Lakeside

Today, I'm headed out after a wonderful week in Lakeside, the Chautauqua-on-Lake-Erie. Lakeside was founded in 1873 as a campmeeting and is a thriving community today. Many of the cottages are now year-round homes and it is a gated community. They have wonderful programming at several sites around the resort. And a great dock area for swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. It's where steamers used to bring guests.


It's been so nice to spend a full week here. Last summer, I stayed for a only a few days, so I have enjoyed being able to work at a slower pace and enjoy all that is Lakeside. Several friends from the Chautauqua Network are here and I've made other friends this week. I continue to enjoy meeting with older community members for oral histories.


Lakeside has about 900 cottages, mostly Victorian, but a few were built in each decade of the 20th century, leading to a wide variety of architectural styles. Lakeside's downtown area is bustling with a movie theatre, gift shops, restaurants, and at least four ice cream spots!