|
"In 1873 an ambitious but ill-advised project was put
through in an effort to connect Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan with a navigable
channel. The original level of Crystal Lake was, at that time, much higher
than its present level. The project was a complete failure in respect to
its accomplishing its proposed purpose. The result was the lowering of the
lake and exposing a wide stretch of beach around the entire lake and making
possible the development of Crystal Lake as a resort and residential area, as
well as the site of the village of Beulah." (Source: a monument which
stands at the original level of Crystal Lake.)
The fascinating story of this
lowering is told in The Tragedy of Crystal Lake, a copyrighted booklet
available from the Benzie Area Historical Society at 6941 Traverse Ave, PO Box 185, Benzonia MI
49616, (231)882-5539. Members of the Crystal Lake Yacht Club should be very, very
grateful to those misguided entrepreneurs in the 19th century: our club is
built on land that prior to 1873 was deep under water!
The CLYC was founded in 1931 by a group of
Chicago businessmen, who formed a yacht club "for the purpose of
fostering and promoting sailing, power boating, boat racing, and water sports of
all kinds upon and about the vicinity of Crystal Lake, Benzie County
Michigan."
At its founding in 1931, the CLYC initiation fee was set at $150 and annual dues at $25, for
the purpose of buying and maintaining three to five sailboats. Initial membership
was about 15 families, and a Sailing Master was hired at $25 per week from June
25 to August 25 to take care of the boats. Sailing lessons were offered at
a cost of $1 for two hours of instruction. On Sundays, sailing was not permitted until
after 1pm .
In 1942 land was leased from the Crystal Downs Country Club, and
a clubhouse was designed by Alexander McColl and built
through the generosity of C.W. Seabury and R.C. Borwell. The CLYC now
became a center of Crystal Lake social activities, although alcoholic beverages
were not permitted on the CLYC grounds. The following Christmas card was
sent to members in 1942:
A detailed history of the land and clubhouse development can be
read at Land History of the CLYC.
For 62 years, from 1931 through 1992, C-Scows were the mainstay
of sailing and racing at the CLYC. In 1947 Wood-Pussies were introduced for the Junior
Fleet, and Wood-Pussies were sailed until 1969, when they were replaced by Butterflies.
In 1966 E-Scows arrived at Crystal Lake, and by the early 1990s the Es had
become the "senior" fleet of the CLYC. In 1991 MC-Scows were
introduced at Crystal to replace the cat-rigged C-Scows.
By the 1950s our clubhouse had a wonderful porch along the east
and north sides. It was a great place to sit on hot, sunny days, or for
the Junior Fleet to gather on those inevitable cold, rainy days. By the
late 1960s the supports had rotted out, so it was torn down, leaving the present
open cement patio. At the top of this page and following are
pictures of the clubhouse, circa 1960,
with C-Scows and Wood-Pussies at the dock:
For Benzie County Patriot articles from the 1950s and 60s, see CLYC
Memorabilia.
Have you ever wondered about all of the large cement anchors
that lie in about 10 feet of water, for probably 500 yards to either side of the
club? These were constructed especially for the 1954 WMYA Regatta held at
Crystal Lake, a massive undertaking as indicated in the pictures below.
We'd like to thank those ambitious sailors of the 1950s, because we still use
those terrific anchors whenever the WMYA comes around.
Older members who grew up at the club remember fondly a time
when kids could really have fun -- before the days of seatbelts and
lawsuits. Behold in the picture below an early generation dive platform at
the edge of the CLYC swimming hole: it combined low and high diving boards
with a fabulous rope swing. We used to play rag-tag off this magnificent
structure for hours on end.....
Over the years, things have changed at the CLYC.
Racing now begins at 11am on Sundays, and discrete consumption of adult
beverages is permitted at club sponsored events. The clubhouse has been
expanded, and Sailing Masters now earn more than $25 per week.
Nevertheless, the CLYC remains a family operated yacht club dedicated to
imparting a vigorous love of sailing to our children. Our aim is to extend
and enhance our fond memories of summers at Crystal Lake.
|
