Surprise! Lake in Historical Photo Was Not at Malvern Prep

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!