Comment: This is the third and final "lodge" on the modern "Suffolk Club" site.

In the early 1920's, Anson W. Hard bought the outstanding shares of the Suffolk Club from the remaining members as a personal hunting lodge for himself and close friends. The estate was known as "Fire Place." The old club house was razed, and a modern residence built using timbers of the lodge before it. Anson died in 1935, and his wife Florence and the six children inherited the lodge and estate.

In 1936, the Anson Hard residence was destroyed by fire.

In 1937 this building was erected, and became the principal family residence.

After WW II, when son Kenneth Hard returned from the war, the family turned the estate over to him. Under Kenneth's tutelage, it became a public sportsman's club known as the Suffolk Lodge Game Preserve, having deer, duck and pheasant on the property, some of which were raised on the property itself.

The land was eventually sold to Suffolk County for $2,500,000 and became the county's first public park. The house itself stayed a private residence for a while and an attempt was made to make it a bed and breakfast; but it too eventually was sold to the county where it became the County's Park Police headquarters.

Comment: The Suffolk Club was originally formed by Daniel Webster, Martin Van Buren and others about 1827 on land first leased, then purchased from the Carman family. It was said to have been reorganized by August Belmont in 1858 as an exclusive sportsman's club; however, recent research suggests that August Belmont may have had only limited association with the organization—there is no contemporary evidence that he was a member, although there is evidence that he fished there (perhaps as a guest). Club membership was limited to 15. Each member had privated rooms in the club house, which were individually furnished to the member's taste. The "cellar" was said to be very fine, and the kitchen was said to have been superb. Women were not allowed in the club house, although some members built residences nearby for the convenience of their families, who were said to have use of the grounds.

About 1920, then member Anson W. Hard purchased the outstanding shares in the club from other members, and used the property as a private estate. After WW I, Anson's son Kenneth established a hunting and fishing lodge, known as the Suffolk Lodge Game Preserve. It later became the first Suffolk County public park.

This structure was the Suffolk Club house at the time Anson Hard became the sole owner. He had this building razed, and from the timbers and lumber, had a family residence built. Pictures of that structure are not extant.

Comment: When Anson Hard purchased the Suffolk Club from the remaining shareholders, the large Suffolk Club Lodge was razed, and a smaller family residence built, using timbers and lumber from the original club house

That residence burned in 1936, and was replace by this present structure which was used by the Hard's as their residence and game preserve lodge until the property was purchased by Suffolk County. It is now the headquarters of the Suffolk County Park police.

Comment: An advertisement for the Hard Suffolk Lodge Game Preserve at South Haven.

Comment: This postcard of the Carman's Lake is postmarked 1910. It could just as well be of the South Haven County Park lake taken today.

It was probably taken from near the original mill dam (before the construction of Sunrise Highway), looking north. The little promontory may be still there -- as well as the ducks.