On Fourth Lake

Book excerpt: This is the story of the people, places and events that have shaped the shoreline of Lake Mendota, Madison's greatest lake, as we know it today. It is the story of iceboaters, sailors, fishers, hunters, explorers, politicians, entertainers, lifeguards, boat captains, inventors, scientists and Olympians, much of it in their own words. Don Sanford spent over a decade preparing this social history of Lake Mendota. His work assembles the personal experiences of people who lived, worked, and played on the lake with the events that shaped Madison, the Badger State, and the nation.The first book of its type, On Fourth Lake is illustrated with more than 500 maps, newspaper articles, and photographs. Many of the images were sourced from private collections and are exhibited to the public for the very first time. This book is a must-have for anyone who spends time on Lake Mendota or has an interest in local history.