Guest Book | Harvey's Lake

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199 entries.

Melinda Smith from West Pittston, PA wrote on March 26, 2010 at 1:30 pm

I was just doing some research for rentals at Harvey's Lake when I came upon this site. I was lucky and priveledged to have an Uncle and Aunt who lived at Point Breeze. At first it was a summer place, and then became all season, permanent residence. So many fond memories!! They moved from the lake...but then part of the family moved back to the outlet area. Now they have moved from there. A cousin's family-in-laws still have a beautiful home on Point Breeze area. Can't find the words to describe the sheer thrill of the adventures at Harvey's Lake. My one cousin and I still talk about our adventurous hike from Point Breeze to Sunset when we around 11, and scared the entire family because we didn't let them know we were going. I also would go riding at Mowhawk. Had a friend at the Sandy Beach area...so spent many times there and at the Bottom. her mom is still down the road from the old Girl scout camp. Still remember riding the roller caoster, carousel and dodge-ems at Hanson's. Also was part of the era of dances with the local bands. Then of course there were some wild years and the beer bashes at a couple different locations. I've grown up now and know better...but all of the experiences are a part of me and who I am now. I am so thankfull to have found this site...will be passing it on to my friends and relatives. have a Good One!

Sylvia Repsher from Tunkhannock, PA wrote on March 3, 2010 at 12:06 am

What a marvelous website! There is so much of historical interest available on the site. It was with particular interest that I read the references to seamboart Captain George M Anderson (born 1869) and his daughter, Edith. We will be picking up your book at Amazon Book Store and also let relatives in New York State know the book is available so that they, too, can get a copy.

Jack Kitchen from New Orleans, LA wrote on March 1, 2010 at 2:22 pm

Thank you for your work and dedication in producing your books and this website. I found the content interesting and informative. I have hundreds of pictures from my family of the Harvey's Lake through the ages. Your information may help me determine who some of the people in the photos are and where some of them were taken. Thank you again.

Jack Evans from Sunderland, Vermont wrote on February 27, 2010 at 2:54 pm

My time at "The Lake" began in 1930. Our family owned three cottages at "POLE 213". MAR-BET-DOR = the names of three daughters, Martha, Betty and Dorcus. The second cottage was called "Sunset View", while the third was "Hiawatha" ;. My grandfather Beisel and his brother Lincoln Beisel were the owners. There were many pop fly baseball games played. We had the only spring in the area and many used it for their supply of drinking water. Our home was at 510 Carey avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA. I am now 79 years old and have many stories to tell if asked. Jack Evans, Sunderland, Vermont.

Sue E. Landskroener from Chestertown, MD wrote on February 25, 2010 at 1:37 am

Im from Shavertown and used to ride my bike from there to the lake, around it and back home. It was a great ride. As little kids we also used to have picnics at the beach and a friend of our family used to have parties on their dock. Lots of great memories.

Dean Wyant from Longmont, Colorado wrote on February 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm

As a youngster I spent my summers at my grandparent's home on Perrego Street at the lake. Sam Humphrey and Edessa Perrego were my grandparents. I have such great memories of boating, walking to Hanson's to enjoy the rides, watching movies at the drive-in and so much more. I love going back to visit as often as possible. What a treat it is to see these old videos and photos! Thank you all for sharing.

Benjamin S.Davis III from Sebring,Fl wrote on February 1, 2010 at 3:09 pm

I am another grandson of Dr.Benjamin S.Davis and grew up in Dallas,visited Harveys Lake many times as a kid. I haven't been back since 1963,gotta get up there !!!! Take care all !

Frank Davis from Orlando wrote on January 26, 2010 at 5:39 pm

I am Dr. Benjamin Davis's grandson. http://harveyslake. org/pages_drownings .htm I remember spending time at the lake as a youngster back in the late 50's/early 60's. I was surprised a handful of years ago when visiting Old Town in Kissimmee and happened upon the Merry Go Round from Harvey's Lkae...small world.

Carol McDaniels from Plymouth wrote on January 17, 2010 at 4:55 pm

This is wonderfull to have this site online. Brings back so many exciting memories. There was a spot where the girlscouts would go to camp...both day camp or over night... well I did both. I remember the one day I missed my mom so much I got out of a swimming class to go & call her back at the cabin we were staying in .. I got such an erie feeling I peed my pants right there on the phone ...lol I could'nt wait to get back to the other scouts. I also went to Jones Pancake House quite a bit with my Uncle & his girlfriend..I just loved their pancakes... so yummy ...Sandy Beach was the best !! it often reminded me of one of the beach party movies...lol ... I had gotten second degree burns though one time cause me & my sister did'nt wanna leave...ouch that hurt I tell ya...lol...our Dad came & got us after he was finished working on one of the lovely homes that was close to the beach ... good thing cause it could've been 3rd. degree burns instead of 2nd. degree. It was all great & alot of fun...but there were scarry times too ... after I had gotten married...uhhhhh... I think I was 23 or 24... my son almost drown in the lake. He was only 2 years old. Myself & my husband went fishing ...right at the spot where you enter the lake ...I believe Grotto's Pizza is there..well that's where it happened...my son lost his balance & fell in. I was frantic..he bobbed up & down 3 times.. my husband had'nt gotten a good grasp of him til he went to go down the 4th. time. ..once we got my son out of the water..we wrapped him up & got out of there quick. We went straight home & I layed with my son & thanked God we were able to save him. From then on we only visited the lake to see our relitives ....all in all I have to say Harvey's Lake is one wild & mysterious place. I'm sure glad I had the opportunity to meet this wonderfull lake... the memories will last forever...

ROBERT BROWN from FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA wrote on January 14, 2010 at 11:34 pm

I REMEMBER DAVE PUDIM AND I ALSO ATTENDED LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM 1967 UNTIL THE END OF 6TH GRADE IN 1973. MY MIND HAS LOTS OF MEMORIES OF THE AREA AND MY FRIENDS BRUCE MYERS AND DAVE HANSON WERE GOOD GUYS TO HANG AROUND WITH.

Judy (Smith) Brendel from Crossville, Tn. wrote on January 3, 2010 at 8:32 pm

I lived every summer at Harvey's Lake with my brother "Punch" and my grandmother, Nettie Hughes. We were from Luzerne originally. I was, I believe, the only female who dove from the tower at Hanson's Amusement Park. Don and Bob Hanson used to take pictures of me and use them for advertisement to entice people to visit the park from other states. I loved diving. I lived there from 1945 until 1956. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers those days.

Jon May from Dallas, TEXAS wrote on December 19, 2009 at 1:39 am

Forgot to mention, the lake did largely close down after Labor Day, but on Labor Day weekend, the Yacht Club would tie all the sailboats together and tow them around the perimeter of the lake with their sails up and red flares on each side illuminating the sails. Many others with boats would follow the flotilla around the lake, it was usually cold on the lake by Labor Day, but a great way to close out the season.

Jon May from Dallas, TEXAS wrote on December 19, 2009 at 1:31 am

I'm surprised I didn't run into some of the people posting comments, we ran on the same ground. In the 50's and 60's we had a summer cottage on Ridge Ave, at the top of Hillside. Use to ride our bikes down to Puterbaugh's each morning (Remember Ellenor, with the bright red hair? She's still alive) You could ride down and up Hillside on a bike, but Carpenter Hill was suicide downhill, impossible uphill. There use to be a merry go round just north of Joe's Pizza and the Bingo Hall. Use to get free pizza dough at Joe's and use it for fishing bait. There was an arcade around the building from Joe's Pizza. We had a ski boat we docked at the Sunset docks. Remember the swimming area at Hanson's where they had the logs you could roll on? Try that with liability issues today! Rode horses at... Read more

Barbara Zilly from Tennessee wrote on November 20, 2009 at 5:03 pm

I spent every summer visiting my aunt and uncle in Harvey's Lake. It was always the best part of my summer. From 1964 to the early 70's

Debbie Greene from Delaware wrote on November 11, 2009 at 5:33 pm

my one Aunt lived at Harvey's lake and another Aunt had a summer house there, I loved visiting my uncle had a boat and would take his girls to water ski, but I almost drowned in the lake - just couldn't swim. I do still have cousins at Harveyslake.

Betsy Ross Montileone from Sellersville,PA 18960 wrote on October 29, 2009 at 9:47 pm

My parents had a small cottage on Annabelle Avenue in Sunset from about 1958 until 1961. Our cottage was at the end of the unpaved road on the right and was the only cottage turned sideways. It was one of the "states" cottages. We thought it was great because we had indoor plumbing and hot water. We spent many happy hours at the lake with our friends and family. I remember, Joe's Pizza, the frozen custard stand, the Jones Pancake House (if you had 35 cents you had a great lunch), the diving shop, Hillside Avenue, Puterbaugh's (where we purchased the newest comic books), every weekend was party time the lake would get so crowded, going to the riding stables on the old lake road, swimming at Sunset and diving from O'Brien's cement wall, waterskiing and on rainy days playing cards and board games (no television then). I remember trying... Read more

Jack Lombardi from Shirley, NY wrote on October 18, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Thanks for evoking great memories. When I was a child, up through age 7 or 8, we spent every summer at Harveys lake. My grandparents, mom, sister & I stayed in a rented bungalow. Dad stayed in Brooklyn because he had to work but came up every weekend, and no matter what day of the week, he was there on my birthday, August 8th. My fondest memories were the speedboat rides. Those boats were beauties, with their high gloss mahogony wood & chrome accents. I loved the "Pretzel" ride. We called it the "ghost train." I guess i liked the way the car twisted & turned, kind of unpredictaly, at least to a young kid. My absolute favorite was the Dodgem cars. I think it was my last summer there when I rode those cars quite alot because the folks we rented from were somehow connected to the park. Don't remember who they were, too many years ago(nearly 60.) They had two boys, roughly my age, named Bobby and Barry. They took me exploring through old indian grounds and caves and we always got rides on the cars. I went from a novice, spinning in circles, knocking people about, to an expert, able to catch & bump whomever I wanted while avoiding those chasing me. I remember the train ride but far more enjoyed the train ride in the amusement park on the other side of the lake because it went through the woods and along the lake shore rather than just around the paved park area. Don't remember much else about that other amusement park. Wish it was all still there.

Bob Ronky from Whitehall, PA wrote on October 13, 2009 at 12:18 pm

I read with great interest your stories on Harveys Lake. I spent every summers there from 1955 to 1968. I wanted to comment on your story on Hanson's. It says that J.L. Garrahan put a small ferris wheel there in the late 40's. This may very well be true but the Ferris Wheel at the park when it closed came from Sans Souci Park at a later date. It too had been owned by my Uncle Jack and was sold to the park when he severed ties with Sans Souci. I have many fond memories of the lake and still spend 8 to 10 week ends there a year.

Dennis W. Mundy, Sr from Millstone TWp. NJ wrote on September 13, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Im 59 and Oh the memories as a child at both the Lines House and boat house on the lake and also our own vacations there. The boat rides, fishing, the Amusement Park I would love to go back and see what it looks like today

dave r from hazleton,pa wrote on August 26, 2009 at 12:02 am

i grew up in plymouth, and was at the lake like my second home, i just wish it wasn't as private as it is now. but all in all this is a great site. there was a place there called links and tyhey had some strange fish that were pulled out of the lake over the years, nice to get pictures of them, thanks dave r.