10 | Destination Elwood/Johnson Lake 2024
into the lake and could accommodate as many as 32 boats. During the first several years of the lake’s existence, Central permitted only one “concession stand” at the lake, an establishment operated by a Mr. Remmenga from Elwood. The business was located on the east side of the lake on the site of what is now known as Medo’s Resort. Butch and Ellen Stevens later acquired the lease and operated Stevens Cabins until selling it to Allen and Naomi Hudson in 1957. The Hudsons operated the business as Johnson Lake Resort until 1963 when Harry and Reba Collins acquired and operated the facility as Collins Resort. The Collins in turn sold the resort to Clinton and Roesetha Mutchie in 1968. Ownership then passed to Elmer Bergman (Bergman’s Resort), Greg Medo, and then Shannon and Stafford Thompson, before returning to Medo in 2002. The Nebraska State Game, Forestation and Parks Commission (now known as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) first stocked the lake with game fish in 1941, although fishing was prohibited for the first year to allow the fish to grow and reproduce. Fishing became instantly popular when it was first permitted on July 1, 1942. The first true “cabin” on the lake was reportedly constructed by S.E. Salisbury in 1942. It was described as a one-room, wood-frame building on Sandy Point. Cliff Hurliss and Dr. G.V. Reynolds of Overton claimed in a 1965 newspaper article to have placed the second permanent structure at the lake in the early 1940’s. The home was moved from Overton to a site adjacent to what is now Crappie Corner. “A mighty deserted-looking area then,” according to Dr. Reynolds. “No trees, no water, no plumbing, just a simple cabin on a sandy knoll.”
More cabins soon followed, their owners coming from longer distances despite the difficulties posed by gasoline rationing. After the war ended and resources again became available, the pace of development increased. The boom in cabin-building was said to have started in about 1950 and a cabin sprung up on almost every available and suitable lot. By 1964 there were 548 cabins on the lake’s shore, ranging from one-room structures to more elaborate homes costing as much 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
All of Your Convenience Store Needs Right on Johnson Lake
Pizza, Breadsticks, Wings & More Beer – Liquor – Pop – Snacks – Groceries • Camping Supplies, Hunting and Fishing Supplies • Nebraska Game & Park Permits • Tourist Information 74888 Johnson Lake Drive 25 - Johnson Lake (308)746-7475
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker