Colonial Lake (Charleston, South Carolina)

This 1909 postcard image shows the houses along Rutledge Ave., viewed across Colonial Lake from Beaufain St.

The lake and its park were part of the Commons established by an Act of the Commons House of Assembly in 1768, setting aside the area forever for public use. The actual lake was created in 1869 when Lynch St. (now Ashley Ave.) was extended south to Broad St., enclosing the area now occupied by the lake. The tradition that the lake was developed as a small boat harbor for planters apparently has no foundation in fact. Most likely, it served as mill pond for a succession of sawmills which operated in the vicinity.

Before the Parks Conservancy plans were implemented, the area surrounding the lake (shown here in 2014) was largely just grass.

As seen in the 1872 Bird's Eye View of Charleston, the northwest corner of Colonial Lake originally was land that was possible to develop with a few houses. In 1874, the houses were removed so that improvements to Colonial Lake could continue.[1]

In 1875, a local mill owner, Patrick P. Toale, received a lease for some of the land surrounding the lake. When he tried to purchase the property, local citizens strongly opposed the request and filed a lawsuit to prevent the deal. Judge J.B. Kershaw sided with the opponents, ordering that all remaining property held by the city be retained for the benefit of all Charlestonians and that a commission be created to oversee the property.[2]

The park around the lake was developed in the 1880s. The current configuration of a lake within concrete embankments with a wide promenade on all four sides was largely completed by 1885.[3]

"Gala Week" used to be held in the fall of the year, with a fireworks display on the west side of the Pond,[4] which was then an undeveloped area. Spectators filled to park and crowded onto boats in the lake.[5] Boats were a popular feature of Colonial Lake, and the city even began requiring licenses for them to maintain order on the pond in 1910.[6] Starting that same year, a series of boat and "tub" races were staged in the lake for local boys with money awarded to the winners.[7] For a time, the lake was closed off from the Ashley River with a wire screen and stocked with fish for recreational fishing.[8]

By 1872, when the Bird's Eye View Map of Charleston was drawn, Ashley Ave. (then known as Lynch St.) had been completed, forming the western edge of Colonial Lake.

Improvements to the park have been consistent. In 1902, the promenade was improved with a stone pavement. Other improvements were considered, but the lack of security at the site caused officials to question the idea.[9] A dedicated police officer was assigned in 1904.[10] In 1910, palmetto trees were planted along Ashley Ave. and more extensive landscaping was carried out, but officials again noted that vandalism by children playing in the area was causing problems.[11] In 1911, the commissioners who oversaw Colonial Lake announced that new benches would be installed and forty water oaks would be planted.[12] In 1938, the leader of a local club proposed installing a man-made island in the center of the lake, stocking the lake with salt water fish, and promoting it as a destination for visitors; the plan was opposed by residents and did not take place.[13] In 1972, fountains were installed to aerate the lake, but neighbors complained about saltwater overspray, and the fountains often idled due to low water and rusted parts; in 1977, they were removed.[14]

The Charleston Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit founded in 2007, announced plans to renovate Colonial Lake in 2008. Its plans would have narrowed adjacent Rutledge Ave. by nine feet (to the same width as nearby streets) and installed a more formal landscape around the lake.[15] Plans were completed with some modifications, and an expected January 2015 start date for the four million dollar project was set. Work is expected to be completed in early 2016.[16]

32.7763°N 79.9423°W / 32.7763; -79.9423