Warners Lake
Location
Warner's Lake refers to the lake and surrounding community in the north central part of the town near East Berne.
History
WARNER’S LAKE HISTORY
- Mathias Warner Family from Schoharie moved to Beaver Dam by 1765 when Warner's Sawmill was built on the Foxenkill halfway between what are now the hamlet of Berne and East Berne
- 1765 - the first settlers on Warner’s Lake were Christopher Warner and his brother Johannes, who built a log cabin in 1765 and in 1790 built the original farmhouse. The large hickory trees there were grown from hickory nuts brought from Europe, hence the name Hickory Grove Farm. In 1849 Christopher Warner's son Abram J. built a second farmhouse on the north end of the lake. Both homes are still owned by Warner descendants Warner homes
- 1899, Henry Binns purchased the whole south end of the lake from Sussana Gallup, widow of Moses Gallup, who was the first to provide a swimming area with picnic tables. Henry Binns eventually built cabins for rent. At this time the farm was known as Binn's Grove, Binn’s Landing or Pine Grove. 1920’s the grove was sold to Mr. Pitcher and it became known as Pitcher’s Camp. Mr. Pitcher then sold his lakefront property to the Roberts family from Ravena, and the property was known as Robert's Grove for the next 28 years. The property changed hands a few more times, to owners George Vunck (1946), John and Teresa Cocca (1950), and Dave and Betty O’Hanlon (1955). The property was finally purchased by Mary and Patricia O’Hanlon in 1987 and is maintained as their private residence.
- 1906, Mr. George Tompkins built a large home at the north end of the lake on land purchased from the Warner Family. He ran his Lake View Cottage as a boarding house for many years. Mr. Tompkins owned a small covered Steam Launch "The Sarah E." which was brought from New York City to Altamont by train. The launch was then delivered to the cottage by Mr. Warner’s wagon. Mr. Tompkins gave people rides around the lake for 10 cents. In 1950 the property was sold to Karl and Hilde Zwicklbauer and became a popular German-American restaurant. In 1976 the restaurant was purchased by Reinhold and Adelheid Scholz, who sold it to the present owner, John Pleat.
- early 1900’s, Jay and Lydia Engle built Engle’s Fur Trading Post on the east side of the lake. Jay was a rather eccentric character known for his tall tales and the bear he kept as a pet. This property is now owned by the Osterhouts, who purchased it in 1970.
- around 1900 until the mid 1970’s a girls’ camp known as Camp Orinsekwa operated on the west shore of the lake. In later years the property expanded to become a co-ed camp known as Orinsekwa-Sonnekwa.
- In the 1930’s Arthur Warner sold camp lots along the east shore. From 1946-1950 many of the rental camps on the south end were sold to private owners. A large portion of the west shore remains undeveloped.
- From the 1940’s through the 1970’s, Warner’s Lake was a very popular tourist area with three public beaches, three boat launches and many camps for rent. At present, the lake community is mostly private residences, with only one restaurant and one boat launch remaining.
Learn more about Warner’s Lake and surrounding areas in a book entitled Life Along the Way on Route 43 available at local libraries.
Original source: Willard Osterhout (since modified)
Sections of the lake
Special Events
- Hawaiian Luau
- Dinner Dance at Plank Roaders
- Dinner Dance at the Haufbrau
- Family Day at O'Hanlon's
- Family Day at Osterhout's
- Ice Fishing Derby
- Hurricane Irene
- Dam Repairs
- Town of Berne Summer Youth Program
- Family Day at Scholz-Zwicklebauer's Hofbrau
- Block Party at O'Hanlon's Grove 1971
- WLIA winter meeting Jan.14,1989
- Ice Racing
- Walleye stocking program
Churches
- St. Mary's of the Lake, (Don't you just love that name?), the first Catholic Church in the Town, was established in 1916.
Businesses
This section will have the history of each business beginning from its establishment, through various ownerships and name changes. Pictures may be used provided you have authority to post them.
Former businesses
- Mattice's Lake View Cottage was a summer boarding house
- Warner homes were summer boarding houses
- Steam Launch "The Sarah E."
- Binn's Grove
- Engle's Store
- Camp Orinsekwa
- Camp Woodstock
- Robert's Grove
- Harvesting Ice
- Camp Solo
- Abram J. Warner Home
- Christopher Warner Home
- Warner Lake Improvement Association
- Newspaper Articles
Current businesses
- The Hofbrau Restaurant - serving German specialties in an historic resort on the shore of beautiful Warners Lake at 141 Warners Lake Rd., East Berne; Tel. (518) 872-1016 / 872-9912.
- Maple Inn - a restaurant in an historic building in East Berne. 64 Main Street, East Berne. Tel. 518-872-9433.
Families
Cemeteries
The Warner Family Burying Groundis the burial ground for the Warner family for which the Lake is named.
Photo Gallery
This section is for scenic photos and post cards of the hamlet. Photos of people and families should be posted on biography or family pages.
Lake View Cottage, photo from Life At The Lake Lake View Cottage 1930, photo from Life At The Lake Pitcher's Camp 1920, photo from Life At The Lake Camp Binns 1930, photo from Life At The Lake Binn's Camp 1912, photo from Life At The Lake Air Raid Poster, photo from Life At The Lake Early sailors on Warner's Lake, photo from Life At The Lake Early swimmers, love the suits, photo from Life At The Lake Swimming at the lake in the early 20s, photo from Life At The Lake Which group has priority, photo from Life At The Lake Diving at Warner's Lake in the 1930s, note the use of a hand operated air pump, photo from Life At The Lake Lucy(Warner)Hinman and Edna(Talmadge)Hinman at Warner's Lake, photo from Life At The Lake L-R Friend Sholtes, Alta Mae Sholtes Ball, Clyde L. Ball Warner's Lake in the background. Photo courtesy of Allan Deitz
Sources