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McLain Tenting at Atton's 1933
1933
Atton's Lake Campground; Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

10

People were allowed to put whatever type of building they could afford on their lots, no restrictions, consequently grain bins, storage sheds and other similar buildings were moved in. A few necessities in the public areas were added and appreciated such as wooden tables, benches, horseshoe pit, children's swings, a ball diamond with bleachers and a booth. Two bath-houses accommodated men and women bathers and a diving board was installed to mark the hole and to give experienced swimmers more depth in diving.

Our family's first building was a one room shack. It could only accommodate a bed, a folding couch, two apple box crates with a division that served as a shelf to hold dishes, a wooden box with a hinged lid for grocery storage serving also as a bench. There were corrugated cardboard boxes of mother's home preserved meats, vegetables, fruits, jams and pickles in glass sealers stacked one upon the other - there was very little space to walk. Meals were prepared and eaten at a long wide wooden table my father built in front of the cabin with attached benches. Above it was a canvas canopy that had too many holes to keep out the rain but did offer shade. A small iron stove had a flat top surface large enough to boil a kettle, use a frying pan or a vegetable pot, one at a time. A cardboard lined hole in the ground with a wooden lid kept milk sweet and butter firm for short periods of time.

Many evenings were spent in group singing on our lot. Clayton had only to strum a few chords on his guitar or banjo - it was like a summons and campers wandered in from all directions, robes tucked under their arms for sitting on the ground. Occasionally other musical instruments were brought in. Often it was a mouth organ or a jews harp.

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Municipal Park Camping Permit 1933
Summer 1933
Atton's Lake Campground; Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

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Around 1930, George Paterson, a Scout Master of a Boy Scout Troop in Unity, Sask. was encamped with his troop at M'cLellan's Lake. He came to Atton's Lake one day to see if he could arouse an interest in a weekly Saturday night bonfire and program that would involve his troop and the campers. It was agreeable with the campers so they and the troop gathered wood all week, piling it on the hill-side east of the ball diamond. Members of the troop went from camp to camp recording program items. The Scout Master organized the order of the program and at dusk with the hill-side covered with people the huge bonfire was lit and the program was on.

The variety and talent displayed all evening held a very appreciative audience. The hearty applause encouraged all of us who took part and it was no surprise to anyone at the close of the program to hear an announcement of future weekly programs.

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Afternoon at the Lake During the War Years
Circa 1941
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

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Soldier's Bride at Quiet Lake
Circa 1941
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

15

Mr. D.A. Henderson from North Battleford was the first caretaker of the park. A booth, selling only a limited supply of necessities, was open only a short period of each day - it was not a store.

In 1935 Harry Clysdale moved a large dance hall to the area. It was south of the park. Phat (Elwood) Jones and the Rhythm Vendors from Rockhaven provided music at one time then Phat Jones and Reg Mclvor at another time.
The ball diamond was well used by teams from many districts. I remember a team from North Battleford. Our local Riding Hill team enjoyed many games there.

For a short period of time there was a tennis court south of the ball diamond. For lack of use it was finally removed.

A number of people drowned on the south and west sides of Atton's Lake before sufficient measures were taken to warn the public of dangerous holes.

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McLain Family on Beach
Circa 1941
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

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Friends in a Boat
Circa 1935
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

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Boat Dock at Main Beach
Circa 1935
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby

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Lambier's Hill
Circa 1950's
South of lake area, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Forest's Drug Store

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Municipal Park Camping Permit 1943
5 September 1943
Atton's Lake Campground; Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

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The McLain shack was replaced by a three room cabin in 1961. It was sold to Albert and Alene (McLain) Hardy in 1979 and at this writing, 2007, it is owned by Allan and Karen Hardy.

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McLain Cabin
Circa 1941
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Sleath, Ruby