Ellis Lake facts for kids
- For other lakes with the same name, see Ellis Lake (disambiguation)
Quick facts for kids Ellis Lake |
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 Ellis Lake
Location in California
Ellis Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marysville, California |
| Coordinates | 39°08′52″N 121°35′14″W / 39.14778°N 121.58722°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
Ellis Lake is a beautiful lake located in Marysville, California. It's not a natural lake, but one that was made by people! You can find it bordered by 9th Street to the south, B Street to the east, 14th Street to the north, and D Street to the west.
How Ellis Lake Was Created
Long ago, the area where Ellis Lake now sits was a natural overflow channel for the Feather River. It was more like a swampy area back then.
In 1924, a group called the Women's Improvement Club of Marysville had a great idea. They wanted to turn this swamp into a lovely lake and park. They hired John McLaren, a famous designer who also helped create Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
The project took many years to complete, finally finishing in 1939. The lake was named after a well-known Marysville citizen, W.T. Ellis, Jr..
Building During Hard Times
Much of the work on Ellis Lake happened during a difficult time in American history called the Great Depression. This was a period when many people lost their jobs and money.
To help people find work, President Franklin Roosevelt created special programs. One of these was called the New Deal Plan. The construction of Ellis Lake was part of this plan, giving jobs to many people.
What Was Built at the Lake
The project involved a lot of construction and landscaping. Workers carefully shaped the land around the lake. They also built two tennis courts for people to play on.
A special 20-foot bridge made of concrete and local stone was built. This bridge connects the main land to a small island in the middle of the lake. There was also a dock and a boat landing for boats.
To make the park beautiful at night, rubble rock electroliers (fancy light posts) were installed. An ornamental fountain was added, along with strong rubble walls along the banks of the lake. All these features helped turn a swamp into the lovely park we see today.
