Lake Juanita is described as a fresh water body, located in Florence Township, in the northeastern portion of Foster County. It covers land on sections 15-17-19. It contains about 531 acres of water at low water mark. At times it has covered as much as one and a half sections of land.
If the water of the lake could speak, oh, what a story it could tell of the various people who came to visit its shores. But since that is not possible, the next best thing is to attempt to reconstruct some of the happenings through out the last one hundred plus years. The sources of the information being the memories of people who lived in the area, newspaper stories, as well as reports that have been gathered by State Historian, Dana Wright.
From the very early years there is evidence that it was a favorite camping place for the wandering tribes of Indians. Stones arranged in circles may still be seen in the Leo Gauderman pasture on the east side of the lake where the tents were set up.
One of the earliest recorded expeditions was the group of men led by Governor Isac Stevens, who was commissioned to make a preliminary survey of the land for the possible placement of a railroad in 1853. In his travels across Foster County he stopped by a little stream that flowed into the northeast corner of the Lake. In his report he described the lake "almost entirely surrounded by sloughs".
While they were camped there they were waiting for a Civil Engineer, A. W. Tikham, who was sent to the south when the party left Lake Jessie in search of Bald Hill Creek's headwaters.
(From the Report)
His failure to rejoin the party at Lake Belland, caused alarm and "three howitzer shots at sunrise were fired to let him know our direction." As he did not return the second day, "James Doty with a company of men was left to keep up fires and to fire three rounds with the howitzer at noon and sunset." Engineer Tinkham had about 20 men with him. (A story told by Adline Potter to E.L. Horton):
"A cannon ball was found on the west side of the lake in a gravel pit by W.H. Potter's men, about six feet under ground during the summer of 1915. It is thought it must have rolled into a badger hole. Mr. Potter, Grace City, North Dakota still has the ball. Bradley buried the cannon ball so that it could be found.
The next expedition to visit the lake was led by Captain James L. Fish, who was leading a party of men to the gold fields in Montana. They followed approximately the same course as Governor Stevens. In his report he states: "at 21 1/4 miles (from Lake Jessie) we passed a very beautiful lake, almost perfectly round and a mile and a half in diameter, with clear water and low white sandy beach, which he named Lake Townsend in honor of the assistant adjutant general of the United States.
"We tarried on the shore of this lake and grazed our stock and then made ten miles more before making camp on the 18th of July, 1862."
According to Mr. Wright this was the first attempt on naming the lake.
In 1867 the Fort was established at Devils Lake called Fort Totten. For several years it was supplied from Fort Stevenson on the Missouri River, a distance of 128 miles overland. Mail and light supplies came cross country from Fort Abercrombie on the Red River, but either route was dangerous, tedious and at times, very dangerous.
In 1872 the Northern Pacific railroad reached the Crossing of the James River, where Jamestown is now situated. A military post was established, called Fort Seward. They set up plans to supply Fort Totten from this point, thus saving some 40 miles.
The trail nearly paralleled the James River north as far as Lake Belland (the new name for this lake). It was named after Joe Belland, who was a hunter and trader. He lived on the west side of the lake. "Tradition credits him with keeping a road house and that he came in 1866." He is believed to have remained until 1876 when Mr. Larrabee arrived on the scene.)
Mrs. W.H. Potter believed that Belland was one of Steven's guides, as a man by that name was with the Steven's company (from E.L. Horton report).
Dana Wright writes:
"The original rest camp was on the west side of the lake in the southeast corner of section 18-147-63 in Foster county, two miles west of Grace City. The old dugout site may still be seen, near the mouth of Belland Creek and facing east onto the lake. Belland's record was obscure. He seems to have been a mixed blood person from Devils Lake. Whether he was located there as a hunter-trapper before the trail, or settled on the lake to accommodate travelers is unknown. Nor do we know when he left.
"It was long enough so that the name, Belland, was well established and remained on the lake till 'modern' times when some one thought Juanita would be a more pleasant sounding title. Following Belland a man called "Slothful Joe" Hayes occupied the dugout till about 1876 when W.H. Larrabee bought out Hayes and started a station about a mile and a half south on the east side of the James River. He set up the halfway station between Fort Seward and Fort Totten for several years and many prominent people took shelter under its roof. The building was burned about 1886 and never rebuilt."
There was also a story that one time there was a tavern on the site where the old pavilion was later built. It was used by travelers on the "Trail" to rest overnight.
In 1882 E. Delafield Smith and his brother, Herbert, settled on the east side of the lake. They remained several years. As a consequence the Lake became known locally and on some maps as "Smith Lake".
(Mr. Horton writes in his report:)
About the year 1900 the name of the lake was changed (not officially) to Lake Juanita by A.L. Lowdon, McHenry editor, who had a cottage and land at the north end of the lake. Juanita is a Spanish word which means 'Little Juan'."
