Land of Lakes

Land of Lakes

History of Land of Lakes Needed

We are looking for those with a knowledge of the history of Land of Lakes to add to the brief paragraphs here on the web site. Please contact Ed Klaas at 678-461-7921 if you are interested. Thank you!

Provided primarily by Fred Bollinger

Both Lakes were built around 1952. The acreage was owned by a Georgia Power official who used it as a retreat.

Development of the subdivision started in 1964. The first houses were on the west side of North Coleman road and progressing westward. The Dow’s home at 1180 North Coleman Road (now the home of Ed and Silvina Klaas) was the first home built and occupied.

All of the initial homes were priced from the 20’s to mid 30’s with the exception of the Polly and Luther White home (now the home of Ed and Jennifer Ricci and family), which was more expensive.

The city limits of Roswell at the time was the western edge of the subdivision, which ended just past the Seymour’s house on Lake Charles Way, which also dead ended there. Land of Lakes Drive dead ended just past Charles and Jean Caudell’s house. The only entrance to the subdivision was off North Coleman Road.

Further development beyond the Caudell’s house and the Seymour’s house took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In the early years Roswell Elementary School children were not furnished transportation. The start of coverage extended to 1 and ½ miles from the school and Land of Lakes was only a mile away. Fulton County later provided bus service.

The lakes were named “Robert Reeves Memorial Lakes” in remembrance of the son of Joe and Clara Reeves who was killed in Vietnam. The residents who lived around the lakes wanted to do this to honor Robert. A plaque now stands to memorialize him.

Interesting Tidbits

In late 1965 or early 1966, the lower lake accidentally drained when a neighbor trying to dislodge debris from the standpipe broke it off at the base. The lake drained completely.

Around 1980, a speeding car driven by a 16-year old girl who had just received her driver’s license, spun out of control and jumped the spillway in front of the “White House”. It floated out to the middle of the lake and sank. The driver and her girlfriend weren’t hurt but were really scared.

About our association

Land of Lakes Homeowners Association History

In 1999, a small committee of interested residents began plans to establish a neighborhood association. A straw vote was taken and the results showed that the majority of people polled favored establishing an association. Many expressed that they did not want an association that would develop rigid rules for the Land of Lakes community. Almost everyone requested that dues be voluntary and kept to a minimum.

The commitee took all the comments to heart and recommended that the goals of the commitee be the following: maintain the integrity of the neighborhood, promote neighborhood interaction, speak as one voice on vital issues involving Roswell, provide assistance to ill or elderly Land of Lakes residents, develop and maintain a Neighborhood Watch, serve as a welcoming committee for new residents, and encourage positive community spirit.

Our First Year

In the spring of 2001, interest in forming a neighborhood association escalated after a new resident began the demolition of one of the entrance walls. It was determined that an active neighborhood association would be needed to address this and other issues. On April 26, 2001 a meeting was held to nominate a slate of officers. Officers were subsequently elected and the Land of Lakes Homeowners Association was born.

Early Successes

The first year, 2001/2002, proved to be extremely active and successful. Among other achievements, we:
1) updated and renovated our subdivision entrance with the help of neighborhood volunteers and donations
2) organized a Safety Committee with Street Captains who canvassed the entire neighborhood of 188 homes
3) provided a Preferred Contractor Book to all residents with contractors who have worked on homes in our neighborhood and who have been recommended by our neighbors
4) formed a Beautification Committee to help with flowers and shrubs as needed
5) formed a Social Committee and had several opportunities for residents to dine together in local restaurants
6) held our first annual Neighborhood Picnic, and
7) provided communications updates throughout the year to keep everyone up to date on important news concerning our neighborhood and association.

We encourage each of you to get involved. Your help is needed to make the future of the association as bright as the beginning.