Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
In the southeasterly reaches of Marion County lies a freshwater basin encompassing 9,600 acres with 38 miles of shoreline. Lake Weir along with its sister Little Lake Weir has a storied past from its discovery by natives to once being the hideout of a mob boss that boasted about chasing a huge alligator that the local townsfolk called “Joe.” Today, the lake is one of the finest recreational lakes in Florida and offers lodging and dining overlooking the water where birds and an occasional seaplane take wing.
Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area, featuring a convenient boat ramp, provides a delightful opportunity for a day of activities such as swimming, kayaking, skiing, fishing, motor boating, and sailing. Energetic sun enthusiasts engage in lively volleyball matches, while those enjoying a picnic observe several Hobie Cats skillfully navigating crosswinds before changing direction to race windward in an organized regatta. The historic Lake Weir Yacht Club, established in 1909, proudly hosts the annual Christmas boat parade. Over on the eastern shoreline of the expansive lake, Hampton Beach presents picturesque scenes where the vibrant hues of the sky blend seamlessly with the water as the sun sets.
The fertile soil, expansive savannah grasses, and pristine water sources of North Central Florida enticed settlers to establish plantations before the onset of the Civil War. Among them, Colonel Adam G. Summer stood out by introducing Brahman cattle from India and obtaining 1,600 acres of lush grazing land, which he named Watuula. Overlooking the western shores of Lake Weir, he constructed a stately lake house. History speaks fondly of this gentleman, who eventually ensured fair wages and cabins for all his workers. Presently, the town of Summerfield, situated north of The Villages and to the east of the lower lake, proudly carries his name, honoring his legacy.
In the 1880’s, Railroad tracks were laid north of the lake through Ocklawaha by the Atlantic Coast Line. Lake Weir began to attract wealthy vacationers seeking a relaxing environment. During the prosperous 1920’s, one ambitious New Jerseyan Jay Eaton realized the lake’s visitor potential and sought to create a new Coney Island with a boardwalk and ferris wheel. In retrospect, the area’s charming simplicity was rescued from developers by the onset of the Great Depression. Any major plans for tourism gave way to slower progress only to salvage the natural blue-green beauty with its sandy bottom and resort-like beaches. Remnants of the original Eaton’s Beach remain today. The popular nostalgic Sandbar and Grill is a hotspot to savor the local flavor.
After a major heist in the 1930’s, notorious crime matriarch Kate “Ma” Barker and her thug son Freddie chose the languid vale to lay low. The townspeople, especially the benefactors at the local tavern found the pair to be rather neighborly. Legend suggests that it wasn’t until an inebriated Freddie aimed a machine gun and shot at the local duck population that the FBI was alerted by concerned citizens. Another version traces a map and a letter telling of mighty 15-foot, 7-inch ‘Gator Joe’ to Fred’s brother Arthur “Doc” Barker. The well-preserved, once bullet-riddled house in Ocklawaha was offered for sale at $1 million in 2012 and was later ferried across the lake to its current location in Ocklawaha and is open to the public as a museum.
During calm mornings, as bass come into view, a gentle mist blankets this haven for anglers. In its earlier days, the water was deemed so pristine that numerous individuals had it directly pumped into their residences. Today, opulent modern estates have taken the place of the quaint southern cottages that were formerly utilized as winter getaways by affluent proprietors. As a result, the reflections upon the lake have gained an even more captivating allure.
