Alan and Margery Walker purchased Groton Lake Lots 9 and 10, June 20, 1974 from Jeffrey Fisher, who had acquired the property from John and Germaine Marinelli, July 16, 1971. The property was owned by the State, leased to owners for life plus ten years, for a small annual fee. ln March of 1985 the State of Vermont, at the urging of the Town of Groton, offered to sell the property out right. We then purchased Lots 9 and 10 from the State and the property became eligible for local taxes.
ln February of 1990, as we laid plans to build a year-round house for retirement, our neighbors, Francis H. and Alice B. Smith decided to sell their property, bordering ours to the North. We purchased this parcel, Lot 11. Total acreage of the combined lots is 1.03 acres of land, 300 feet of shorefront, and 150 ft. depth, bordering on Groton State Forest.
All of the land, Lots 9,10, and 11 had been conveyed to the State of Vermont by Robert J. and Marian L. Miller as part of 10,000 acres acquired by the State in1922.
We knew the area well, having camped in the State Forest for several weeks while looking for housing when we moved to Vermont with our four children in 1958, and had returned often over the years to enjoy camping, picnics and swimming. At that time, leased land could change hands only every few years during periods designated by the State. ln 1974, during one of those openings, we happened to see the for-sale ad in the newspaper and hiked in to have a glimpse. Lake front! no matter that the camp was in severe disarray and access difficult -via a hike in from the old railroad bed, kept passable by camp owners, or by boat from a dock near the Lamberton camp – we said Yes!
It took considerable labor to make the camp habitable and the bats never did give up their share, but how happily we spent the time we could manage to be in residence. Four years later, 1978, we moved to Alaska and could return for only two weeks each summer. Another five years in Pennsylvania allowed a little more favorable commute. Our friends, the Merle Smiths, also fans of Park, enjoyed the camp and kept it up in our absence.
Road access was achieved in 1987, thanks to Peter Lyon’s work in gaining needed permits and engineering the construction of our West Shore Access Road. What a difference to be able to drive to camp! The new access also enabled us to make plans to replace the old camp, with its do-it-yourself plumbing, water supply, and most other amenities, with a year round, comfortable home. At our retirement in 1991, we were ready for full time occupancy.
Winters turned out to be as magical as summers In our snug new house. We especially enjoyed the extended terrain when the lake was frozen, snowshoeing across to the woods on the other side to hike and to follow animal tracks. Ten years later when health issues sent us South (Hanover) for the winter months, we continued to reside at camp for over half the year and returned for many winter holidays.
Now, after a love affair of forty years, the property will be up for sale, fall 2014, or spring 2015. We hope another family will relish it as much as we have!
Margery S. Walker
