Life at Lake X in the '60s

[merc1250bp]

Steve : Thanks to you and all who have told so many great stories about the lake and whatever comes to mind please add more. I'm new to S&F and have no racing experience but not new to Mercury,been a Merc fan since 1966 at age 5 and a Merc / Mercruiser mechanic for almost 30 years, something about that Phantom Black left a lasting impression for a lifetime.Been in Central Fl.for 20 years and have been very fortunate to have met some of the legends of the Kiekhaefer Corp. and Mercury that have been mentioned. 2 goals I wanted to acheive one I wrote Mr.Kiekhaefer back in 1981 to thank him for some great motors, which he kindly took the time in his busy schedule to respond back with a letter which was classic Mr. Kiekhaefer style, fortunately not directed at me, I will elaborate more if anyone would want more details, and two, set foot on Lake X property. It was around Nov. 1995 that John Culver finally took me over to the lake for a few hour visit where we met up with Don Schweb "Schwebie" as I was told. He took John and I all through the new building and upstairs to the museum, which apparently all the " museum" motors that were discussed were moved to Fond du Lac by this time because the only motors that were there, were well used and on wooden home made stands that all fell over! not a cast iron Kiekhaefer stand in sight. Another thing that I noticed while upstairs, and I asked myself what the hell was bunch of OMC clunkers motors, gas tanks, etc. doing at "Mercury"! We moved on to tour a little more outside and boy are you right about security apparently I got a little to close to the outboard shop and in my excitement not thinking were I was was quickly directed away from the top secrets of the day. I was so excited to be there I forgot ask if I could go up into the timing tower but got to see quite a bit, I thanked John and Don very much and was told by Don I was welcome to come back any time. Well its late and thats about it for my experience at the Lake, just felt I should post to this thread and I hope I have made this somewhat interesting,
Thanks again Steve, Rick.

[seeroy]

Steve - Every little bit helps. I'm sure that we would all like to see that letter from Mr K. As I get a little older, I think I get a bit more nostalgic about my times at the lake and love to hear others tell about theirs. Sometimes the best stories are from those that were only there once. Like the song by Enya...."It's never as good as the first time" - Steve

[oldskier]

I grew up in Charlotte Co. Fla in the '60's. Never even knew about Lake X in those days, but there was a facility in Placida near Boca Grande that had barbed wire all around it, and I was told it was a test facility. Anyone know what it was (is)?

[transomstand]

I grew up in Charlotte Co. Fla in the '60's. Never even knew about Lake X in those days, but there was a facility in Placida near Boca Grande that had barbed wire all around it, and I was told it was a test facility. Anyone know what it was (is)?

That was the salt walter test facility. Moved to X Site as well. I stayed on Little Gasparilla in the late 90's. Lots of ugly yellow boats driving around with brand new Mercs. Engines bolted to docks running 24 hours a day.

Pete

[oldskier]

Jeez, used to skinnydip on the point on the north end of Gasparilla Island leading into Lemon Bay. Now there are mega gazillion dollar stilt houses sitting there with their chin stuck out toward the Gulf waiting on the next big storm.

[BarryStrawn]

Some posts had mentioned the owner of Lake X.

Ken Kirchman was the owner of the Lake X property as part of his 10,000 acre ranch. He also owned the Kirchman Corporation that was in the banking software business. Several of my coworkers worked for him and they tell stories about corporate parties at the ranch and working for Ken. From listening to the stories, it seems he was as peculiar as EC. I suppose they were friends.

The corporation was sold to Metavante a couple of years ago and I heard Mr. Kirchman passed away this spring.

[transomstand]

Jeez, used to skinnydip on the point on the north end of Gasparilla Island leading into Lemon Bay. Now there are mega gazillion dollar stilt houses sitting there with their chin stuck out toward the Gulf waiting on the next big storm.

If my geography is right, Gasparilla Island is south of Little Gasparilla. We hung out a lot at the southern tip of Little Gasparilla, no skinny dippers though . Rented a house there with a boat, no cars, and no bridge to the island. Had to park the car at Gasparilla Marina, and drive the boat to the island, the Merc test facility was between the bridges. Really cool place, and a beautiful part of Florida, but sure wouldn't want to be there during a Cat 4 hurricane.

Pete

[nianticgary]

I drove by the Placida facility several years ago when it was still in operation. Was there an airstrip on the right ,parallel to the road that came in from the East and led to the facility? Also, how far up and down the intracoastal did the test boats go? Steve mentioned working at the Siesta Key facility. Where was that on Siesta Key?? Gary Larson

[transomstand]

I drove by the Placida facility several years ago when it was still in operation. Was there an airstrip on the right ,parallel to the road that came in from the East and led to the facility? Also, how far up and down the intracoastal did the test boats go? Steve mentioned working at the Siesta Key facility. Where was that on Siesta Key?? Gary Larson

Yes, driving in from Port Charlotte, there is a paved airstrip on your right just before you reached the test facility. Not sure how far those guys would go, we probably didn't go more than 8-10 miles from the island.

Pete

[seeroy]

I drove by the Placida facility several years ago when it was still in operation. Was there an airstrip on the right ,parallel to the road that came in from the East and led to the facility? Also, how far up and down the intracoastal did the test boats go? Steve mentioned working at the Siesta Key facility. Where was that on Siesta Key?? Gary Larson

Gary - I will provide very specific info about Siesta Key in the next day or two. Too tired to do it tonight. - Steve Sirois

[nianticgary]

I'm also interested in seeing any pictures of Power Cats in yellow Merc test boat paint as used at Lake X or any other Merc test facility.
Gary Larson

[marty92xrd]

Thank ya'll so much for this thread. Its one of the best I have ever read.

[AirRide]

T2 - Great update on some folks. Thank You. A couple of years ago I was in Kissimmee and figured, what the Hell, I think I will ride out to the Lake. It was eerily quiet at the front gate. There was a call box at the gate and a "Lake X Cattle Company" sign. I pushed the button but got no response. It was an incredibly lonely feeling standing there looking into the property. I went away feeling like an amazing piece of history had just faded into anonymity. For anyone that feels the call of Lake X, Go South/East out of Saint Cloud on US 441/192, when you pass 15/Narcoossee Road, check your odometer and procede for 3.9 miles, angle Left onto the Old Melbourne Highway, go 4.3 miles and on the left will be at the Lake X Gate (assuming that it is still there). Just inside of the gate you will see the end of the 5000' paved runway with an X on the end. If you are fortunate enough to be flying, it is not hard to find. I have attached a Google Earth image of the road from 441 to the gate. It is actually a very nice ride. -Steve Sirois

Yes, it was a very nice ride...I especially enjoyed the banked curves Carl had graded into the entrance road. He left nothing untouched...

[lilabner]

At the 6 hour race at the Lake, we got there a couple days early..On an early morning ride on that nice new banked road to the Lake, was Mr. K's hot rod Chrysler Station Wagon in the bush..I guess he needed a little more banking,,

[bigshrimpin]

I grew up in Charlotte Co. Fla in the '60's. Never even knew about Lake X in those days, but there was a facility in Placida near Boca Grande that had barbed wire all around it, and I was told it was a test facility. Anyone know what it was (is)?

My Grandmother used to own a shop on Boca Grande 1968 - 1992? When I was growing up (80's) I used to watch those yellow mercury boats all day long while fishing off the railroad tracks.