Some of the older people think that Mr. Lowdon thought he was using an Indian term.
Regardless of how the name was attached to this body of water, that is the name that has remained to the present time.
Some ambitious people living in the town of Grace City in 1914, with the help of advertising and promotion of the Grace City Journal, the newspaper in publication at Grace City, made plans for the building up of the area around the lake into a resort.
A boathouse 24 x 35 was erected that had room for automobiles as well as boats. Two 28-foot gasoline launches were available to take out fishing parties. The fishing was described as "the best ever".
Grace City Journal, July 2, 1914:
"The lake has a shore line of about seven miles, with a fine sandy beach where bathing parties enjoy the pastime daily. The boat 'Empress of Ireland', owned by Dr. Owenson and Mr. Potter, 'The Mary B.' by E.R. Bradley and the outlay for docks, now that they realize fully that Lake Juanita is to be in the near future a play ground for the entire surrounding country and towns. Senator George dug a well, donating the work, E.R. Bradley, the tile curbing, and Charles Banks, pump pipe and sand point. Dr. Owenson and others have donated closets, etc. which are installed and campers will find at least ordinary things to make life livable."
(An article in the Foster County Independent dated July 9, 1914:)
John Diehl, J. Percy Legg, Percy Beckley, and Matt Wentland drove the twenty miles to the lake from Bordulac. They spent the day fishing, catching some perch and pike that had been put into the lake. While they were there they bought a life membership into the club being organized to develop the area. This membership entitled one person to all the privileges at the lake, such as launches, boats, etc.
In 1916 C.A. Sherer built a cafe which was open during the summer. He added improvements to the building as time went on so that eventually it could be called a summer hotel. The rooms upstairs were used to accommodate people who wanted to stay overnight and did not have a cottage or tent. Paul Black, a former resident of Grace City tells that the people would leave their children at the hotel while their parents would go to the dances. The children had a comfortable place to sleep until the parents were ready to return home after the dance.
On September 6, 1917 a fire broke out on a Monday afternoon from an unknown origin. Mrs. Sherer and the baby were alone in the building at the time. She heard a noise down stairs. When she investigated the sound, she noticed the fire in the front part of the hotel. She was able to save the baby and a few belongings, the rest being a total loss.
The hotel was never rebuilt.
A large pavilion was built where dances were held weekly. The March 30, 1916 Grace City Gazette describes what it is like to go dancing at the lake on Thursday evenings with music provided by orchestras from all over the state:
"The dances given at the pavilion seem so much better than dancing in a small hall. Last year people from towns over a hundred miles away came to the dances, and this year it will be much bigger crowds as the dances will be better advertized far and near."
"Not less than twenty cars from New Rockford will carry people here and all the neighboring towns will be represented."
This pavilion was also the victim of a fire which destroyed it. Another building took its place. When the dances were discontinued this structure was sold. Later on a large quonset was set up which still stands.
The Lake Park Amusement Club, which was the name chosen for the club, was very active. Any money that was made was put back in the form of improvements, either buildings or planting trees. They set up springboards for the divers and provided boats for fishing. They set gigantic plans for the Fourth of July celebrations. The festivities would begin early in the morning and last until late at night. These celebrations brought people by the thousands to the lake. Some of the activities were ball games, boat races, dances, concession stands, foot races, fat and lean man races, potato races and etc.
A big cannon that was obtained from the government through the efforts of E.R. Bradley was cleaned up for the Fourth of July celebration. A few days before the Fourth it was hauled out to the lake and placed in a special area. Early in the morning it was to be fired to announce to the people "that the hour is at hand and to prepare to come to the lake."
(Gazette 1916)
Plans were also made to fire it at other times during the day to help add to the noise of the day. Paul Black said that he remembered the cannon being fired. They put the balls in and packed it with wads of paper, and lit the fuse. "The noise was so loud that my ears rang for a long time afterward." The plans for firing it again were foiled by the authorities who worried about the possible danger that may occur because of the age of the cannon.
The cannon was displayed at Grace City for many years with a stack of balls in the shape of a pyramid piled next to it. It was great fun for the kids to play around the cannon. In the process the balls would be scattered. Bessie Flatters Sandvol was hired by Mr. Bradley for 51 to keep the balls stacked in neat piles.
In later years the cannon was moved to Bradley, South Dakota, the town named after E.R. Bradley, where it is on display.
The Grace City Gazette spent much time and space advertising the advantages of coming to Lake Juanita. This excerpt is taken from the May 25, 1916 issue.
