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Atton's Lake Memories

By Mona Wade

Attons Lake is one of the three lakes located a few miles north of Gallivan. I used to know them as West Lake, Attons Lake and the East Lake. Attons Lake got its name from Mr. Henry Cunningham Atton who farmed there. It was a nice little lake that had lots of water and trees. We camped there many summers during the 1930's. There wasn't electricity then, so we had to dig deep holes to put our milk, butter, etc. in so that it would keep cool. We made a little wood fire to cook our meals on. We slept in a tent on the ground; each year we would usually set up in a different area. We had lots of fun as there were usually four or five of us there (myself and my two sisters and usually a friend or two). There were a lot of people from the area that camped then and we got to know many of them.

We used to have campfires and sing songs in the evening, which was nice. Some people used to fish along the shore or paddle small boats across the lake. In the afternoon, sometimes we would walk to the East Lake. There would be Catholic students camping there. We would visit and go back to our campsite. Other times, we would walk around Atton's Lake. Of course we played ball to help pass the time. There was lots of visiting done. Occasionally, some elderly ladies would make pancakes and call us in for some. It sure was a treat. A dance hall was moved in from Wilkie and there were times when we would listen to the music from the outside.

We spent many happy days at Atton's Lake.

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Mona, Mildred, and Ruth, 1934
Circa 1934
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada


Credits:
Wade, Mona