History comes alive at Killdeer Point walk

More than a dozen history enthusiasts gathered at Killdeer Point for a walk through local history led by longtime resident Richard Dillenbeck, right.
(photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

Richard Dillenbeck

On Thursday evening, August 21, in China, more than a dozen history enthusiasts gathered at Killdeer Point for a walk through local history led by longtime resident Richard Dillenbeck. The event, sponsored by the China Historical Society, offered attendees a chance to hear the stories behind this historic corner of China Lake, which has been tied to Dillenbeck’s family since the 1920s.

During the tour, Richard Dillenbeck explained how his uncle, Eli Wagner, launched an ambitious project from 1925-1927 by purchasing three adjacent farms, dividing much of the estimated 200-plus acres on both sides of Route 202 into 50-by-150-foot lots when he established the Killdeer Corporation. His vision was to create a lakeside community for city dwellers. To attract buyers, Wagner converted a 19th century barn into Killdeer Lodge, a rustic cedar-log lined hotel plus a dining room perched on a ridge with sweeping views of both basins of China Lake. Guests were brought in by bus from Boston and New York City, provided meals, and taken on property tours.

His plans stalled when the Great Depression struck in 1929. With sales drying up, much of the land eventually reverted to the financing bank and the corporation eventually dissolved. Later, Dillenbeck’s grandfather acquired the property. His parents reopened Killdeer Lodge in the early 1950s. Richard worked as a busboy, remembering the bustle of the dining room and the excitement of visitors. It was closed again in 1957 and it sat unused for many years. The roof collapsed, and in 2018, it was burned in a controlled fire by the fire department. Traces of chimneys and other remnants of both buildings can still be seen in the woods.

The walk wasn’t just about history – it was also about memories. Dillenbeck, five years old at the time, said his father built a family camp in 1940 and he was provided a log, a hammer and a bucket of nails and was told to hammer nails into the log, keeping him out of the way of the builders. On Killdeer Point, the western-most tip of the peninsula, he pointed out a towering pine tree he would climb like a ladder. The estimated 200-year-old tree has survived lightning strikes and an unknown winter visitor, arriving on the frozen lake, who built a fire amidst its giant roots. Before the property was known as Killdeer Point, many called it Lone Pine Point.

The current Killdeer Landowners Association with its 25 owners is legally considered a private community with yearly dues for insurance, liability and maintenance purposes.

The Killdeer Point walk was part of the Historical Society’s summer program series, which earlier this season featured a walk through South China Village and an annual meeting focused on the town’s first settlers. A tour of China Village is planned for next year.

The Historical Society encourages residents to follow their Facebook page for updates on upcoming events and programs. Annual membership is just $10 and supports not only these community events but also the Society’s museum and ongoing preservation efforts. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, the China Historical Society’s programs offer a wonderful chance to connect with your community’s past – and with your neighbors who are keeping those stories alive.

(photo by Eric W. Austin)