Lake Quivira: “Nature at Her Best”
Lake Quivira began as the dream of Charles E. Gault, a Topekan who wanted to create “A lake of the finest water in this part of Kansas.” In his enthusiasm, Gault enticed others to join him in this project including W.I. Drummond, who in 1927 organized the Quivira Development Company, and Samuel Insull, a Chicago financier who held and sold stock in the company.
Promotional material distributed by the Quivira Development Company described the Quivira Lakes site in glowing terms. It noted that it “possesses every natural advantage. In location, magnitude, accessibility and adaptation to modern improvement without loss of primeval beauty, it is incomparable. The view is magnificent. The charm of water, woods, grass and hills here are blended into a perfect whole.” Their vision for the project included a large lake with a series of smaller lakes for boating, swimming and fishing; home sites suitable for summer or country homes; a club house; a “magnificent” beach; and “a golf course, athletic field, tennis courts, private beaches, parks, playground, drives, walks, etc.”
The developers promoted easy accessibility to Kansas City and promised, “The Santa Fe Railroad and bus lines will supply quick, convenient and economical transportation to the downtown business sections of Greater Kansas City. A trolley line extension is within the possibilities.” In July 1929, the Kansas City Star noted that the Quivira Development Company and Felter Marine Company “reached an agreement... by which river passenger boats of the marine company will ply regular traffic on the Kaw River as far as Quivira Lakes...”
As part of this vision, the Quivira Development Company hired Victor J. DeFoe, a Kansas City architect who designed the Quivira Clubhouse, to render a drawing of the proposed Quivira Hotel. The drawing reveals an elegant Spanish-style building of native stone and stucco featuring a winding exterior staircase and a red tile roof. A fountain and lily pond would grace the front lawn of this stately structure.
In fall of 1927, work began on the Quivira Lakes project with the construction of the dam. The dam was completed in June 1929, but soon after in October, the stock market crashed putting the Quivira Development Company in a precarious financial position that would eventually lead to its demise in 1932. Although there was not enough money to build several small lakes, or the hotel and ampitheatre that were planned, there were enough funds to complete the lake, major roads, the botanical gardens, the beach, the clubhouse and the golf course by 1931. The Quivira developers decided to make the facility semi-private by selling memberships, in addition to charging admission to the public, in hopes of eventually relieving themselves of their financial burden. Club memberships entitled people to the additional privileges of having their own private dock site, clubhouse dining privileges, fishing privileges, and a home site on which to build. The developers hoped that eventually all the residential lots would be sold so they could just operate the public facilities. The public was happy with this compromise because it seemed to offer something for everyone. Quivira became a buzzword around Kansas City as city dwellers asked, “Did you hear about the new lake in Kansas?” This new lake offered a place for both Kansas Citians and suburbanites to relax and cool off.
Among the attractions at the lake were the elegant Botanical Gardens. These gardens were created around the natural springs that flowed beneath the ground. Not only did they provide the area with visual beauty, but also with drinking water. Five pools were created from these springs using native stone terracing. Tree-lined walkways connected the pools and plantings in this English park setting. Spring water was collected in a vault below the ground and pumped to constantly produce a fresh stream of cool, clear water for visitors. The beauty of the gardens made this a popular spot for picnicking. Children also loved to watch the swimming fish that were bred in one of the pools.
Another highlight of Lake Quivira was Crescent Beach which was equipped with diving platforms, a boardwalk, and a boat marina. Giant lights lit the beach so that night swimming and boating were available. The beach provided a busy social atmosphere that brought many young people from the city to the lake. In 1939, admission to this public beach was only 30 cents. Although Quivira members were admitted free, residents with homes at the lake often swam off their private docks.
Besides swimming and boating, people fished at the lake. Quivira offered some of the best fishing for miles around. Mattie Ludemann, a resident of Lake Quivira in the 1930s, wrote in her diary about her first fish breakfast, made with fish she had caught herself and cooked on her outdoor fireplace. Later, she observed a neighbor with better luck than she, pulling one fish after another out of the water with a rod and reel, not just a pole like she was using. The next day, she made the thirty-minute drive to Kansas City to buy herself a rod and reel. Her subsequent diary entries tell fish story after fish story of the large bass and crappie she and her friends pulled from the lake.
The Clubhouse at the lake provided club members and their guests dining and party facilities. The lower level was open to the public and provided lockers and a grill/lounge area. The main floor housed the dining room and the lounge. The dining room served both casual fare and elegant meals. Often members would have dinner parties, luncheons, and card parties here. The lounge was equipped with sofas and easy chairs for enjoying beverages and conversation. A large aquarium of fish ranging from bass to rainbow trout, from crappie to bluegill was located in the entrance hall. On the third floor of the clubhouse was a ballroom. Formal dances with live music were held for members and their guests. Other organizations rented this room for other activities, including high school proms. This top level had an outside balcony that provided a breathtaking view of the lake and beach. This balcony was decorated with large urns overflowing with flowers, and iron grillwork between stone and brick served as a railing. During the day, it was the best seat in the house to watch motorboat and sailboat races on the lake.
Golf was also a popular attraction at the lake. The golf course provided not only a fine game of golf, but glimpses of the Kaw River and the lake through native woodlands, as well as trails and bridle paths. A Spanish style golf clubhouse provided caddying facilities, a pro shop, a lounge area and a grill. The facility became dated after the 1930s because its design did not anticipate the need for automobile parking or golf cart facilities and fell into disrepair. In its heyday in the 1930s, it was considered one of the best in the area and was used by members and the public.
By the late 1930s, residents of Lake Quivira felt the Quivira Land Company, which now owned the development, was not properly maintaining the facilities. Residents tried to pressure the Land Company into making Quivira a private country club, believing that privatizing would draw more elite residents to still available lots. Their hope did not become a reality until Quivira had enough home owners to form a homes association, organized in 1941 as Quivira, Inc. By 1944, Quivira, Inc. was strong enough to buy out the Quivira Land Company. They made residential areas private, but still needed the revenue produced by public recreational areas. it was not until 1966 that Quivira became the completely private facility it is now.
Gault’s Quivira vision was never completely realized. Today, Lake Quivira is a private country club and residential suburb, rather than the public recreational facility with summer and country homes that it was planned to be. The golf club house has been destroyed by fire, and the Botanical Gardens are overgrown, their stone terraces and walkways in ruins. Changing technology and economics have altered Lake Quivira's landscape. But Gault’s dream remains in the lake, clubhouse, beach, and golf course which are maintained by the sale of lots surrounding the country club.
--ALBUM vol. 6, no. 4 (fall 1993)