Lake Wylie - 1966

This picture and story were received from Jan, daughter of Judy Penland Smiley. She adds to the memories of generations growing up on Lake Wylie! To see the girl in the newsletter, scroll down to the next post.

Some of my earliest memories include "going to the river" with my Grandmama and Granddaddy. He'd hitch up his boat to his old blue Ford pick-up, while Grandmama packed a cooler with iced tea (sweet, of course!), fried chicken, home grown tomatoes, and a giant watermelon. Granddaddy would take one or two of us with him to the boat landing, which usually involved a stop at the bait shop for a styrofoam canister of worms.

Meanwhile, the rest would pile into Grandmama's car and head to the river shack. We'd drive down Allison Creek Road, which at that time was an adventure in dodging potholes. Then we'd veer off to the left onto a dirt road with no road sign. We'd take a left fork first, then a right, then another right, and so on. Those who didn't know the way would follow hand painted signs that were nailed to the pine trees at each fork.

A day at "the river" (which is how Lake Wylie was referred to in the days before Jimmy Carter) always involved lots of swimming (or bobbing around with those lovely orange life jackets), a bit of fishing with cane poles, getting bitten by chiggers, and eating watermelon. Ah, those were the days!

If an afternoon thunderstorm came up, we'd duck into the shack, hand-built by my grandfather. It had a small kitchen, a living room, and one bedroom. The "bathroom" was down a path into the woods . . .

At the end of the day, we'd go back to Grandmother's house, a bit sunburned and VERY tired. We'd paint our chigger bites with fingernail polish and go straight to bed!

Thanks for the memories! If you'd like to add some of yours, please email David at dtc01@comporium.net, or follow the link through my website at TheLakeWylieMan.com.

Visit my website for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate property searches, helpful information for waterfront residents, and links to Lake Wylie community information.

Lake Wylie Memories - Who is this girl?

The little girl in this picture is Judy Penland (now Judy Smiley). The picture was taken of Judy when she was about 5 years old, near what is now The Lake Club on Lake Wylie. Judy has many fond memories of her daddy (Bill Penland) taking her swimming and fishing at "the river". Her mother loved to lie in the sun and watch Bill fish. They'd catch bream, catfish, and bass and fry them up for supper.

When Judy was about 10, her family and some friends went in together to lease a lot on Lake Wylie. They built a small shack, and enjoyed lots of good times.

Now Judy and her husband Mac live on Lake Wylie where they built their retirement home several years ago. Their grandchildren love coming to visit, and enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming. (Judy STILL loves swimming in the lake!)

Visit my website for Lake Wylie real estate property searches, helpful information for waterfront residents, and links to Lake Wylie community information.

Lake Wylie Memories

This river "shack" was built and enjoyed by the Penland and Robbins families of Rock Hill. This picture of Alice Penland sitting on the steps was taken in the 1950's.

River shacks such as this one were common on Lake Wylie during the 1960's and 1970's. Most of the land was leased from Duke Power, so permanent residences were not built.

In the late 1970's, Duke Power began offering lake lots for sale. Those who had been leasing the lots had first right of purchase. This lot was purchased for $7,700 from Duke Power in 1978. Incidentally, if sold today, this property would be valued at over $500,000!

Visit my website for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate property searches, helpful information for waterfront residents, and links to Lake Wylie community information.