In the 1800s, this area was very rural and supported numerous family farms. Several farmettes remain South of the lake on County Road P and Turtle Lake Road, West of the lake off County Road A, along North County Road P and East of the lake on County Road A.  Around 1887, a large farm owned by William A. Erwin was located on the Eastern shore at the current site of the Turtle Lake Tap and Grill.

     Mr. Erwin previously owned a popular resort on Delavan Lake. His patrons from the Chicago area pursued him, wanting to vacation on his farm along beautiful Turtle Lake so he accommodated their wishes. He eventually sold the property to the Anderson family who established it as the Lakeside Farm Resort. Today, this property is home to the Turtle Lake Tap and Grill that offers an amazing clean public beach and “a sunset destination with great food and great company.”

       Fast forward to the 1940s when Louis and Evelyn McIntyre established McIntyre’s bait shop and resort on the Southeastern shore of Turtle Lake.  Their daughter, Ms. Pat McIntyre, still operates the resort and offers two private rental cabins, open green space for tent camping and row boat rentals.

       On the Northern shore, Turtle Lake also offers Snug Lake Harbor Lakefront Campground Pub & Restaurant on the Northern shore.  The clean, spacious campground offers tent, RV and seasonal trailer sites.  Offering a sandy beach for playing and swimming, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner with picturesque views of the lake.