Show Palisade Alias Funks Funk's Lake 1 BY ANN C. C HORNUNG The following Is an InterestIng Interesting interesting Interest Interest- ing story of early Sanpete pioneer pio plo pioneer I neer days as related to me by Mr Merritt Bradley of Ephraim Ephraim Eph Eph- I i raim with some additional in information information in- in I formation from old- old I time residents of Manti ManU I We are privileged to live I I I where early history was made H dy and courageous pioneers have trod on the very places where we walk today They contributed so much to the progress progress progress pro pro- gress of our great state and country This fascinating story is I about Funks Funk's Lake I find after I talking with many children and adults they like me know very little if anything about the history history his his- tory of the lake which we now know as Palisade Park i Mr Dir Bradleys Bradley's grand great grand I father Daniel Buckley Funk i i was one of the early pioneers of Sanpete He was ingenious Industrious and had a great eye for the future He that the site of what was to be Funks Funk's Lake was a natural water basin without an outlet He went to Chief of the tribe of Indians and offered to buy the land which had been an old Indian I campground The chief asked I I what the white man wanted with that piece of dry barren land Mr Funk replied that it was a natural place e for a lake with I high banks and a stream close I the Indian laughed and s said I the Indian and said White man make water run I up hill hill hill- Soon the deal was completed I and the land was transferred to Mr Funk In exchange for three ponies That was 95 years ago In 1873 With the help of some of the other pioneers Mr Funk soon started to build a ditch part of which was flume lume from the nearby creek In a short time the lake was full of water The original Idea was to impound the water for recreational purI purposes purposes pur pur- I poses including the culture of fish Soon several bath houses were built on the shore Also a afew afew afew few houses were constructed for tor those who enjoyed living on the hill hUl with a beautiful view of the lake Then about seedling trees were planted along the shoreline Some of these still sUll stand today TI u D Before long many people ii Salt Lake discovered this lovely recreation spot and came by railroad to spend weekends there A little later a small steamboat capable of carrying from 12 to 15 passengers was put on the lake This was a great thrill for children and adults alike who enjoyed boat boat- ing But one afternoon tragedy struck A fierce storm came up very suddenly with a ve very r y strong wind that created huge waves At one moment the frightened passengers all rushed rushed rushed rush rush- ed to one side of the boat and just then it was hit by bya byI a large wave and capsized Eleven passengers were drowned drown drown- ed and only two were saved This was to be the greatest tragedy ever to occur at Funks Funk's Lake There see seems ms to be a difference difference dif dlf- ference of opinion as to what happened to the steamboat Some say it was burned at the Shoreline some years later an and I they re remember member me se seeing the burned burned burned burn burn- ed hulk there Others say It was taken up north some place in in- in tact We are told that the name was changed from Funks Funk's Lake I to Palisade Park about 1929 I It was then acquired by Stanley Stanley Stanley Stan Stan- ley Jorgenson of Manti ManU and he built an open-air open wooden dance floor That was finally burned down Later on two Manti Mantl couples built a concrete platform 60 feet by feet to replace the wooden dance floor loor Through many years this was the meeting meeting meeting meet meet- I ing place for romantic couples 1 I and all who liked to to dance I under the stars i Finally Palisade Park was I II I purchased by the ManU Mantl Irrigation Irrl- Irrl I j i gallon gation Co and combined with I City Creek Now what was once i Funks Funk's Lake helps furnish water I to irrigate our fields and gar gar- i dens However we can still sUll picnic fish and enjoy the beautiful beautiful beautiful beau beau- scenery of Palisade which is now a state park parr Let us not forget what the I pioneer fathers have given usand us usand usand I and try to keep these beautiful beautiful ful spots clean and lovely for I all to enjoy |