1948

• Berkeley Lake was created by Frank Coggins with development of Berkeley Realty and Investment Company (BR&IC).
• Acreage was noted as purchased along the river for $6 an acre.
• Community consisted of 700 acres.
• Lake belonged to BR&IC.

1950

• Berkeley Lake was constructed. Depth at the dam varied from 90 to 125 feet.

1953

• All 25 Berkeley Lake property owners met and formed the Lake Berkeley Civic Association (LBCA).
• Purpose to promote and forward the interest of Berkeley Lake and its property owners:
• Telephones, electricity and a year road around the lake were priorities.
• Improve lake ecosystem by reducing weeds and managing fish population.
• LBCA dues were $6 per year.
• Membership was voluntary.
• Activities included: BBQ, regattas, fishing contests and holiday parties.

1954

• A resident wanted to sell her furnished home and lot for $9,500.
• First of many fish frys.

1955

• Property owners had grown to 94
• Objectives for the year were:
• County access road improvement.
• Lakeshore road improvement and maintenance.
• Increase our membership.
• Obtain city charter.
• Improvement of fishing conditions.

1956

• City of Berkeley Lake was created to attend to specific needs which an incorporated city could secure.
• 100 permanent residents plus 50 summer residents.
• City of Berkeley Lake was without funds and borrowed $100 from the Civic Association (BLCA).

1958

• City works to name streets and assigns street numbers.
• 60 homes built.

1959

• Lake Berkeley Chapel was founded (detailed history here).
• Lake fertilized (11) times to control weeds and to improve fishing.
• Started exploring possibilities of establishing an inter-denominational chapel.
• Planning to start up a Lake Berkeley newsletter to assist in welcoming new homeowners.

1960

• Held annual Regatta to raise money for weed control.
• Mayor noted (6) additional street lights were installed bringing total to (28).
• Plans to pave streets... soon!

1961

• City water was installed by Gwinnett County.

1963

• June barbecue for all property owners at $1.50 per plate.

1966

• Require a better means to identifying authorized boats on the lake.
• Furnished approximately 250 boat identification numbers.
• Removed the old pump house in the parking area and installed a flag pole.
• Constructed a shelter in the picnic area (serving and table storage area).

1967

• Raising of funds to support weed control.

1968

• Lake Berkeley Chapel was built.

1970

• Residents had expanded to 219.
• Lake Berkeley Civic Association (LBCA) dues $12 per year.
• Berkeley Lake Arts and Craft Group were meeting twice a month.
• March - Lt. Governor G.T. Smith spoke at the Civic Association get-together.
• Lake Berkeley Chapel holds first wedding (6/27/70).
• August - Georgia Secretary of State Ben W. Fortson spoke to Civic Association.

1971

• Numerous get-togethers for members and families.

1972

• Proposed tearing down the old boat houses directly behind the Chapel.

1973

• Berkeley Lake Homeowners Association (BLHA) was incorporated on March 28, 1973.
• 1st President Pete Rolader 1973-74 (97 Members).
• BLHA dues $25.

1974

• Berkeley Lake Dam deeded to the City of Berkeley Lake.

1978

• BLHA membership 101 out of 223 eligible families (185 living on the lake).

1979

• Citizen complained that a structure is being built on FPR property across the street from City Hall.
• BLHA passes resolution to assess each member $50 to "finalize acquisition of Berkeley Lake."

1980

• Dam was covered in trees. The lake was lowered to remove these trees and rebuild the upper portion of the dam in compliance with Safe Dam standards.
• BLHA Membership 105 out of 205 eligible families (down 23 from 1979).
• Extension of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and adjacent industrial park affected the lake by increasing deposits of silt.

1981

• 1st Oktoberfest held - a great success... imagine that!
• Regatta not held due to lack of interest.

