Article about Goguac Lake, including line drawing map. Caption on front: Goguac Lake was glacier formed 15 thousand years ago. It covers acres of area, is one mile long and reaches a depth of 70 feet. Goguac is a modern spelling for the Chippewa Indian work Coghwagiak which means rolling country side. Indians seldom gave names to bodies of water and it is believed that the surrounding prairie first got the name Goguac, which was later applied to the lake during the mid 19th century. A century ago Goguac Lake had a reputation not only for beauty but for cleanliness, purity and a sandy bottom. Water from the lake first "rushed through the water mains" as public water for the growing city of Battle Creek on August 8, 1887. The Goguac Boat Club was formed in 1873 and in 1878 built a two-story boat house on the north shore of the lake. In the 1890's Fred and Ed Parker purchased the land and built a restaurant and retail ice cream outlet and finally a picnic pavilion. Today the Waterfront is located about 75 feet east of that picnic pavillion on what was once known as Parker's Hill. The pavilion's concrete footing can still be found on the bank directly west of our parking lot. Goguac Lake has been used for recreation activities since shortly after the Civil War. One hundred years ago there were many summer cottages on the Lake, but if (if any) homes. Liberty Park, a large amusement center was located near here. Steam powered ferry boats, provided tours of the lake for many years; the most notable being the "Pearl" built by Riley Schafer in 1887 and operated by him until 1927. Today, those summer cottages have been replaced with homes, many of which are among the finest in Battle Creek. The Lake is still used as a famiy recreational facility with boating, sailing, waterskiing, swimming and fishing being enjoyed by many area residents. 1987 marked the 60th anniversary of the Roy Sparks Memorial Marathon Lake Swim which begins on the south shore of the Lake and finishes directly in front of the Waterfront.