Lake Templeton, named in honor of Joe Templeton, an early day squatter, is located eight and one-half miles east of Carrington on State highway no. 200. It is a swell in Kelly Creek, fed by local springs and a ten-mile water-shed to the north. During high water periods it covers an area of about 2040 rods and was never known to be dry until the fall of 1935.
It has a direct connection with the Jim River. In a draw to the southeast there is an outlet to the lake that merges into Kelly Creek and a little later joins up with the Jim. There is a full waterway from the lake to the river in high water time. This fact made it possible for fish to be in the lake. In 1927 when the ice on the lake broke up in the spring thousands of dead fish were washed ashore, running from minnows to pickerel that were over two feet long. In the fall of 1926 the water in the lake was exceptionally low, being not over two feet in the deepest part. As a consequence the fish were killed when the water froze to the bottom of the lake. Few people even realized that any fish were living in the lake.
Various signs found by the early settlers led them to believe that the lake was used by the Indians as a central camping point when on their annual buffalo hunting trips in search of meat and robes. Buffalo bones were found in abundance as well as broken pieces of dishes and other equipment. It was thought that perhaps Sibley and some of his party might have stopped here in 1863 on his trip across Foster County.
The lake served many purposes, besides being a natural water hole for the settlers' cattle. In the summer time it was a gathering place for the bachelor homesteaders and squatters on Sundays. This lake provided them the means to do their weekly washing of clothes and afforded them an opportunity to take a bath.
It was used by the Dunkard church for their Baptismal services. The local people tell about the lines of buggies and wagons on both sides of the road with people waiting their turn to be baptized or just sitting there watching the proceedings.
During the wintertime the lake provided the ice that was stored for future use in the ice-boxes in the summer season. The water was raked clear of fungus and other debris in the fall to assure clean ice. Storage was made at a large icehouse located near the lake. Between 1000 and 1600 tons of ice would be harvested. In 1932 Fred Schroeder, who was owner of the Carrington Ice and Coal Company had a crew employed to cut the ice.
Here is a story from the Independent, January 8, 1925 which tells about harvesting ice.
"Harvesting of Ice for City is Done for Year:
"None fell into water this season for first time in a dozen winters;
Weather always improves after the ice harvesting for the year is completed;
"The statement is the sworn belief of Chris Hansen, ice harvester for the Carrington community for the past decade. Every time he starts to harvest, Chris maintains, the weather turns cold, and as soon as the ice is ploughed, hauled to the icehouse and packed, the weather turns warm and pleasant.
"During the worst weather of the 1924-25 season, just before the Christmas holidays, Chris Hansen, who with Harry Rusk handles all of the Carrington ice business, set out with a crew of 20 men to store away the ice supply of the city for the summer months.
"In less than two weeks, in spite of the cold weather just at the hardest part of the season, the crew had stored away more than 1,000 tons of ice.
"Although most ice houses use sawdust with which to pack their ice, Hansen uses flax straw because it is cheaper, holds the ice in better condition and may be obtained nearby. During the summer months the sale of ice in Carrington averages well over two and one-half tons a day.
"Well, anyhow," said Chris, "in spite of the cold nobody fell in this year."
"Two men fell in' last year and this is the first season in years that someone has not gone into the water.
"All of the ice is taken out of Lake Templeton, which is spring fed and is supposed to be just as good as Carrington's water.
In 1931-32 the ice was between 18 and 22 inches thick. It retailed at Carrington at 501-651 per 100 pounds.
Carrington was forced to use ice from the James River in 1935 because the lake which was usually six or seven feet deep dried up into six inches.
The lake is still there today- although many people probably think it is just a cattle pond or a slough hole, little realizing the important role this little body of water played in the lives of the people down through the ages.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 8