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Lake Nepahwin, known for many years as "Gillett’s Pond" was discovered either by Gresham Gillett or his son Wilkes while hunting for cattle which had strayed from their farm. Mr. Gillett lived in a double log house on the site of the old Daniel Innes house on South Avenue.
Little attention was paid to this pond until the first Hotel was opened at Minnequa, when it became a favorite drive, enjoyed by the guests of the Hotel. One of these guests, Grace Greenwood, an author of that day, christened the lake "Nepahwin" in the summer of 1876. (May 25, 1876 Sentinel)
Lake Nepahwin is 307 feet higher that Canton Boro, and since the fall of 1888 has furnished the town with the bulk of its water supply. After much wrangling and the threat of a lawsuit between the boro and the Water Company, water mains were laid by William Robinson and William Burns and a large crew of men. When the lake water was turned into these mains it was far from satisfactory in quality, and it was several years before the quality of the water was noticeably improved.
During the 1890’s a large hotel was built on the north shore of the lake and was operated for many years by Mr. and Mrs. Will Baldwin. Mrs. Baldwin was an excellent cook and her Sunday dinners were enjoyed by many Canton families. The hotel had a large boathouse, with boats for the guests and dances were enjoyed each week. The hotel was known as "Lake Breeze Hotel" and was operated by the Baldwins until ill health forced them to leave. Sometime later the buildings were sold to the YWCA, and a large girls camp was established.
The girls came in groups of 200 to 300, changing every two weeks during the summer. YMCA’s from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Harrisburg and many other cities sent girls to this camp. After a number of years the popularity of the camp declined and the Association sold to another group. Since then the buildings have been owned by several different organizations, including the present Baptist Association.
Lake Nepahwin is fed entirely by springs and has no inlet. It covers about 50 or 60 acres and is 80 feet deep at the deepest point. The west side and part of the northwest and southwest corners have a sloping beach, but much of the rest has a rocky shoreline and is deep almost at the water line.
Before the days of electric refrigeration the lake was the source of Canton’s ice supply. Skating is enjoyed in winters when the ice is not covered with snow. There are eighteen cottages clustered around the lake and owned mostly by local people. These are in use during the summer and at least three are occupied the year round. In addition to these, there are several cottages owned by the Baptist Camp.
The first cottage built was the one now occupied by Cameron Campbell.
It was used as a fishing camp and for ice cutters. Later almost that entire
side of the lake was sold for $300.00. The second cottage built was Idylwyld,
owned by Dr. J. W. Parsons, and later by the Keagle family. It was first
used as a tavern, and consisted of two rooms downstairs, the larger of
which was a bar room.
Eleanor P. Keagle (1896-1971)
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At a little lake in the hilltop,
The home of the Mallard and loon,
Towanda was wed to Nephawin,
By the light of the full blazing moon.
And to make her name immortal,
With the lake so placid and deep,
They christened the lake Nephawin,
Which means “sweet spirit of sleep.”
Then Minnequa and her father
Went westward to their home;
Returning one day years after,
Determined no longer to roam.
Adorn the beautiful valley,
Towanda hunted the deer,
Nephawin was queen of the forest,
Their children the hunters’ cheer.
Author not recorded.
This was found among Miss Sadie Parson’s personal papers and is written
in her handwriting. She was the librarian (1904-1928) of the Green
Free Library in Canton, PA.
A nameless spring in the wildwood, clear as
the crystal sea,
A spot where all red men were peaceful for its waters were healing
and free.
Here, in the doorway of his wigwam with two
daughters by his side,
Sat an aged, weary chieftain, from the red Oneida tribe.
But old time was fast encroaching, bent in
form, and lame was he;
And to try these healing waters, a long journey came the three.
He remembered in his childhood how the lame
were quickly brought,
When in battle, sore and wounded, they these “spirit waters” sought.
He for years had roamed these forests and
knew every stream and mound,
Wild bird’s notes, and leaflet’s rustle, were to him familiar sounds.
Many tribes had found these waters north and
south, from east to west
And the sick throughout all nations thought these “spirit waters” blest.
Sparkling, bubbling, gaseous waters, sulphurous
to smell and taste;
Coming up from deepest Hades, where good is driven off as waste.
Here he lingered, growing stronger, till he
had his youth regained,
Then tho’t to memorize the fountain and a fitting name obtain.
So he sent out a delegation to all tribes
of the Iroquois,
To come dance by the spring in the wildwood, sings songs and tell tales
of its joys.
When the tribes had thus assembled, heard
the tale of youth renewed,
And drank of the cooling fountain and these loving daughters viewed.
They, in honor to their children, whom they
knew as Manatau,
Named it for the eldest daughter, “Healing Waters” – Minnequa.
Young Towanda, a brave of the Mohawk saw charms
in the younger one.
So beautiful, agile, and cunning, gave his heart, and her hand he won.
And quite jealous, lest the elder should outshine
the younger one,
Told the tribes he would be wedded before the day was done.
At a little lake on the hilltop, the home
of the Mahug, or loon,
Towanda was wed to Nephawin, by the light of the blazing moon.
And to make her name immortal with the lake
so placid and deep,
They christened the lake “Nephawin” sweet – “Spirit Of Sleep.”
Then Minnequa, and her father went westward
to their home;
Returning one day years later, determined no longer to roam.
Down the beautiful valley, Towanda hunted
the deer,
Nephawin was queen of the forest, their children the hunters cheer.
Leona, the foot of Mt. Pisgah, was for one
of their daughters named
And for good deeds, and brave ones, the other children were famed.
Once a year they met together in honor of
Manatau brave,
Near the spring, quite hid in the forest, at a mound, that was Minnequa’s
grave.
Grace Greenwood was a well-known author and poet. It was this poem that
made people change the name Gillettes Pond to Lake Nephawin. This was considered
a more dignified name.
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