The 1934 Grand Lake Improvement Proposal: A Forgotten Vision

In March 1934, Ohio newspapers reported on a transformative 1934 Grand Lake improvement proposal to enhance Grand Lake (also known as Lake St. Marys) into a major recreational and tourist destination. Supported by state officials, local organizations, and community leaders, the plan included deepening the lake, constructing artificial islands, and building sizeable breakwaters with roadways to improve its natural beauty and accessibility. Local businessman and civic leader Leo E. Dwyer played a central role in promoting the idea, hoping to lift the region’s economy during the Great Depression. This paper examines the specifics of the proposal, the community leaders behind it, the broader economic and social context, and the lasting impact of the Dwyer family’s contributions to Celina and Grand Lake.

Context and Background

Grand Lake is located between the towns of Celina and St. Marys in western Ohio. By the early 1930s, local leaders felt the lake was not reaching its potential as a regional draw for fishing, hunting, and boating. The pressures of the Depression inspired new ways to spark local economic growth, and large public works projects were common under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. Infrastructure improvements in roads and highways made Grand Lake more accessible to metropolitan centers such as Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Indianapolis, all roughly 100 miles away (Coldwater Chronicle, March 23, 1934). These improved links encouraged leaders like Leo E. Dwyer to propose a sweeping plan to make the lake a hub for recreation and tourism.

Another factor at play was the lake’s history as an artificial reservoir. It covered roughly 18,000 acres, and six sections of this land—about 4,000 acres—had been deeded to the state of Ohio by the federal government. This transfer required the state to maintain the lake as a public recreation area (Evening Leader, March 27, 1934, p. 3). Local leaders recognized that draining or abandoning the lake would trigger complex legal and financial responsibilities. Some or all of it would revert to the federal government if it were ever converted into farmland, and there was concern about the cost of dividing and developing the land for agricultural use. These circumstances reinforced the idea that building on the lake’s recreational potential was a better long-term approach.

Details of the 1934 Grand Lake Improvement Plan

The 1934 proposal, as reported in The Coldwater Chronicle, The Piqua Daily Call, and The Evening Leader, described three primary components to elevate Grand Lake into a premier recreational destination:

1. Deepening the Lake
   Crews would use suction dredges to remove silt and sediment from the bottom of the lake, making the water deeper and clearer (Coldwater Chronicle, March 23, 1934; Piqua Daily Call, March 21, 1934; Evening Leader, March 21, 1934). This process aimed to reduce stagnation and promote healthier conditions for fishing and boating. The sediment removed during dredging would then be repurposed to build the core of new roadways or breakwaters.
2. Construction of Breakwaters
   Two sizeable breakwaters would run north to south across the lake, each about 350 feet wide, positioned around three miles from each end of the lake (Coldwater Chronicle, March 23, 1934). According to additional details in The Evening Leader, one of these breakwaters was proposed from Sandy Beach on the east side to the county line road on the south side, and the other from Island Park on the west side to Montezuma (Evening Leader, March 21, 1934, p. 1). These structures would reduce shoreline erosion, create calmer areas for water recreation, and allow for the development of cottage sites on either side of the road. They were also seen as a way to protect boaters from sudden storms by cutting down on large waves.
3. Roadway Development
   Plans called for roads to be built on these breakwaters, linking highways around the lake to each other and providing efficient travel across the water. Bridges would be placed at intervals so boats could move freely from one section of the lake to another without leaving the water (Piqua Daily Call, March 21, 1934; Evening Leader, March 21, 1934, p. 1). The proposal anticipated that these roads would draw more visitors, create easier access for locals, and open the lake to tourism-driven business opportunities. Early estimates put the cost of the entire project at around $750,000 (Evening Leader, March 21, 1934, p. 1).

