Crystal Lake (Racine, Wisconsin)
Coordinates: 42°44′55″N 87°47′10″W / 42.74859°N 87.78602°W Crystal Lake, also known as Baumann's Pond, was an artificial body of water in Racine, Wisconsin that existed between the late 19th century and the mid-1920s. Located between North Main Street, Goold Street, Erie Street, and what is now Walton Avenue, the pond was created when a clay pit operated by the Baumann brickmaking company was abandoned and filled with rainwater. The resulting body of water had a surface area of roughly 10 acres (4.0 ha) and was approximately 15 feet (4.6 m) deep.[1] Crystal Lake became a popular location for ice skating during the winter, and its ice was harvested and sold .
Horlick Bros. harvested ice from the pond as early as 1886.[2] The Racine city council first ordered the pond drained in 1913, over concerns that it could cause flooding on nearby properties and in the sewer system.[3] The local health board investigated the pond later that year and found no evidence of pollution.[4]
Originally located on Racine's northern outskirts, development eventually surrounded the area. The city of Racine considered making the land a park, but the Fox Ice Company chose to allow the pond to be used as a garbage dump in the 1920s, gradually filling the basin over the course of several years so the land could be developed.[1] In addition to a number of houses, the former site of Crystal Lake is now home to 2113 North Wisconsin Street, 2100 North Main Street, and a parking area for the Racine Zoo.[5]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Filling Old Pit to Create Lots: Crystal Lake Will Be Platted When Filled And Sold As Building Property; Has Long History", Racine Journal-News, April 30, 1924, page 6.
- ↑ "Horlick Bros. commenced gathering their crop of ice to-day at Crystal Lake...", Racine Daily Journal, January 13, 1886, page 3.
- ↑ "Baumann Pond Is Ordered Drained By City Council", Racine Journal-News, March 15, 1913, page 16.
- ↑ "Water in Pond is Not Polluted: Board of Health Investigates Conditions at Baumann Pond Following Many Complaints", Racine Journal-News, August 23, 1913, front page and page seven.
- ↑ "Excavators Dig Up Reminders of City History", Racine Journal Times, May 3, 1959, section 3, page 6.