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.
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