"Beautiful Lake Juanita is without a doubt, the finest body of pure water to found along any line of railway, where the tourist and camper may find rest and quiet. The beautiful lakeshore provides ample beauty spots for camping, while the splendid railway facilities of the Great Northern bring this beauty spot within a few hours ride of the cities of the east as well as Minot, Williston, and other cities to the west. Our lake affords every opportunity to tourists and pleasure seekers to enjoy an outing in this paradise of nature. Here the hunter, fisherman, or camper can find a full supply of everything that is required from a canoe to a fishing pole.
"Many boats ply the water of Lake Juanita where, during the summer months, one can go around the beautiful shores and enjoy the scenery which is spread out like an immense panorama.
"It has been truthfully said by hundred of visitors that 'there is no place like it in North Dakota'.
"Owing to the lake's irregular shape countless bays and inlets into which small streams flow make it splendid game resort where the feathered tribe are in countless numbers.
"Those who enjoy fishing will find the water of Lake Juanita and the streams full of several kind of fish which would have delighted the heart of Isaac Walton, could he have visited this section of the country. Here the gamey black bass, pickerel, pike and others are to be found in abundance.
"A half hour's ride will transport one from Grace City to the very heart of nature as it has existed for many years. Here almost any spot can be found on which to pitch a tent and where one can find rest.
"There is no hay fever here. Nothing but the pure air and water- water that you can fairly revel in, it is so soft and yet so deliciously refreshing. It is therefore not improbable that another year will see a large clubhouse built on the lake for tourists and sportsmen. No finer place in North Dakota can be found for a sanitarium than at Lake Juanita, and we believe that the near future will see a large institution of this kind established.
"The attractiveness of this region is not alone in its superb surroundings, novel and unhackneyed as many of them are, for in Lake Juanita, can be found more fairyland loveliness, more isolation from the jostle of life, and more roaming over nature in her primitive beauty, untouched by hand of man, with less trouble and inconvenience than can be experienced elsewhere. The climate is perfect- clear, pleasant days and cool nights, with pure invigorating air which brings rest to the weary, recuperation to the invalid and adds zest to the life of those who are in quest of recreation and amusement. As before stated in season there are unlimited opportunities for capital sport with the gun both for large and small-feathered game, its waters teem with fish, and at no other resort can be found better facilities for bathing and boating in absolute safety.
"There is something peculiarly balmy, soothing and yet invigorating in the summer breeze which sweeps over this region, cooling the fevered brain and smothering the wrinkled brow of care. To escape from the sweltering summer heat of the prairies and breathe the pure air of Lake Juanita, is like passing into the new and better state of existence and there is, indeed, no tourist spot where the traveler seeking a vacation can enjoy a better or more pleasing holiday rest."
How could anyone resist going to such a fine place as this for rest and relaxation?
As the years went by it did become a very popular spot for all kinds of things besides the Fourth of July celebrations. It was the scene of the Farmers Institutes, Foster County Play Days, the North Dakota Livestock Breeders Association, Church services, and Political meetings and rallies.
Dances were scheduled regularly for many years. Cottages began to be built with people coming as far away as Minot. The lake was stocked several times with fish such as lake trout, walleye pike and rainbow trout.
The Grace City Gazette in April 1917 told the story of Mr. Urhammer of Ary, North Dakota, who had a cottage at the lake. It is the story about an unusual catch that he found at the end of his line:
"One of the strangest freaks that has been in our city was a fish, or what you might call it, which was caught at the lake. The fish looked a great deal like a bullhead and had legs and feet like a lizard. Instead of having gills or a nose it had arms like an octopus. The thing did not live very long and died Sunday. The joke about it was E.E. Petrick, who landed him, thought it was a bullhead, and was holding him in his hand, when to his surprise the fish started walking up his hand and arm. Some who have seen this species before call it a 'water-dog'.
In June 1969 Duane Hoffman had another unusual experience while fishing at the lake: (Foster County Independent, June 2, 1969)
"While fishing in Lake Juanita a week ago last Sunday Duane dropped his line into the water, a triple hook attached, each hook baited with a minnow. Feeling a tug on the line, Duane pulled it up. Caught in the hooks was the mouth of a female mink.
"The animal put up no battle whatever, Hoffman said. He said the animal seemed docile, probably suffering from a lack of sufficient oxygen.
"Fishing was good that day, Hoffman said. In his party the catch amounted to 15 northerns and one perch besides the mink."
Throughout the years the lake has been stocked with perch, blue-gills, northern pike, and black bass, thus providing hours of entertainment for many people in the summer as well as ice fishing in the winter.
Mr. Strand, editor of the Foster County Independent wrote this story on February 3, 1972:
Headline: McHenry Men Find Good Fishin' in Lake Juanita
"Lake Juanita is a bleak sight on a January afternoon. The wind sweeps through the treeless bowl that cradles the lake unimpeded. Standing on the frozen surface, the edges of the horizon dwindle in the expanse of ice and snow covered hills.
