10/21/2021
Throwback Thursday!
Following the early ideas that Elmo McCracken had envisioned for Lake Elmo, the lake has remained open to the public as a recreational hotspot for generations. But how did this once privately owned lake become a State park? 🤔
After the popular Elmo Club burned down, the Lake itself remained, and continued to serve the Billings community with its water-based recreational opportunities. In the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, Lake Elmo was known as the party spot! The Billings Water-Ski Club would host ski meets and competitions, slalom and ski jumping.
In the 1970’s, the state of Montana became interested in purchasing the lake. On July 15th of 1983, the state of Montana bought the lake, along with an additional 42 acres of land surrounding the lake for 1.6 million dollars! On this date, Lake Elmo officially became a state park! Park attendance was just over 21,000 visitors that year!
Once the lake was brought under the authority of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, improvements to the lake and surrounding area were soon underway. The first improvements to be implemented were to clean up the beach and water of pollutants and to plant additional shade trees for park guests.
In 1991, a master site plan was developed. It was during this time that the existing layout of the state park was developed.
Lake Elmo remains a state park to this day, and this year, many new and exciting improvements to the lake and the trails are going to be made! It is exciting to know more about the Lake’s history, so that one can appreciate the changes that are underway!
