Did You Know?

Montreat was always intended to have a lake.  The earliest map of the area indicates a “proposed lake” essentially where Lake Susan is now. The first dam was a wooden structure that leaked more often than not but nonetheless the lake attracted many swimmers and hosted Stunt Day each summer. 

This picture is from the Stunt Day of 1912.  Some people in Montreat were not pleased with the bathing attire they were seeing. In August 1914 the Managing Committee voted that bathing suits “must have sleeves extending at least half way from the shoulder to the elbow, and skirts or pants extending below the knees.  Any person or persons violating this ordinance shall be fined from ($1.00) dollar to five ($5.00) dollars and cost of the action.” 

Evidently this fine did not have the desired effect because five years later, in August 1919, the Managing Committee again addressed the issue by voting to “condemn the use of immodest suits by males and females.”  The committee did not define “immodest” but asked that people “provide themselves with bathing suits such as are prescribed in the ordinances and rules of Montreat.”  

Compliance continued to be a problem. On August 21, 1921, Stunt Day, a resolution was read to the public indicating that people violating the swimsuit regulations would not be allowed to use the lake.  That didn’t work, either.  Finally, in July 1925 the Board of Directors referred the matter to the Women’s Civil Club, asking that the women” talk this matter up and see if they cannot induce bathers to wear costumes which will conceal more of the person than those now worn . . .”  President Anderson was to report back to the Board at the next meeting. 

That report seems not to have been made.  Perhaps it was time to give up on such matters, since less than a year later the Board repealed an ordinance on the books since 1915 banning the sale of cola drinks in Montreat.

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for even more Montreat history and so much more.