Courtesy of Mary Clark
In 1922, William and Emma Pierce
(grandparents of Mary Clark and Bill Pierce) came from East Aurora, N. Y. to
fish at Desert Lake. They stayed at the fishing camp owned by Edmund and Edna
Page. It was located at the south end of the lake (across the road from present
day Lazy Acre).
The second floor of the fishing camp was sectioned into bedrooms by
hanging sheets between the beds. In the morning Edna cooked a massive breakfast
for all the guests. Each fishing group was supplied with a guide who rowed the
boat, and with enough pans, bread and vegetables for a shore dinner at noon,
augmented by the catch of the day. At suppertime, they all returned to the
Pages for a large dinner prepared by Edna.
During that time the Pierces’ favourite shore dinner site was the point
on which they built their cabin in 1925. It was the first cottage on Desert
Lake built for the purpose of fishing.
Looking from the Page’s Fishing Camp (at the south end of the lake) toward
present day Desert Lake Family Resort.
The bridge at the south end of Desert Lake
Because the water level in Desert Lake is controlled, these rocks off
the point of the Pierce cottage are now under water.
In 1948, Edison brought a team of carpenters, plumbers and electricians
from East Aurora. From July 15-20 they built an addition to the cottage,
installed a septic system, and electricity. The crew worked all morning, fished
in the afternoon and had all the beer they could drink.
The septic crew
The first septic tank
In 1948, four bedrooms and a bathroom were added to the cottage.
Mary and Bill have been coming to Desert Lake for as long as they can
remember. Here they are with their mother, Dorothy.
