The Friday Flyer, April 20, 2007 - Article: Elinor's History of Canyon Lake

Public Notices - DBA Info • CONTACT US: News Department • Display Advertising • Classified Advertising

At top, three generations of Evans family were working the counter of the Evans Fish Camp when this picture was taken in 1946. From left are John and Darleen Kirkland, Alpha and Ray Schekel (back), George and Leta Evans, Minnie and Darrell King, and Elinor, holding nephew, David Kirkland. In the middle, the draining of the lake in 1949 left the resort high and dry. This photo shows the lake bottom exposed, with Treasure Island to the left and the point for the Lodge site on the right. The cabins were used for rentals and sometimes an employee stayed in one, according to Elinor. Donald Martin stands with his cattle in the location of today's Mariner's Bay. At bottom, the red cattle barn built in 1947 was used in the Evans' cattle operation. The barn still stands next to Summerwood Landing, above Loch Lomond Dr.

Elinor's History of Canyon Lake – Evans Fish Camp left high and dry

     The following information and photos are provided by Canyon Lake resident Elinor Martin, whose family ranched in the area of Canyon Lake and Menifee Valley since the late 1800s. Elinor’s pictorial book, “Images of America: Canyon Lake,” is on sale for $19.99 at the Canyon Lake Market, Pepe’s Restaurant and Pack, Wrap and Post, as well as at the POA Member Services desk. Elinor also has copies of the book for those who would like to call her at 244-9497.

Fish Camp left high and dry
     In 1944, the army leased a site at Indian Beach to train soldiers in water exercises, according to Elinor Martin, who shows a drawing detailing the site in her book, “Images of America Canyon Lake.” The soldiers were required to jump from a tower carrying a full backpack and swim to shore. In addition, troops from Camp Haan often staged war games around the lake.
     In the summers, however, three generations of the Evans family could be found running the Fish Camp, setting up a store where customers could buy fishing and camping permits, rent boats and purchase bait and tackle.
     Elinor’s older sisters, Alpha Schekel and Darleen Kirkland and their husbands, Raymond and John, operated the resort from 1946 until about 1950 when the lake was closed.
     Temescal Canyon Water Company needed to repair the floodgates of the dam so it drained the lake in 1949, releasing the water into Lake Elsinore. Fish were relocated to other lakes. Only a small pond of water remained behind the dam, leaving the resort high and dry.
     “It was exciting to discover all the old fishing lures and unusual items that were lost when the lake was full,” says Elinor.
     The Evans family kept a herd of about 300 cattle for over 20 years and they grazed on 3,000 acres of leased or owned land surrounding the lake. When the lake bottom dried out, they could be found grazing in areas that would now be Mariners Bay and all over the area later developed into Canyon Lake.
     A barn built in 1947 was used in the cattle operation, and still stands on property now owned by Summerwood Landing, above Loch Lomond Dr. Elinor still remembers the days when she would drive the truck for her husband, Donald Martin, while he tossed bales of hay to the Whiteface Herefords. An annual roundup brought the herd to the barn, where the calves were separated from their mothers. Calves weighing 300 to 400 lbs. went to the livestock market in Los Angeles.
     The lake reopened April 15, 1953, after the heavy winter rains of 1952. While Don finished up his military service, Elinor and her mother, Leta, ran the resort until he returned in 1954; then the three of them continued to run it until 1968.
     With the resort located at what is now known as Holiday Harbor, they leveled new pads for additional campsites and built more cabanas – covering them with redwood lumber instead of palm fronds to reduce the fire hazard.