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Thread: Lake X - The Last Day
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07-27-2015, 02:36 PM #1
Lake X - The Last Day
On the very day that Mercury was moving out of Lake X in 2003, I drove there to shoot some photos. It was a bit of a gray, windy day and the very last day that Mercury would be there. That night, the last of the trucks would leave and the property that was Lake X would go into history.
These are the photos I shot that day. It was kind of eerie seeing those famous buildings, somewhat rusted and run down, but knowing that they've been part of so much history there. Those characteristic plexiglas bubble windows were such a bold reminder of an era long gone. The tower was in such a decayed state that I was not permitted to climb up to the top, for fear that the structure was unstable.
It was a sad day, but I was happy that I could at least see the place on its last day.
Enjoy the photos!
Greg
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COMPRECBRKR, CaptainCraiger, gary slagle, props4u2, MODVP22, Everydayangler, Jimboat thanked for this posttux974, hydrostreamvking4m, mistah_max, props4u2, HStream1, MODVP22, TNT, Everydayangler, pkstv liked this post
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07-27-2015, 03:33 PM #28000 RPM
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I still say they should have keep it for outboards thanks for posting this Greg
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07-27-2015, 03:35 PM #3Team Member
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That would be a very cool place to have a race. Just like the Miami Marine Stadium.
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07-27-2015, 03:41 PM #45000 RPM
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Any idea what's there now!
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07-27-2015, 03:44 PM #5
I was there a few weeks before they left and was still pretty much up and running still. they would not let me have a camera there, and asked my guide to NOT go by the outboard shop... I saw a he pile of " SCRAP" aluminum that included blocks, offshore SSM 6 lower housings and other stuff that would make most of us DROOL. And now that is just history to us all.
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07-27-2015, 03:46 PM #65000 RPM
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very cool
24 Skater 250xs
15 Viper 2.5 260
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07-27-2015, 04:08 PM #7Screaming And Flying!
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Sad to see but glad you got it on film.
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 04:15 PM #8
Such an awesome - and mysterious - place. Many folks have no idea just how many famous boats were rigged, tested - sometimes broken - and then re-rigged there. Sad, but thanks for sharing!
1992 Progression 22
Mercury Racing 250R
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 04:24 PM #9"12" Super Lite Tunnel (11') "88" 25 Yammy twin carb "BANANA SPLIT"
"77" Hydrostream Viper "87" 140 Rude heavy modded w/15" mid, Bobs nose and lwp "DANGER ZONE"
"72" Checkmate MX-13 "80" 75 Rude w/15"mid and Nitro Lu (to be restored)
"Too much is never enough" Keith Richards " Dreams become reality via hard work and perseverance" G.A.Carbonneau
"This coming from an old man that strapped two bananas together, hung a motor on it and calls it a boat" XstreamVking
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 05:06 PM #10
I'm happy you all enjoy this as much as I do. There is so much history attached to Lake X - just going there was a very cool experience.
Right now, there is an air strip there, which is named Lake X Airstrip. If I recall, Yamaha took possession of the property immediately after Mercury, but I am unsure of how long they used it for and what purpose it was used for.
Almost all of the outlying structures, including the tower, are gone, sadly. In 2003 they were in a state of advanced disrepair, but I actually liked seeing them that way - untouched since 1957, when Mercury developed that property and built up those structures. It was like a very cool time capsule. I liked seeing the old slat windows that you can easily spot in old videos from there. You can recognize a lot of the very same buildings from those old films.
Below you'll see the famous porthole bubble windows in the main building. That Mercury truck there was the very last truck to leave, and it was being packed up with the last of the items to be moved out. They were literally leaving that day. I miss that red Camaro I had .
Below you'll also see a current Google Earth image of the area, which is Lake Conlon, about 30 miles outside of Orlando.
Here is the Google Maps location link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/La...6799881d6dd309
We have so many members here that can share really incredible stories about Lake X and there are some fascinating threads in the History forum here. I would love to see more photo posted from Lake X's history.
Thanks again everybody!
Greg
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gary slagle, props4u2 liked this post
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07-27-2015, 06:03 PM #11
Tower was still there couple years ago. Place is a preserve now, owned by a foundation. It's possible to arrange group visits.
'71 Glastron V153 - Composite rebuild - Unceremoniously wrecked
'81 Baja 15 SS - "nine-paged" '77 140
'81 Carlson C500 Metric - Currently in foster care
'70 something Speedcraft - Allison 16R clone - Undergoing restoration
'79 Carlson CVZ 19 - Far back burner
WALK TALL AND CARRY A BIG BILGE PUMP
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 06:15 PM #12
have spent countless hours reading threads on "lake x in the sixties" ,have a few friends that have visited lake x many years ago , sometimes they would return with "reject" parts. wish that i would have visited back then.
LTB OLDGUY
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 06:19 PM #13
I'm stoked, great pics!
It would be great to be able to do a tour.
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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07-27-2015, 06:31 PM #14"12" Super Lite Tunnel (11') "88" 25 Yammy twin carb "BANANA SPLIT"
"77" Hydrostream Viper "87" 140 Rude heavy modded w/15" mid, Bobs nose and lwp "DANGER ZONE"
"72" Checkmate MX-13 "80" 75 Rude w/15"mid and Nitro Lu (to be restored)
"Too much is never enough" Keith Richards " Dreams become reality via hard work and perseverance" G.A.Carbonneau
"This coming from an old man that strapped two bananas together, hung a motor on it and calls it a boat" XstreamVking
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07-27-2015, 06:39 PM #15
Have two friends that both worked at Lake X for Mercury Racing. Bet they have some great stories.
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Scream And Fly liked this post
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