Fyre Lake History
In the Beginning...
It would have been hard to imagine over 30 years ago that some rolling pasture land
in Mercer County, Illinois, would become a thriving private lake community - Fyre
Lake. It all began when an area farmer, Glen Tomlinson, decided to turn 40 acres
of his land into a lake and sell approximately 195 acres around it. His search for
someone interested in buying a lake and some surrounding property brought him together
with developer, Kenneth Hansen, doing business as Valhalla Enterprises.
Ken's vision of the lake development was much, much larger, and in 1969 construction
was underway. Hansen's 800+ acre development would constitute not one, but three
lakes, a swimming beach, covered bridge park, tennis courts and other amenities.
It was reported that when Ken's wife, Nancy, saw a picture of the lake on paper,
she thought that it looked like a big fire and in keeping with the Hansen's Norwegian
heritage, it was decided to use the Norwegian spelling of "fire", which is "fyre".
Therefore, the main lake and the entire development became Fyre Lake. The Norwegian
theme carried through in some of the additions and streets as well with names like
Fjord View and Valhalla Court. The two smaller lakes were named for the Hansen children,
Karl and Renee.
For many years different houses in Fyre Lake were used for the developer's office.
When he decided that a more permanent office was needed, Ken set out to build an
authentic Viking Ship. Plans were obtained from the University of Oslo in Norway.
The ship was built to sit on two concrete cradles which held the base of wood beams
that formed its ribbing, with the entire structure situated in a small pond so as
to appear to be afloat.
The exterior of the ship featured large black, silver and gold shields on both sides,
mounted where the oarsmen would have been stationed. A man named Waldemar Arnholtz
carved the head of a dragon that was mounted on the bow and the dragon's tail located
on the stern. Neither the shields nor the carvings remain on the ship today. The
Viking Ship was christened the "Saga" at a dedication ceremony held in May of 1976,
with many state and local dignitaries in attendance.
For many years few people knew what Fyre Lake was or where it was. Early newspaper
ads read, "Discover the life worth living. Build your next home in the lake country..."
With much of the development yet to be completed, severe economic recession in the
area during the 1980's made it necessary for developer, Ken Hansen, to move on.
However, in the ensuing years the Fyre Lake community has continued to develop and
grow under the leadership of the Property Owners' Association, Fyre Lake Association,
Inc.
Now, more than 30 years since it all began, more than 255 families call Fyre Lake
their home, and approximately 60 lot owners enjoy the many amenities such as boating,
swimming, fishing and water skiing that this unique development offers. It is aptly
called a "year 'round vacation lifestyle".
With 2007 exciting new changes began with Fyre Lake Ventures' development underway
on the west side of Fyre Lake for "Fyre Lake National Golf Club", an 18-hole Nicklaus
design golf course, and residential lots.