Still Standing - Summer 2008

Photo by Jim Molloy - July 21, 2008

Taken from Milltown Road, one of the few structures still standing, and barely, located on the north/west corner overlooking Ballard Lake. A fixer upper! (Click on image to enlarge)

The Chapel

Above added 11/4/2011 - postcard from the same series as the one below showing the chapel.

Above added 8/1/11: Postmarked 1941 - look closely in the upper left to see postmarks bleeding through the trees. Interesting perspective, too, looking north/northwest across the cove or beach area from the central camp above.

Update: The above postcard image added 4/18/09, and was provided courtesy of Dee (Dorothy) Giriat. It's apparent this image predates the picture postcard displayed directly below, which shows the chapel. But in the above there's no evidence of the chapel peeking from behind the trees, suggesting it wasn't there when this picture was taken. The only obvious structure is Charlie Giriat's cabin, which was constructed in 1939. Therefore, a good guess would date the above 1940, and the below around 1945. Also note the comparative name changes printed on these two postcards: "The Living Christ Conference and Camp Ballard For Boys," vs. "Lakeside Bible Conference." So, in the reflective words of Charlie Chan, "Vedee, vedee, interesting!"

(Click on pics to enlarge)

The first photograph was taken when Lake Ballard was utilized as a seasonal Baptist camp (c. 1940's). Of course, things changed after we arrived; god left town... on to holier pastures he went, lamenting the flood of Catholics. The photo itself is a postcard, apparently to promote, or identify, the camp - and captures "The Chapel".

Update: The second photograph, taken by Jim Molloy, shows the same scene today (August, 2008).

When the cabins were converted (c. 1950) into summer rentals, the chapel was also made habitable, and subsequently became known as "The Mitchell's." The Mitchell's occupied and improved what is shown above as the open end of the structure. In addition, Tex Mitchell added a substantial dock, including a ramp that led up to their lake-side door - plus a wooden gangway which allowed others to access the dock without tracking through the house (chapel). Mitchell's dock became a favorite gathering place for camp dwellers, especially us kids.

The boat in the foreground appears to be "Denny's" (Denny Giriat), that is, the rowboat he inherited from the former Baptist camp. On the day the above picture was taken, it was apparently used to transport the photographer. That he/she noted "Holmes, N.Y." as the Ballard Lake location - and not "Pecksville" - will remain a religious mystery.

In any case, it's a great picture, and thanks to Jim Molloy for providing it.

And don't forget to click on "At The Lake With Bill & Lori, 2008..." under Links, for a special photo-tour around the lake.

UPDATE (4/27/08): I must be losing my mind! The chapel was divided into three units; the center space was occupied (and improved) by the Kwasnicki's (sp?), and it was Bill Kwasnicki -according to the old woman yelling in my ear - who came up with the idea of using wood pallets, that is, the boards salvaged from the pallets, to accomplish the interior improvements. Meanwhile, the last or third unit was occupied by the Kilga's.

This is only to point out the weakness of [my] memory, and why you must leave corrective notes, essays, and monographs in comments! Or, just say a few words to let us know you're here, an official member of the Ballard crew. Also, contact me if you would like to share pictures/images/text, or have suggestions - email: davewrite-at-gmail-dot-com.

Walking To Flossie's

Photo by Jim Molloy - July 21, 2008

Here's a bit of interesting history concerning the old graveyard on Milltown Road:

Visited April 2001. On south side of Milltown Road, just west of intersection with Rt 52. Next to the fairly new small stripmall. Many-many field stones. Inscription, "1700 - 1950, One of the oldest cemeteries in Dutchess County. Land donated by the James Ballard Family. Buried in the center of the cemetery is the Tidd Family. Polly Tidd, her sister, and brother were kidnapped by Delaware Indians in Oct 1769. The boy was Tomahawked on the large rock on top of the hill. Polly's sister was slain becasue she refuesed to marry a brave. Polly married a brave and had two sons, Johnathon and Aaron. Later when Polly was freed, she came back to Pecksville and reclaimed her parents' homestead. The two sons died young due to small pox. Polly lived to be 80."

As kids, we walked by the the Milltown Road graveyard hundreds of times during the 1950's - on our way to Flossie's tiny store located on Route 52 at the foot of Milltown Road, about a half mile from the lake. Usually to get a Pepsi, maybe a bar of ice cream. And there'd Flossie be, barely able to see, she'd put the dollar bill right up to her eyes to be sure it was what it was. In a store so small, today we'd call it a shed.

As a Baptist, she refused to stock Coca-Cola, believing it contained cocaine - "Devil's Juice." We didn't complain though, since Pepsi gave twice as much (cocaine?) for the same price; 10-cents, and 2-cents back on the bottle.

You may also recall the little red house that sat next to the graveyard - just a tiny place, one, maybe two rooms, often with potted flowers by the windows during summer. Never knew who lived there, a happy mystery from childhood.

Milltown Road was dirt and shell-rock back then, and the hot-rods would kick up a road-storm racing to god knows where. That's what I remember, the Pepsi boys, the "Indian" burial ground, and the little red house covered with the dust of summer.

DM

Update: Click on the following link to view a fragment of Pecksville and Stormville history. (Note: An underscore indicates a link)

Party Pose, 1956

Amy, Keane, Kwasnicki, Mitchell, Molloy, Tischer, Tulley...

Ballard Lake

Ballard Lake, aka "Lake Ballard", Milltown Road, Pecksville, Dutchess County, New York. (Mailing District: Holmes, NY)

Main period of interest; 1950's, before and after!

Main subjects of interest: current and former area residents, summer renters, those who were there - kids, adults, interlopers, fugitives. Also prospectors, hermits, and historians.

Lake Ballard lies within the jurisdiction of East Fishkill.

Previously a Baptist summer camp, the lake and surrounding property was owned by Van Ness Ballard of Holmes, NY, and consisted [mostly] of approximately 15 bungalows clustered around the south/south-east side of the lake, which included a converted chapel ("The Chapel"), the converted mess hall, a community outhouse w/plumbing, a public phone booth (i.e., tiny bungalow) - all of which hosted about 20 seasonal families during the 1950's and early 60's, which we believe was Ballard Lake's most active period.

If you were there or have any information concerning the condition and whereabouts of the above mentioned, including the not-mentioned, please post in comments - which is open to all!

(This post, the very first Ballard blog post, was last updated on September 11, 2012)