Sunview Lake (Columbia, South Carolina)

USA / South Carolina / Columbia / Columbia, South Carolina
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Sunview Lake was built by my grandfather, Charles Eugene Teague, when he acquired multiple acres in this location after the depression. He engineered the lake by clearing approximately forty acres and utilizing the water from the creek to the north and constructing a dirt dam to the south. This was during the 1940's (am checking the correct date). A swimming facility was later built on the site and was open to the soldiers of Fort Jackson during World War II. It later became a private swim club and was managed by Charles Eugene's children. Many Teague family celebrations were held there for many years. The bath house and swim club provided showers, changing areas, baskets which acted as lockers, a refreshment stand, dance floor with juke box, and picnic shelter. Other activities in use throughout it's history were: a bbq area, volleyball, fenced in kiddie area, piers for fishing and diving, a low and high dive platform, and swing rope. One of the unique features was a trampoline that was stretched out over a large hole in the ground and staked to the ground. There was a sandy beach and tall swaying pine trees that provided shade during the hot Columbia summers. Many memories were made there. If you have a memory of Sunview Lake, please share it below for others that might be interested.
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Coordinates:   33°58'17"N   80°54'43"W

Comments

  • A million fond memories! Fishing from the dock, picnics during thunderstorms in the shelters.....I remember there was some sort of thin wooden ledge that separated the shallow from the deep, cutting across the middle of the swim area? I remember that high dive, whoa! Sunview Lake was a cherished part of my childhood....my best friend Theresa Broomr and my sister Lori and I had a blast!!!! ! Thank you for this Internet historical record of the lake!!!! Suzanne Woolston
  • I used to swim here as a kid with my cousins. We had a great time! I miss the good ole days when all you needed was a good swimming hole to have a great time.
  • I remember how incredibly clear the water was and the Lilly pads floating all around the edges. I remember The wooden barrier that separated the shallow from the deep. I remember the first time I climbed up to the high dive platform-I almost fainted! And when I jumped off I didn't think I would ever hit the water! I felt like everything was in slow motion! Oh, and the white sandy beach where my mom would recline on a towel while my dad allowed us to cover him with mud in the shallows. The dressing rooms were simple curtained cubicles; men to the right gals to the left. Dad always had his basket tag pinned to his suit. Imagine that! You put your stuff in a basket and no one bothered it-it was just what you did. Truly a wonderful place that I spent many Saturdays during the summer! Sarah Collins Bailey
  • Sarah - you must be my cousin. I remember going here with you and Mary Bess back in the 1960's. Your dad would take us - and stop for Slurpees at the 7-11. Hope all is well with you and family. Mike Brooks
  • I remember going to this lake during the summer. Me and my sister and brother. I remember swimming out to the poles. You could touch once you got out there but couldn't in between. I also remember that high dive and the piers on each side. My sister knocked her front teeth out on that low board. Lots of memories at this lake as a child.
  • Great place went there when I was a kid. Will always remember
  • My family were members in the 50's and we really enjoyed the swimming. One day we took a neighbor, Arthur Hudson. Arthur had lost his front two teeth and wore a removable denture. Arthur dove off the board and lost his teeth. After repeated dives my dad (Donald H. Collins) found them. Pappy Altfather, of Alt-Lee Photographers in Five Points, had property up the lake and his son (Ken) and I used to put in a boat from there and fish. The pond was full of nice bass! Eddie Collins (brothers Cary and David, and mother Frances Watts Collins.
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This article was last modified 18 years ago