1982

• Lake Berkeley newsletter resurrected.
• Dam bond referendum to repair dam $170,000.
• Beach area created.
• Dam Repairs completed.
• Pete Rolader chairs meeting to discuss removal of silt in the south end of the lake.
• Silt to be removed in the fall with individuals being responsible for their own silt removal.

1983

• Transfer / acquisition of lake bottom to BLHA.
• Berkeley Lake Elementary School opened its doors for 784 students in grades K-5.

1984

• Letter from BLHA to residents and property owners, "Too many people have discovered Berkeley Lake and want to fish, swim, picnic, walk... etc."

1985

• BLHA voted to allow two Berkeley Lake sub-divisions to become members - Berkeley Lake Ridge and Berkeley Station.
• Picnic area improvements with picnic tables built and lighting installed.

1986

• Fowler's Mill operational.

1987

• Berkeley Lake Reflections begins being published independently from BLHA.
• 57 pontoon boats on the lake.
• Swim area defined and built at the beach.
• City sponsored a "Dam Good Party" to celebrate retiring the bond from debt incurred in the dam reconstruction.

1988

• Berkeley Lake Reflections published six times a year (even months).
• Installed Port-a-John at the beach.
• BLHA installed new gates at the Chapel (hours open from 9:00am to 9:00pm).
• BLOSOMS formed by "ten wild women".
• BLHA membership 210.

1989

• Georgia Department of Natural Resources completed fish population study.

1990

• AJC reported the community had grown to 700 residents and was deemed "wealthiest Georgia city".
• BLOSOMS proposes planting trees at the beach. BLHA funds the installation of a water meter.

1991

• BLHA voted to allow River Mansions residents to join.
• Repair made to Fowler's Mill.

1992

• BLHA membership 199.
• Dredging started on the south end of lake.

1995

• Reflections newsletter reintroduced 6 issues/year funded by 20 local advertisers.

2000

• Repair of and addition to picnic area dock.

2001

• GA Power installed AC cabinet / meter with receptacles at beach.

2002

• Installed block seawall and a metal "job" storage box at the beach.
• New BLHA logo developed.
• Hired lake manager to oversee lake and fish management.

2003

• Membership at 242.
• Fences installed for beach and picnic areas.
• New grills installed at beach.
• Tent style pavilion installed at the beach.
• New hardwood trees (3) planted in picnic area.
• (30) shad, 6-8" long added to lake as a test to get a sustainable food source for bass.

2004

• Removed silt from specific coves and deposited on beach lot.
• Coker-Robinson cove (700 cubic yards at $28,000).
• Added grass carp to lake to control weeds.

2005

• Silt in the beach lawn area leveled and reseeded.

2006

• Dues increased from $175 to $200 with an additional $25 direct to the silt fund.
• Chapel / BLHA agreement finalized to allow BLHA to conduct monthly meeting in the Chapel.

2007

• New membership record of 260.
• Lake lowered 6' for in February for City culvert project - remaining 3' low throughout summer.
• Steel posts removed from lake bottom near picnic area.
• Several homeowners removed silt from the lake adjacent to their shoreline.
• Beach area expanded and sand redistributed.
• Several improvement projects completed inclusive of stonewalls (4), landscaping and tree removal, new picnic tables (4), BBQ grills (2) and benches... etc.
• Performed survey / assessment for new picnic & beach pavilions.
• Removed 60+ cubic yards of silt from the boat dock / gazebo areas. Spread and reseeded on the Chapel grounds.

2008

• Membership at 256.
• Lake finally returned to full pool (February 2008).
• Capital improvement projects completed:
• Beach stonewall and fire pit built along with installation of low voltage lighting.
• Picnic area - new stonewall built and patio installed with engraved flagstones.
• Removed GA Power lights and installed BLHA controlled lighting.
• Discussions underway to design a new picnic pavilion. Concept drawings viewed in May membership meeting.
• Successful introduction of an organic garden in upper corner of beach lot.
• 25,000-to-30,000 shad to be released into the lake in mid April. Bass over populated.