Beyond these main components, the plan highlighted 21 specific reasons why the breakwaters, roads, and artificial islands would benefit the lake (Evening Leader, March 27, 1934, p. 3). These reasons included:

1. The lake covers around 18,000 acres and was once considered the largest artificial body of water in the world. It represents a large historical investment and is filling up with loose silt that must be removed.
2. Six sections (about 4,000 acres) were deeded by the United States government to the state of Ohio with the condition that the lake be maintained as a recreation area.
3. If the lake were drained and used for farmland, part of it would revert to the federal government, and costs for clearing, surveying, and road-building would be high.
4. Building two roads (breakwaters) running north and south is a secondary goal compared to other benefits, but still significant.
5. The new roads would reduce the driving distance across the lake to about three or four miles, instead of the 32-mile trip around the shoreline.
6. The roads would serve as breakwaters, cutting down on erosion and danger from sudden storms.
7. In winter, these roadways or breakwaters would help break up ice and protect fish from being crushed by large floating slabs.
8. Each 350-foot-wide causeway would serve as a place to deposit the dredged silt, making deepening efforts more efficient.
9. Islands created in the middle of each breakwater, some large enough for swimming areas and cottage development.
10. More shoreline would be available to fishermen by adding new edges along the breakwaters.
11. Leasing cottage sites along each side of the 350-foot roadway could generate state revenue if desired.
12. Vegetation and trees planted on the new roadways and islands would align with broader reforestation efforts.
13. If storms arose, it would be easier for boaters to find nearby shelter with the breakwaters in place.
14. Removing stumps and carp would be simpler with improved lake access.
15. Deepening the lake would encourage a healthier game fish population.
16. Water supply for local manufacturers (and potential new ones) might improve with better circulation.
17. Including bridges and islands could boost navigation and attract more private investment.
18. The deeper lake might support seaplanes and attract aviation-related businesses.
19. Tourism would grow if the lake became a destination for motorists and cross-country travelers.
20. An estimated four million people live within 100 miles, including those in Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Toledo, and Marion. These visitors could bring significant tourism revenue.
21. Building these roads, breakwaters, and islands would create jobs, increase business, and capitalize on nearby highways leading directly to Lake St. Marys from multiple directions.

Key Stakeholders and Community Support

Local support came from the Western Ohio Fish and Game Association and the Lake Welfare Association of Mercer County. A committee of members from both St. Marys and Celina worked on the proposal and traveled to Columbus to seek approval from state officials, including Ohio Governor George White, William H. Reinhart (commonly spelled Rinehart or Reinhart in different sources), Director of the Lake Conservation Department, Theodore Brindle, Director of Public Works, and Congressman Frank L. Kloeb (Piqua Daily Call, March 21, 1934; Evening Leader, March 21, 1934, p. 1). This committee included Senator J. D. Johnson, Stafford Noble, Lawrence McMillin, William Jaspersen, Alton Kellermeyer, George Wiss, David Armstrong, Dr. C. P. Kite, Harold Martin, Ferd Winklejohn, F. D. Swigart, Francis D. Kuckuck, Fred Fisher, and Leo Dwyer.

Governor White instructed Brindle to research engineering costs and investigate possible funding, including federal aid. The plan’s backers hoped federal programs would help with financing. The project had broad appeal because it promised to protect natural resources, add new attractions, and generate income for the state through cottage leases and tourism.

The Role of the Dwyers as Civic Boosters

Leo E. Dwyer was a central figure behind the Grand Lake improvement plan. His entertainment career began in 1906 with a movie theater in Peru, Indiana, where he met his wife, Minnie Luscher, who played piano for silent films (Alig, 2022). The couple managed theaters around the country, including in California, before returning to Ohio.

Eventually, they settled in Columbus, where Leo specialized in repairing movie projectors. His business grew to include branches in Cleveland and Cincinnati. He sold it in 1927 and moved to the Grand Lake area, purchasing a summer cottage in Villa Nova near St. Marys (Evening Leader, January 22, 2022). The Dwyers later moved to Celina and bought the Lake Theater, Lakona Theater (later the Ohio Theater), and Fayette Theater (Alig, 2022).

From there, Leo became involved in civic projects that would spur economic development, and he believed Grand Lake could become a leading recreational spot in the country (Coldwater Chronicle, March 23, 1934). When Leo died unexpectedly in 1947 (Mercer County Chronicle, March 28, 1947), Minnie carried on his work, including completing construction of the new Celina Theater with architects John and Drew Eberson. She also opened the Lake Drive-In Theatre and supported projects like the Dwyer-Mercer County District Library and the Western Ohio branch of Wright State University (Mercer County Chronicle, July 27, 1972; Alig, 2022). The Dwyers’ investments and leadership in Celina reflected their belief in Grand Lake’s potential for economic and cultural growth.

