1920-1939

June 21, 1842

1920

•The grove was lighted by electricity and some of the cottages were the following year. Prior to this the lamplighter was a familiar figure making his rounds each evening and morning. Among those known to have held this duty are Chester Hapworth (father of Eva Lawry and Esther Andrews), Harry Merrill and Ernest Merrill.

•With one thousand people on the grounds in 1921, the need for more lodging space was recognized and in 1922 the present lodging house was erected.

•The passage of years brings inevitable change. 1923 may have been the last year for both Orren S. French (aged 90) and John Robert Hall to appear on the grounds. An era had passed. Herbert L. Day of Bangor died on the grounds during campmeeting 1924. He had been on the Executive Committee for fourteen years. He is the father of Cora Barnes (Mrs. Dr. Irving), Nellie Welch (Mrs. Horace) and Hazel Marshall (Mrs. Walter). This may have been the only death on the grounds although Elder F. A. Baker may have lost a daughter here years before.

•Another unusual but happy event occurred on the encampment in 1925 when Charles Monbleu was ordained.

•By 1932 when six were baptized, T. J. Coolbroth had baptized 183 at the lake front. Song leaders were Merton W. Snow, P. H. Jaffarian, Alden Berdeen, John Coolbroth, nephew of T. J., J. Paul Jameson, and William Brusby. Quartets from Waterville, Auburn and Somerville, Massachusetts added much to the services in the mid 1930’s. Gwendolyn Vannah led the children’s meetings with Dr. Vannah and Dr. Nichols as Bible teachers.

•By 1935, Rev. Coolbroth had relinquished the presidency to H. A. Welch who in turn passed the leadership to P. H. Jaffarian. In 1938 a “new water system and modern sanitary comfort station” was installed. Humorously referred to as the “Jaffarian Memorial,” it has been one of the most important buildings ever placed on these grounds.