"Ice-fishing houses are scattered over the lake. The largest concentration is at the north end, where about 20 little cubicles form a kind of rag-tag shantytown.
"With temperatures hovering in the five-to-below range, only the hardiest anglers were on the ice Friday. Smoke rising from the stacks and parked pickups evidenced their presence. A meandering trail that crosses a pasture gives access to the ice.
"Two McHenry farmers, Duane Hoffman and Russell Topp, had settled in beside their oil burners for an afternoon of fishing. They are fisherman with differing techniques.
"Tope is a bobber-watcher. Sitting with his back to the stove, he keeps an eye on the two holes he is fishing. If a bobber disappears a short pounce brings Topp to the scene of the action.
"Hoffman, on the other hand reclines into his lawn chair with the Fargo Forum and a Successful Farming magazine. His ice-house is as large as the law will allow, and he was fishing seven holes. He listens for the rasp of fishing line across the floor. He heard it twice Friday and pulled out a small Northern and a four-pounder.
"With visions of giant fish with hooks in their mouths dancing in his head, the Independent photographer shuttled back and forth between Hoffman's and Topp's houses always just in time to miss everything. Topp hooked two fat perch while Hoffman and his company discussed t he price of wheat.
"Settled in at Russell Topp's house, the camera shy fish below the ice teased but refused to take the bait. The bobber danced and jigged and spurted across the diameter of the hole, but did not go under.
"Topp was not dismayed. 'One thing a fisherman needs is patience, ' he counseled. But he was talking to a novice photographer whose passion is the clicking of the shutter.
"Suddenly the other bobber- the one that had been listing against the side of the hole with a thin crust of ice forming around it- was no longer there. Topp pounced.
"The photographer reeled back against the far wall, thinking about aperture, shutter speed, f stop, focus, light, depth of field and wondering if he had cocked the shutter. Some of these terms mean the same thing, but the cameraman was a little flustered. No click of the shutter but then no fish as Topp hauled in nothing more than two well-nibbled minnows.
"Back at Duane Hoffman's holes, there had been no additions to the two Northerns. It was learned that Hoffman is also a trapper. He had caught 119 foxes before the season closed, including one yearling that had migrated from Lehr North Dakota. At $12.50 a pelt, 119 foxes represent a sizeable side in come. He had also found a coyote in his traps, which he is having stuffed.
"Re-crossing the ice, Topp was outside his fish-house picking something off a snow bank that looked from a distance like a huge liver sausage. It was a Northern Pike already frozen and covered with snow - a four and a half pounder.
"Caught him less than a minute after you went out the door", chortled Topp.
"Another vigil with the camera focused on the hole yielded nothing. Both Topp and Hoffman had cattle at home that needed tending and they both had at least one meal in the creel.
"Both noted they would probably be back to Lake Juanita the next Sat. and most likely a few days after that."
Excitement about the lake calmed down and interest in the lots waned. More than likely the reason was the dry years and the depression. On May 7, 1945 Harold Potter decided to buy the lots for back taxes, which amounted to $81.73. He planted some trees and made some other improvements in the area. Gradually the interest in the lake was rekindled and people once again were willing to buy the lots. Cabins began to appear, all sizes and shapes. Some were built from scratch, some of the cabins came from the Rainbow Gardens tourist camp, some were old granaries that were renovated and made to serve the purpose of a cabin. The road that once lined the shoreline was removed and replaced with a new one further up the hill. The Soil Conservation service assisted by planting a shelterbelt on top of the hill.
The Foster County Park Board began discussion in 1963 as to the possibility of making a County park at Lake Juanita. They decided to follow through with the idea.
In October 1974 the County Board purchased approximately eight to ten acres of land from Bill Meyers for public use. This included over 400 feet of water front area. They also purchased the house that was there and the large quonset.
Plans were set forth in March 1976 for the construction of a bathhouse and the board agreed to order new picnic tables. Funds for the shelter, dock, cooking grills and playground equipment were obtained from a grant from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The bathhouse was a combination dressing room and toilet facility. B&N Construction Company was contracted to construct the building.
Juanita Lake is still a popular place in the 1980s. People may be found there at various times to spend a few days, afternoon, evening or whatever. The cabins are used at various times through out the year. Boats of all sizes and shapes can be seen on the lake, many times pulling someone behind it on water skis, or else just cruising around for pleasure. It is an ideal spot- not so far away from home where peace, tranquility, and the joys of nature may still be found. It is description as "Beautiful Lake Juanita, a hang-out place for the tired and weary", is an apt description of this lake after all these years.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 10