Purpose of LAHA

The Lake Arlann Homeowners’ Association was formed in the 1950’s to deal with environmental, municipal and other issues affecting the lake and its members, and to present a united voice. It was founded for the PEOPLE, for the common good…to find ways to contribute to the health, pleasure, comfort and security of those living here.

Its Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers, many of whom present and past, have given years of service because they recognize the necessity and value of the Association.

Listing of subdivisions that are part of the Association
Arlann Country Club Subdivision / 1800Court Street
600 Block of West Shore Drive
Arlann Drive
North Shore Drive
Arlann Country Club Ext. #1 / 18th Street
Cape Court
Arlann Country Club Ext. #2 / 1300 & 1400 Blocks of W. Shore
Arlann Country Club Ext. #3 / 1500 W. Shore Drive
Rosewood Subdivision
Beachcomber Place
Mitchell Street
Sausalito Bay
Gingoteague Way / Only houses on the lake
DeJaVu

Lake Arlann’s Rich History

Lake Arlann is one of the state’s largest spring-fed lakes, and is rich in history. It was first used by the Shaubena, a friendly Indian tribe who shared the city of Pekin with the white man as it officially became a city. Later it be became the site of a number of flourishing businesses.

Ice Harvesting

Because Lake Arlann is naturally spring fed, its production of clear ice in the early 1860’s, spawned a major industry. Lake Arlann--known as Bailey’s Lake then—used to be one of the major supply sources for sourthern markets (especially St. Louis) for ice cutting and shipping operations. Both Lake Arlann and Pekin’s Lake Shore were lined with ice houses.

The Grant Brothers Ice House had a switch track leading from the lake to the New York Center (Penn Central today) Railroad. During the height of the season, it is reported that the Grant Company employed as many as 300 men to cut and load ice. As many as five box cars per day were loaded by hand, with the cakes of ice weighing as much as 170 pounds each.

Ice could be stored for as long as two years, through a process whilch involved packing the frozen water in straw and sawdust. When ice was taken from the storage houses for delivery to homes and businesses n the summer months, it had to be sawed and chiseled into 25, 50, or 100 pound cakes. Customers would palce a card in their front window, indicating to the driver how much, if any, ice was needed.

( See attached pictures of ice harvesting)