The 50th anniversary of the Village of Holiday Lake was in October 2025. For the benefit of those who did not hear my talk at coffee hour on 1/7/26 on the history of this Village, I am repeating that information and adding a little more. I plan on continuing to write highlights of the history in the Voice for the months of March and April. This History was written by resident Margaret Dey for our 25th anniversary in 1995.
In the beginning there was sand. This beautiful development was a sand pit with a puddle of water surrounded by palmettos and undergrowth. The year was 1975 and General Development Corporation had visions of a beautiful lake with mobile homes surrounding it. A dirt road with ruts for wheel tracks was the only access to view this desolate sight. Oh, how the salesmen must have painted a rosy picture for the future.
The Bretons from New Hampshire followed by the Longs from Massachusetts came in late 1975 and they too had visions of a beautiful village. They ordered their coaches and that was the beginning of Ratan Circle and the Village of Holiday Lake.
1976
The Bretons returned in January 1976 and spent a lonely winter until renters moved into a third coach purchased by the VanArsdells. The Longs moved in permanently later in the year and by then the Hakinsons, Jacksons, Greifensteins, Shurtleffs, Christies and Gerstlers had arrived. Seven full-time families made up the population for over a year. Our coach (Deys) was the second one in the park. It was set down next to the Bretons's in September 1975 and was then moved across the street to its present position, to become the first single model in the Village.
December 3rd, 1976, was a special day for us. We had been flown down from Canada by General Development to view our mobile home. We had purchased a lot sight unseen from General Development back in the early 1960's. The deal was the same that given to so many families, $300 for the weekend, including air fare and hotel, and if you bought, the $300 was deducted from the price of the mobile, and your weekend was free. The deal was signed and we flew back to Canada wondering what we had done.
1977
It was now 1977 and there were no streetlights anywhere, no recreation center, no laundry facilities and no cable TV (you could get three stations, if the weather co-operated). Koffee Klatches were held on porches when the neighbors would get together. The only contact with General Development was through Karen Russell (later the first park manager). She came on Thursdays to an office in the trailer now across from our park entrance on R.R. 771, now known as Gasparilla Rd.
The Recreation Center, originally planned for the Adana area, was relocated to Loris Court by unanimous consent of all homeowners. Everyone was contacted and had a vote, even those who were up north. Spring was an exciting time. Ground was finally broken for the Recreation Center. Rumor has it there were many "Sidewalk Supervisors" to watch the progress and also to salvage any good left-over materials. In July, the Recreation Center was opened and the area around it was lit. There was a Gala for the Grand Opening hosted by General Development. It was a dress-up affair; the men wore their suits and ties. Karen Russell was the first manager of the Village of Holiday Lake. The Recreation Center became the mecca for all the social activities. The swimming pool was not officially open until months later but the heat and the temptation of the cool water were too much for the residents; they would sneak swims before Karen arrived and after she left. During the day, the men would congregate around the pool table. The women decided they were missing out on all the fun, so Karen instructed them in the art of shooting pool. That summer a tornado brushed the Village. A mobile home directly behind ours on Ratan Circle was lifted up and lay broken on its side.
Coffee hour on Wednesday mornings became a habit. Karen and a few of the women took turns baking goodies.
General Development gave permission to keep the Recreation Center open one evening a week, namely Thursdays, as that was the most convenient time for Karen. Soon monthly suppers were initiated with Karen doing most of the work. Later it was changed to covered dish suppers.
1978
Finally, January 1978 arrived and we were packed to head south. We were snowed in and had to leave the car packed and start out the next day. The next day we arrived at the Port Charlotte Welcome Center, one day late, to pick up our key on a Saturday afternoon. We spent about three hours waiting while they hunted for someone to find our key. At last, after what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at Holiday Lake. We had written ahead and had been expecting it on Friday afternoon. Low and behold, when we walked in, the stove was still sitting in the middle of the floor where it had been a year before. The water was not connected, there was no power, and it was cold! We soon met our neighbors the Greifensteins and their daughter and son-in-law, Marion and Don Smith, who are the present owners. That was when this history was written; they have both since passed on. It wasn't long before, Don had an extension cord from their coach to ours, and we had light. A pail of water helped us to survive until Monday. We found out in a hurry what has made Holiday Lake such a wonderful place to live - neighbors such as these! We were all much younger in those days and considered Florida a "Holiday Vacation". We were full of energy and needed entertainment. We played pool, shuffleboard, swam and gossiped around the pool. We thought it would be fun to have a shuffleboard tournament and so talked Karen and General Development into providing a trophy. We had our tournament on a lovely, warm day in March, Bill and I were fortunate to win. General Development also provided us with popcorn and beer. In early April, the first "Awards Night" and Potluck Supper were held pool side. Karen presented us with a small trophy. Needless to say, that trophy still has a spot in our Florida Room. Once a month, Bill took our records and record player up to the Recreation Center and marked the beginning of the dances, free to all. It was time to try something new. Bingo was suggested but we had no cards. The Gardens of Gulf Cove Association agreed to loan us their cards so one morning either Bill Dey or Dick Long would drive over to Independence Village and pick up the cards. The following morning they would return them. Karen made a request to General Development for cards of our own and in due time they arrived.
John Hearn on Silage Circle has offered to reprint the entire History for $9.00, including tax, if anyone is interested in having their own copy. The history covers the following years: 1975 - 1996. You may contact John Hearn at 518-312-8782.
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