A Short History 
of 
White Rock Lake
and the
Corinthian Sailing Club

This history has been compiled starting with a piece by Gay Means and information collected for the CSC 60^th Anniversary celebration in 1999. It was expanded using information collected for the White Rock Lake Museum in 2004.

The history is divided into the following nine sections to make it easier to read and navigate. To get going, click the small photos or use the navigation links below. If you click on the photos in the articles, you will be able to see an enlarged photo. There are also a list of source material and some additional goodies relating to this history listed at the bottom of this page.

 Intro   The Dam   Early Sailing Clubs   Park Develops in 30s 
CSC Formed   Dredging   1960   1970   1980   Present   Sources

The Dam White Rock Creek was dammed to form  White Rock Lake in 1911 to provide water for Dallas following a severe drought. The lake was out in the country and a weekend retreat.

Early Sailing Clubs The sailing clubs had their origins in the boathouses of the 20s.  The first sailboat race was held in 1926.  The lake's first sailing club, the Dallas Sailing Club, was formed in 1928. There have been four sailing clubs on the lake.

Park Develops in 30s White Rock Lake Park developed along with the sailing clubs in the 20s and 30s.  Many of the parks structures, as we know them today, were constructed by the CCC during the great depression.

CSC Formed The Corinthian Sailing Club was formed in 1939. World War II slowed, but  did not stop sailing on the lake.  The lake dried up for a couple of years during the droughts in the 1950s.

Dredging White Rock Lake collects silt from the creeks feeding the lake.  The lake has been dredged four times in its 90 plus year life.

CSC in the 1960s The 1960s brought mass production, fiberglass boats to the lake permanently changing the sailing landscape.  The club expanded rapidly though the decade to become the largest sailing club on White Rock.

CSC in the 1970s The 1970s were an active time at CSC with sailing participation at an all time high. There were problems with unruly visitors in the park that lead to partitioning Lawther Drive.

CSC in the 1980s The facilities were again expanded in the 1980s and the new clubhouse constructed. CSC received the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for outstanding race management.

CSC - The Present That brings us to the present. CSC celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1999. The Women's Racing Program, Special Olympics and the Leukemia Cup Dinghy Regatta were all started. The club went online with e-mail communications and this website.

These are the sources from which this history was drawn. Other Goodies: Early CSC members Chronology of the construction of the CSC docks Photos spreads of old clubhouse and construction of new clubhouse Sailboats that have actively raced on White Rock Lake National Champions from White Rock Lake and national events hosted by sailing clubs The early history of White Rock Sailing Club The Dallas Sailing Club and the start of Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club The history of White Rock Boat Club

 Intro   The Dam   Early Sailing Clubs   Park Develops in 30s 
CSC Formed   Dredging   1960   1970   1980   Present   Sources

A Note from the Webmaster
We would like to build on this foundation.  If you have memories or photos that you would like to share with CSC club members, we will work them into this history. Some items that would help round out this portrait of our club include - Why CSC was formed?  Information and photos of CSC in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. A list of members in the early 1940s. A list of CSC sailor's successes such as Kelly's Championship of Champions and Mallory wins would be interesting.  There are surely many more stories that members would enjoy. 

Please take the time to jot down your thoughts, if you would like to help capture our past, and send them to the webmaster or call Frank Richards, 214-827-4434.