Lake Lorain [Five Mile Lake] 2007-2013 Sailboat Races at bottom
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Historical Picture Album

This map from the Atlas of Wayne County dates  from 1872.  Lake Lorain was known as Five Mile Pond.  You will notice that the roads of today do not exist.  PA Route 370 that connects Orson with Poyntelle did not exist.  Orson did not exist but Hines Corners, named after the first settlers is a prominent landmark.  Today's route 670 was a main road then known as the Belmont Turnpike.  The names of the residents at that time are indicated along with the schools.  Orson Pond is smaller because the dam was not constructed.  Five Mile Pond has a slightly different shape since the water level was higher causing it to cover the low areas adjacent to the lake.  The level of the lake was lowered to relocate the outlet when the O & W railroad was constructed in the 1880's.

Impact of the New York Ontario and Western Railroad

The NYO&W railroad was primarily a route from the New York City area to upstate New York.  It was a financial failure from the beginning.  To gain more traffic the railroad constructed the Scranton Division in the 1880s.  Anthracite coal in Northeastern Pennsylvania was in demand throughout the east and the O&W built a route from Cadosia NY to Scranton through difficult terrain.  The rail line went right by Five Mile Lake and hit its highest elevation there about 2060 feet.  The steep grade from Forest City and the heavy weight of the coal necessitated "pusher" locomotives.  These would disconnect at Five Mile Lake and back into the "old Wye" to turn around and return to Forest City to assist another train.

This railroad map shows the old wye and the spur to the ice house at Five Mile Lake.  The golf course is at the upper left today.  The lake is at the lower right.  The mainline continues to Poyntelle to the left and to Forest City to the right.  This map is from about 1910.  Notice that the spur to the ice house runs along the shore of the lake past the massive ice house foundation and continues to the "boat ramp".

Fishing at the lake about 100 years ago.

Steamboat at the beach

Winter was a challenge

	This is the snowplow used to clear the rail line.  It is shown parked at the "Pleasant Mount" station which was actually at the location of the Agway store at Herrick.  Two locomotives pushed this plow to ram the drifts to open the line.  The section from Orson to Poyntelle was notorious for deep snow.
	On March1, 1920, two Bullmoose locomotives tried to clear the line near Orson Pond with the plow.  One of the engines derailed and went into Orson Pond.  The pond was drained and the engine was eventually returned to the rails.

Satellite Picture April 14, 1992 [snow drifts remain at beach]

Pictures from the Modern era
	1958 showing the beach with hot dog stand now Mary Ellen Smith's cottage.
	1970's Sailboat race winners at Baker's now Cullen's

	This picture is from the summer of 1956 when lots were first sold at the lake.  Notice the area around the tavern was clear of trees.  This was before the golf course was created.  A sharp eye will reveal a barn to the right of the tavern at the edge of the lake.  This was inhabited by "Socks", a hermit and a horse.
	This view looks toward the beach and shows the hot dog stand.  It is taken from the site of the Grambo house which was built in 1957.
	These winter scenes are from about 1960 after the present road into the lake was opened.  The old road came into the lake along the railroad and past the outlet.  Winter was still a challenge.

Sailboat Races Return To the Lake 2007

More Race Pictures

Sailboat Races 2008

Sailboat Races - 2009

More 2009 Sailboat Race Pictures

Sailboat Races - 2010

Sailboat Races - 2011

Additional Pictures

Sailboat Races - 2012

More Pictures

http://lakelorainsailboatracephotos.shutterfly.com/

Great Telephoto action shots and a movie!  http://marclombardi.zenfolio.com/p328094944

Sailboat Races--2013

Stern Security Award

Between Races

Lake Lorain Sailboat Races 2014

Mike Natishak winner

Ralph Grambo Homepage