| In the years of 1950-51, vast improvements were made at the park. The parking lot, at the beach, was totally redesigned, enlarged and blacktopped. All main roads were resurfaced; a new boatdock was built on Lake Lenape and much landscaping was completed. In addition to these improvements, a new entrance sign was erected and illuminated with floodlights. The total paid admissions, reported for 1951 were 196,663, with the largest single day being a total of 8,117. On Tuesday night, April 1, 1952, Shakamak was once again the scene of a tragic drowning. Clyde Suthard, a 48 year old Jasonville coal miner, lost his life when the boat carrying he and his fishing companion, Guy Gorby, capsized. Both men were thrown from the boat and Mr. Gorby was able to swim to shore and go get help. Unfortunately this help could not be summoned soon enough to save Mr. Suthard’s life. Another boating accident, just one year later, on April 29, 1953, claimed the life of Jerry Lee Harlow, of Jasonville. Young Harlow and a friend, Richard Sluder was fishing when it was reported the boy tumbled into the water. His companion brought help to the scene as quickly as possible, but rescue attempts proved futile. The body was finally recovered about an hour later. The administration, of the park, changed hands again in 1953 with the appointment of Charles Harbaugh as Custodian. Mr. Harbaugh was the seventh person to hold this position. William Walters II was the new park concessionaire. |
| Shakamak Beach 1950's. Max Griffith in front center of postcard. |
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| Beginning in 1954, Shakamak State Park provided yet another service to this area by offering free swimming lessons for youngsters. These lessons were under the auspices of The Greene County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Later this program was expanded to include lifesaving classes as well. The 1954 Shakamak Swim Meet boasted of the largest field of contestants ever to enter this annual event. More than 250 participants were registered for the events. Shakamak again played host to the National AA.U. Junior Championships. This year saw Murland Searight, chief petty officer of the Naval Training Station in Norman, Oklahoma, take first place, in the platform diving championship. Ann Cooper, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa took first place in the springboard competition. The 19th annual meet, in 1955, was a gigantic event. 870 swimmers, from all parts of the United States, met at Shakamak to decide the National AA.U. Championships. Dick Corner, of Cornell University, took first place in the 10-meter platform event. Phyllis Shields, of Washington, Indiana, was the winner in the three-meter spring board competition. A crowd of between six and eight thousand people was on hand to witness the event. Due to the vast number of entries, the meet began at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, continued until 10:00 Saturday night, then resumed again on Sunday morning, lasting until 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening. In the latter part, of the fifties, these swim meets continued to grow until it became necessary to ad an additional day to the events. Friday was the choice of the commit-ee. So the meets would run through Friday-Saturday and Sunday. William Walters II, of the Jasonville Industrial Bureau, was in charge of these events for many of these years. He performed this monumental task most admirably. Paul Gilbert, also of Jasonville, accepted this responsibility, as the decade of the fifties drew to a close. He too, proved to be an excellent choice for this demanding task. Charles Harbaugh served as park custodian, from 1953 until 1957. Gerald J. Usery replaced him. Mr. Usery became the eighth Custodian of Shakamak State Park. |
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| National AAU Swim Meet in the 1950's |
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