Surprise! Lake in Historical Photo Was Not at Malvern Prep
Every guess was wrong, but the correct answer did involve a local Catholic school.
Mary Lake, on the grounds of Immaculata University, is dried up today, after the school destroyed a dam to remove the lake in the 1970s.
Tim Caban
Photos (4)
Photos
The response to last week's historical photo challenge was unusual in two respects. First, it drew a lot of comments—27, at last count. Second, it produced a broad consensus about the answer that turned out to be dead wrong.
The lake featured in the photo, taken circa 1940, is not the body of water on the campus of Malvern Prep, as many people guessed. In fact, the lake doesn't exist anymore.
The correct answer, guessed by no one, is Mary Lake, which sat on property owned by Immaculata University. The college breached a dam in the 1970s to remove the lake for liability reasons, according to Tim Caban of the East Whiteland Historical Commission.
You can see some amazing photos of the lake in its heyday on Flickr, with Immaculata's signature dome in the background.
Since there were no clear winners last week, we'll award kudos to the doubtful Susan, who withheld judgment:
I've been to a lot of swimming holes in the area in my time...but this doesn't look like any of them. The 'Sheephole', Cornog quarry, heck the Daylesford quarry! But this one is unfamiliar to me..then again, I wasn't around in 1940. ;-)
Wow - others are saying its the Prep pond. I remember ice skating there in the 60's but never swam there. It looks like that could be the spot - will wait for the right answer.
Thanks to everyone who participated last week!
In This article
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Susan
Joined Patch Thursday, April 19, 2012 -
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Malvern Prep School
418 S Warren Ave, Malvern, PA -
Immaculata University
1145 King Road, Immaculata, PA
Tim Caban
8:33 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
In case you don't have the patience to click through all the pictures on flicker, start here and click to the right to see pictures as late as 1972 and as early as 1926
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iuarchives/4618382171/in/photostream/
Also interesting, a poem written about Mary Lake
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iuarchives/4618381939/in/photostream/
Special thanks to Immaculata and Sister Anne Marie Burton, Archivist for making us aware of these photos.
Finally, all the comments about Malvern Prep and the drowning and "floaters" makes me wonder if that was the reason why Immacuata drained their lake.
Thanks for all the guesses. I learn more about these places many times from what is written in the comments than anything written in the historic files.
Susan
8:13 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Great post, Tim. The photos and the poem are priceless. Thank you Sister Anne Marie Burton, for saving these for us to enjoy.
Pete, have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy this feature of the Patch? Learn something new every day. :-)
Mike M
8:04 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Tim thanks so much. Being born and raised on Malvern I just love seeing old photos and what life must have been like back then. Looks like.
Pete
10:02 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Well... put up some pictures of Malvern Prep pond so we can hear more stories! ;-)
Regina DiLabbio Klugh King
8:48 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I hereby offer my resignation from being the end-all Malvern olden times authority (although, in my defense, I am good within the confines of the Boro!) I turned down a four year scholarship to Immaculata in 1964 to join the work force and make a whopping $40/week as a legal secretary. BC. Before Computers. $40/week. Immaculata didn't miss much by not having me in her illustrious ranks! :-) Kudos Pete and Sister!
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10:29 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wow, did not know that, went out to Flickr to look at pictures, cool is all I can say, great history. Where was that lake on Immaculata! It's a shame it's gone.
Tim Caban
11:17 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
It was in the valley on the right as you drive south on Hershey's Mill Road just north of Anthony Drive. If you look, there is an orange chain between two posts which is where the path is located to the old lake. Also be aware that it is posted as private property, although I doubt there will be a huge rush of people going down there to see it.
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3:13 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Thank you Tim, I will have to go see if I can find it!
Jim McVeigh
4:37 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Well I guess it's just another fish tale for me. I wasn't around in the Forties so I couldn't have fished the lake.
Good one !!!!!!!!
Jim McVeigh
7:54 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
From this link from TIM, http://www.flickr.com/photos/iuarchives/4618382171/in/photostream/
it still looks like Malvern Prep Lake except for the railing and decking.
Though my view when I ice skated was often from the prone position LOL
Christine Dixon
6:35 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Love this column! Keeps me in touch with where I was raised. I enjoy hearing stories and historical facts from all the places in and around Malvern. Keep those pictures coming!! Now live in Arlington, Texas. Jay Behler, say hello to Jenny for me! Hello to Regina, except I really feel like I need to call you Mrs. Klugh!