Candlewood Lake from a 1930s Point of View

I feel like I'm arriving a little late to the party. The official birthday of Candlewood Lake was September 28 and at 83 years old I assume that geologically it is still an infant, or compared to natural bodies of water, a zygote. It is a beautiful resource and landmark none the less. In fact, it was once described as Connecticut's Lake George.

In celebration of the birthday lake and as a late gift, I have a selection of Candlewood Lake memories I found years ago... and just last week. The piece in the nicest condition is a pamphlet from the Candlewood Lake Club on the Brookfield/New Milford border. This was billed as a select colony that required approval by a board before you could buy or build. This pamphlet was one of two I found in a northern New Milford estate sale. The other one I donated to friends who live there. 

The other brochures are part of a larger story of which this article will be considered part 1, but it all started with a small Craig's List ad, a nearly empty house in Danbury, a dumpster and one phrase, “Make an offer.” As a result I was welcomed into the childhood home of three brothers who were cleaning it out and selling it for their invalid father. 

When a family decides to clean house I know from experience that very little is saved, as one of the brothers said to me as he tossed items in a dumpster, “Where are going to you put it all?” I know he was speaking rhetorically but it didn't stop me from trying to answer by putting at least some of it in my car. I came away with several photo albums and an entire suitcase of memories and sympathy for a nice family with a difficult task.

It was at the bottom of the old suitcase that I found the two other brochures (pictured) — Candlewood Isle in New Fairfield and Birch Groves in New Milford. Two very nice and established communities today, but back in the early ‘30s it was a developer’s feast to take this new lake and split up every parcel and offer it as a vacation spot. Many New York and New England residents with a little bit of money and a vacation home on their wish list visited, explored, toured and decided to buy. 

Take a look at more from the pages from these brochures and enjoy views of this Connecticut lake when it was surrounded mostly by woodland and pasture.

Greg Van Antwerp is a Brookfield resident and blogger, who can be found on the weekends in search of a good “dig” or a good story. You can read more about his adventures by visiting his blog.