Potential Funding and Economic Impact

Financing was one of the plan’s main considerations. State officials and the local committee explored options for federal aid, a common approach during the Great Depression. The estimated cost of $750,000 reflected the extensive dredging, land creation, and roadway construction needed (Evening Leader, March 21, 1934, p. 1). The rationale for investing in Grand Lake’s infrastructure was to attract visitors from surrounding cities, invigorate the local economy, and create long-term stability through tourism, fishing, and increased business ventures.

Many supporters felt the improvements would also protect and enhance a natural resource that served as a regional landmark. Better water quality, safer boating, and well-planned development were expected to create jobs during construction and in the resulting tourism sector.

Public Engagement and Promotion

Community leaders recognized the importance of public support. A detailed drawing of the proposed improvements, supervised by Dwyer and drawn by architect Robert Ayers, was displayed in The Citizens Bank window in Celina (Coldwater Chronicle, March 23, 1934). The Evening Leader also noted that a map of the proposed roads appeared in a public forum, showcasing how the roads would intersect with existing highways and how new islands could be placed (Evening Leader, March 27, 1934, p. 3).

One historical rendering of the plan hung in the Celina Theater’s hallway outside the projection room for many years. It served as a reminder of the Dwyers’ deep involvement in both the theater business and their vision for improving Grand Lake. Although renovations may have removed it, that image symbolized how closely the community’s entertainment scene and lake development plans were tied together.

Broader Context and Relevance

The Grand Lake improvement proposal emerged when America was in the midst of the Depression, and local efforts to grow jobs and infrastructure received strong interest at the state and federal levels. This was an era when public works could transform entire regions and instill hope in struggling communities. The plan reflected a forward-thinking approach: deepen the lake, build breakwaters, and create new roads to attract visitors and revenue.

It also connected to a larger strategy of preserving significant natural and historical resources. Since part of the lake property was gifted by the federal government with the expectation that it would remain a recreation area, the community’s goal was to honor that commitment. Promoting tourism, cleaning up the lake, and securing funds for massive construction all fit into national conversations about using public lands and supporting local economies.

Conclusion

The 1934 Grand Lake improvement proposal was an ambitious blueprint for turning an already popular spot into a major destination. Deepening the lake, building two 350-foot-wide breakwaters, constructing roadways over them, and creating artificial islands captured the imagination of many civic leaders who saw this as a chance to elevate the region’s fortunes. Despite the support of influential figures, the plan never reached completion. The breakwaters and their roadways remained on the drawing board.

Even so, the vision highlighted the community’s willingness to think big during a difficult economic period. The Dwyer family’s continued contributions to Celina, including theaters, libraries, and other civic projects, left a visible mark on the area’s cultural and economic landscape. Their leadership and dedication remind us that local innovation, combined with broader government support, can shape how communities evolve.

Works Cited

Alig, Joyce L. “Our Old Bookcase.” Evening Leader (St. Marys, OH), 22 Jan. 2022, p. A4.
“IMPROVEMENT AT RESERVOIR O. K.” The Piqua Daily Call, 21 Mar. 1934, p. 2.
“Plans For Improving Grand Lake Being Given Consideration By State Authorities Who Are Reported to Favor Same.” The Coldwater Chronicle, 23 Mar. 1934, p. 1.
“LAST RITES FOR LEO E. DWYER HELD MONDAY.” Mercer County Chronicle (Coldwater, OH), 28 Mar. 1947, p. 1. Obituary.
“MINNIE DWYER.” Mercer County Chronicle (Coldwater, OH), 27 July 1972, p. 2. Obituary.
“ROADWAYS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED AT LAKE ST. MARYS.” The Evening Leader, 21 Mar. 1934, p. 1.
“MAP OF PROPOSED ROADS ACROSS LAKE ST. MARYS.” The Evening Leader, 27 Mar. 1934, p. 3.