12 | Destination Elwood/Johnson Lake 2025
as $15,000. The number of cabins surpassed 600 by 1966 and another 36 lots in the North Cove, North Shore and Perch Bay areas were ready for development in 1969. Interest was unabated as more than 400 applications were entered into a lottery for the three dozen lots. By 1971 the number of cabins exceeded 700 and many cabin- owners had taken up year-round residence at the lake. Today homes and cabins entirely encircle the lake and number above 900. Development of the cabin areas was overseen by the Johnson Lake Development, Inc., which was formed in 1941. Central -- its agenda dominated by the task of operating its fledgling power and irrigation project, facing an exploding demand for irrigation water and electricity, and hampered by a shortage of manpower and recreational expertise -- leased Johnson, Plum Creek and Gallagher Canyon lakes for development of recreational assets. The aim of the group was to appoint directors from every city in the area that might be interested in the water recreation available at the lakes. Johnson Lake soon became the destination of many fishermen, campers, boaters, swimmers and picnickers seeking relief from their cares. In 1945, Central leased 50 acres of land to the Nebraska Game,
Forestations and Parks Commission for what would become the Johnson Lake State Recreation Area. The treeless landscape became the site of one of the state agency’s first endeavors into tree-planting and the construction of its first recreation access road. A second camping area was added on the west side of the lake in the 1950’s. Water sports, particularly water skiing, began to become popular in the late 1950s and continued through the next three decades. Lake residents reported that it seemed like everyone at the lake was learning to ski in the 1960’s. A project to create additional lakefront property began in 1970 with a dredging operation in the northwest corner of the lake. The result was the Lakeview Acres subdivision surrounding Mahaffie Bay. Developers led by Virgil Eihusen of Grand Island created 169 residential and six commercial lots in the area. Subsequently, George and Delores Harder of Grand Island opened the Lakeview Marina in 1971, offering groceries, bait and tackle, as well as a cafe, laundromat, boat slips and boat rental. During the same time period, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was also improving its facilities. The NGPC added three modern restrooms, six shelter houses and two change
MEDO’S RESORT on Johnson Lake
Office: 308-217-0695
Levander’s of Lexington 2809 Heartland Road, Lexington, NE 68850
Restaurant & Bar L unch and D inner Lakefront Cabins Boat Ramp OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 20 Bullhead Expressway Drive #28 Elwood, NE 68937 308-785-2298 Like Us on Facebook
Office: 308-217-0695
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