Article Contributed on: 3/10/2006 4:06:36 PM
Kountze Lake may not be a familiar name to readers. To me, this is one of the most delightful and picturesque lakes in the so named Lakewood. It lies, generally speaking, to the south of Belmar Library. Go south on Wadsworth Boulevard, turn right opposite Office Depot and head straight down to the car park.
We really enjoy the scenery, identifying the birds and ducks and the walk around the lake. The smallest lake faces the car park with a walkway across a covered bridge to a three-tiered viewing platform and the main lake. There is a glorious backdrop of the foothills. Armed with binoculars and our Audubon bird book, we have so far identified about 24 different species.
A large mansion was built here in 1937 for Mary Bonfil-Stanton, a Denver Post heiress. A magnificent two-story house of glazed terra cotta with balanced façade and a wing either side. A tree-lined avenue led in from Wadsworth to the entrance gates. The whole house was demolished in 1971, the only remaining features being the gates and a small boat house facing the smaller lake with steps and balustrade leading down. Do I hear cries of "Historic Register?" The thought of demolition of the house today would undoubtedly be resisted.
How standards have changed over 30 years. I once lived in an Edwardian house in England dated 1904. In fact, the whole of the avenue was Victorian or Edwardian. There was no "conservation area" over this area in 1970. Now I believe it has been designated, thereby bringing strict control over alterations, additions or demolition on any house. Application has to be made, a consultant architect inspects and reports go to the planning committee.
The whole town center of my home town of Sleaford, Lincolnshire became a "conservation area" in the 70s as it contained all the historic buildings. The castle site commenced in 1123, the parish church from the same period, the Elizabethan Vicarage and many historic buildings from various architectural periods. The main shopping street is a very sensitive area with controls on the use of the buildings, advertisements, paint colour and shop front design.
What was once the main shopping street in the 1940s, with the butcher, baker, greengrocer and ironmonger within a short walk, has now lost its vitality. The continuing interest lies in a few public houses with thrift shops, offices and boots the chemists in between. I believe an F.W.Woolworth is still there! An example of the effects of supermarkets being located at the edge of town.
I haven't been back to the town for five years and I read of many changes even over that period of time. Once a market town of 8,000, it has been transformed over the last 20 years to double that figure. The cattle and poultry markets have disappeared and the weekly market in the marketplace has weakened. Such is the effect of the pace of progress.