About Forest Lake

In the early 1900s, there must have been many nights when it was a lonely job for the marshal as he patrolled along the wooden sidewalks of the main street.

As nightfall descended, the marshal performed one of his jobs, lighting the ornamental kerosene lamps, a task he did not have to do on moonlit nights.

No doubt it was much livelier on summer Saturday nights when the workers from the wire grass camps came to town. The saloons did a good business as they were among the social centers.

This also was the season when summer visitors stayed at the local hotels, like the Euclid, Fabels and Forest Home, to mention a few. I’m sure the marshal looked in at the dances at the Modern Woodman Hall above Youngs Hardware store. This was a time when Lake Street with the business district on both sides of the street.