monday
morning, near one of the cottages at Punderson Lake.
James Wales, son of J. E. Wales, made the grewsome (sic) discovery while working about the
grounds of the Punderson Lake resort....
He left his home to go to Middlefield, late Saturday. He was seen several times at Lake
Punderson, Sunday. Harry Price, who is in the employ of W. B. Cleveland, warned Bradford
late in the afternoon that he had better go home, and Bradford is said to have replied
that he would.
Evidently overcome by intoxication, Bradford sank to the ground, and could not survive the
severe exposure of the heavy storm...
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, November 6, 1907, Page I
At the County Seat.
Common Pleas Court.
New cases commenced- W. B. Cleveland vs. Ella Punderson and Lemuel Punderson action to
recover real estate. Plaintiff claims about 5 acres of land around Lake Punderson now
claimed and occupied by Punderson. T. H. Bushnell att'y for plaintiff
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, November 6, 1907, Page 5
Burton and Vicinity.
W. B. Cleveland has commenced suit in common pleas court to recover from L. L.
Punderson a small piece of land which she claims the Punderson's are keeping out of
possession of Mr. Cleveland has bought nearly all the land surrounding Lake Punderson, and
this small piece in litigation would complete his ownership of the shores of the lake
excepting that owned by the C. & E. railroad company. The land in question measures a
fraction less than five acres.
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, November 20, 1907, Page I
History of a Well.
W. B. Cleveland at Lake Punderson, is lighting and heating his residence with gas from
his new well.
The Geauga Republican, Wednesday, November 27, 1907, Page 5
Home Department.
The buildings at Lake Punderson have been entirely removed, giving the grounds a deserted
appearance.
("Clevelandreferences.wpd)
The Geauga Leader, Wednesday, July 31, 1907, Page 4
For Sale at Lake Punderson
All Buildings, large and small, sold separate if desired, possession to be reserved
until Oct. 1: - 2 Cottages, 1 Engine House, 1 Ice Cream Stand, 1 Sugar House, 1 Bowling
Alley and Shop, 1 Bath House, 1 Dance Hall (2 story with 16 rooms), the Hotel proper with
28 rooms, 1 Granary, 1 Ice House, 1 Barn, 2 Sheds, 1 Hen House.
Articles that can be delivered at once as sold: - 1 Gasoline Launch, 1 new Cash Register,
1 Mowing Machine, 1 Milwaukee Binder, Plow, Drag, other Farming Tools, 1 Soda Fountain, 1
Coffee Urn 5 gal., 1 Pie Screen, 1 new family Cook Stove, 5 Heating Stoves, 1 hard coal
Stove, 25 Wire Mattress Cots, 1 Barber Chair, 15 Picnic Tables 3 x 16 with Seats for same,
1 Washing Machine, 1 gross Fruit Cans, 2 60-gal Oil Tanks, 1 Surrey, 1 Buggy, 1 Ice Plow
and a first class set of Ice Tools with runaway all complete.
For sale to be delivered Oct. 1: - All Beds, Bedding, Dressers, Comodes, Carpets, Chairs,
Rockers, Curtains, Curtain Poles, all Bedroom Furniture, Dining room Furniture, Extension
Tables, Chairs, Sideboard, Side Tables, Tablecloths, Napkins; Kitchen Furniture, 8-hole
Range, Hot Water Tank, copper Steam Table, Galvanized Iron Oven, Granite ware, Dippers,
10-gallon Coffee Urn, Gasoline Stove, Silverware, Crockery of all descriptions, from 1 to
30 gallon Crocks, Cupboards, Coolers, Ice Cracker, Ice Water Tanks; Office Furniture,
Showcases, Scales, Glassware, Worktable, Peanut Warmer, 2 Pool Tables, Marble Washstand,
Gum Machine, Lamps, Acetylene Gas Machine with 50-light outfit and all fixtures, 2 20-gaI
Water Tanks and Gaspipe, Tools too numerous to mention; a 2 h.p. Fairbanks Gasoline
Engine, 1 power Washing Machine, 1 Mangle, 1 10-gal. Ice Cream Freezer, Pulleys and
Shafting, 250 new Galvanized Sap Buckets, 14 gaI Gathering Tank, 1 Sap Sled, all
first-class; 1 fire-proof Safe, a lot of Steel and Wooden Boats.
This property must all be sold now, and will go at bargain prices.
J. E. Wales, Propir.
Burton, Ohio, Postoffice.
(LakePundersonauction.wpd)
This page was last edited by WBCIII on 09/28/08.