Colvert’s Lake or Colvert’s Recreation Center.
Same place. Different names.
A bonified vacation partial of DeKalb County, Tennessee. For many years, especially during the 1950’s and 1960’s, it served as the “entertainment location for persons of all ages and of all destinations.” It was the gathering hole for local teenagers for many years. I remember it well.
The 20-acre venue was easily identifiable. In its simplicity, it was suggested to all who would listen, “Wanna go to Colvert’s Lake?” Directionally, it was located just off Highway 70 toward Sparta about one mile.
A place to go – to see – and to be seen. It was a local playhouse for every person of every age. It was the weekend watering hole, fishing hole, swimming hole, movie hole, snacking hole, and dating hole. I remember seeing and being with the lifeguard, Marcia Young Darrah.
Today, these holes have dried-up. Gone. Puff. Never to return again in our lifetime. Yet, forever in our memories – of having an integral position in the lives of many townspeople, albeit being etched in their minds.
“I learned to swim there. My brother-in-law, Joe Stone (Tinsey), stood at the side and showed me the strokes,” remembered Janie Cook Knowles. “I also remember Danny Love – you could hear his motorbike turn-off the main highway. Everyone cleared the pool for fear of him holding you underwater. He was a terror!” Bet it made the water stand on edge!
Denise Snow Rutland remembered and commented, “This place had it all. I sure wish it was still here (in Smithville). What a great place to take your family!”
During a recent interview with Freddy Colvert, he remembered punctually and fluently, “It all began when the acreage was bought by my dad, Obe Colvert. Prior to this sale, Murfreesboro native, Wilson Fletcher began building on the land to make it into a resort,” Colvert remembered. “Around 1948-1949, the lands and accommodations were purchased by my father-in-law, John “Si” Cantrell (Linda). He and his father, Obe Colvert, began making the area into Colvert’s Lake. The developers added an Olympic-sized swimming pool; a drive-in movie theatre; a live-bait and tackle store; a boat-rental area; live bands, especially on the holidays; horseback riding; boating parades on the lake; a dance hall; and, among other events, there were many laughable greasy pig races, in addition to rentable office spaces; a main furnished office building; live “Grand Ole’ Opry” musical performances and concerts; lots of parking spaces; picnic areas spaced throughout; and living quarters for administration and employees in the top floor of the main building.
In a February 15, 2018 comment, former Smithville resident David L. Estes remembered, “Who remembers hanging out at the Colvert’s Lake pool? When I hear music from the 1960’s, it takes me back there. It was my summer-time daycare!”
In continuation, Rutland found the following newspaper advertisement about the resort:
“Bring your friends and family to Colvert’s Lake on Sunday, June 17th. See in person: String Bean; 3 complete shows at 1,4, and 7 p.m.; Outdoor drive-in theatre, all day for 25 cents; the drive-in movie had lots of parking space with admission 15 cents, tax included.
Colvert’s Lake was filled with several differing varieties of catfish and many other species of aquatic life. Gigantic, it would easily accommodate fishing boats of regular lengths and widths. The popular motel was named, “Center Hill Resort Hotel.” The welcoming outdoor neon advertising sign read, “A Fisherman’s Paradise, Open. Vacancy, Swimming, Boating, and Fishing.” Bet Jackie Neal Smith would have been in “fish heaven” there.
Local resident, Judy Evins Maxwell recently said, “I loved going swimming there. It was a big part of my summers.” As it was for most DeKalb County youth.
As for Lucy and me, we remembered the frigid water in the swimming pool. Colvert set the record straight by revealing that it was “spring water.” And, yes, it was “iced cold,” remembered local resident Debra Smith Black. She also recalled seeing the water pipes from the Spring bringing water to the pool.
“What is there now? Did the lake dry up? Is water still there?” questioned Smithville’s Jean Biles. “When I was a young girl, we would hike to the area and fish. Too funny. So long ago.” In her reply, Rutland responded that the Colvert’s Lake dam had given way during the 1980’s and her friend, Dave, took her there during 1979 to fish. It was beautiful then. It’s so sad that it’s not there anymore.”
Today, only memories remain of Colvert’s Lake. The buildings have fallen to the grounds, now thick with overgrowth, where fun attractions once stood. Many locals have visited the area since its demise. Recently, a friend remembered hearing the laughter circling the barren lands.
“Life changes – death erases – but, memories live on (LFJ).”
