History

A Brief History of The Lakeview Club & Folly Quarter

Address Marker

The Lakeview Club is located in one of Reisterstown's oldest neighborhoods - the lands of Folly Quarter. Situated on a hilly peninsula surrounded on three sides by Liberty Reservoir, the Lakeview Club sits adjacent to the Manor House. Old records show that the present-day Deer Park Road was called that name as far back as 1792 - and that from 1729 to 1746 it was referred to as "The Great Road." The Manor House at Folly Quarter, now a private residence, dates in part from the early 1700's.

An often-told story is that one of its early owners rode the long journey of several days to Virginia only to return a few weeks later to find that the local Native Americans had attacked and killed his entire family. The original Fortress that the owners used in defense of these regular attacks still stands adjacent to the manor house and is well preserved. It is believed to have been built in 1650.

Folly Farms began to be developed in the 1950s. The 5-acre parcel on which the Club sits was set aside for the use of the immediate neighborhood. The clubhouse was originally a stable for the manor. It is believed that it was quite lovely inside with wooden floors and had been furnished very nicely. In the late 1950s, a handful of neighbors began to gather to use the pool and clubhouse. In 1962, Lakeview Club, Inc. was officially incorporated. At that time there were only 6 or 7 families involved. Simi Forsyth and family moved into the community in 1956 and became founding Club members. In the early days, Simi was responsible for recruitment and arranging parties. Simi remains a very active club member and is our longest standing member. The second longest standing member is Betty Pulse, Linda Koch’s mom. The first lifeguards hired were teachers from McDonogh School seeking part time work during their summer break.

In the early days, the Club had an office, a standalone little white house, consisting of one room which was situated at the back of Simi’s property. Eventually, the structure was physically moved to sit near the graveyard.

The Club has always been a membership nonprofit organization directed by a Board of Directors and funded mainly by membership dues. The number of member households has waxed and waned over the past 62 years mostly on the lower side. Surprisingly, the COVID 19 years resulted in our highest ever number of 58 households.

During a few of our leaner years, the pool didn’t open. Many years there were too few members willing to volunteer and leadership and tasks fell on the shoulders of a small handful of folks. In retrospect, we are so fortunate in recent years to have more volunteers than ever before who graciously cut the lawns, repair the clubhouse, pool and tennis court, fund raise, handle rentals, serve on the board, plant flowers, host happy hours, work on parties, clean the clubhouse, keep the books and handle banking, do Spring cleaning, fill and empty the pool, etc., etc., etc. Thank you to one and all for making the Club not only possible but a real boon to its members!