History
March 2015
Highlights from the early planning, construction, and development of Little Swan Lake.
Full History PDF
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Little Swan Lake Timeline
Ralph Wilkins suffered a broken leg. While recuperating, he envisioned a lake development around his farm.
A Farm and Home Administration loan was applied for and approved under President Kennedy's recreation program for rural communities.
Herbert Wilkins was elected President of the Little Swan Lake Association. Originally, lots were to be leased for 99 years, but loan requirements required ownership, so the original lot application was revised.
Jud Henninger was hired as manager until spring of 1969 to develop planning and programming.
July 1966: construction was started on the dam by Carr and Hummell of Bushnell, Illinois.
The dam is 46 feet high, 1,100 feet long, and 500 feet wide at the base. The water's depth is 36 feet.
The dam was completed and roads were being constructed. Section I was platted, including lots 1 through 116.
April 1, 1967: the first lot was sold. Plans called for 555 lots divided into five sections across 650 acres of land.
1968: Section II was platted, including lots 227 through 282.
Section III, including lots 284 through 347 and Outlot Z, was platted.
Driftwood Supper Club was constructed by Harlan Hummel of Bushnell, Illinois.
During 1970 and 1971, Section IV lots 348 through 527 and Section V lots 528 through 582 were platted.
Swan Hills Golf Course started.
The concrete highway into Avon was completed.
Ellsworth Stohler was hired to promote sales. The Holiday Queen, a large cruise boat, toured potential buyers around the lake. He was assisted by Jerry Troutman and Ron Pelkington in sales.