Scenic White Rock Lake Park: Gone But Not Forgotten

There are several White Rock features that no longer exist except in people's memories. Some, like the so-called "Pea Patch" and the beloved Bonnie Barge are legendary. Others are lesser known. Learn all about them here.

The White Rock Lake Museum The White Rock Lake Museum, which opened in 2004 in the Bath House Cultural Center, was a popular lakeside fixture until the Dallas' Cultural Affairs Office angered the community by summarilty removing it in 2023. Read more...	The Pea Patch The "Pea Patch" was a city-run prison farm where non-violent offenders could work off their fines at 50 cents per day. Read more...	The Bonnie Barge In 1946 speedboat concessionaire Johnny Williams launched the Bonnie Barge, named for his wife. Read more...
Camp White Rock In 1935 the Civilian Conservation Corps opened a camp at White Rock Lake Park. During and after WWII it housed Army Air Corp inductees, German P.O.W.s, and SMU students. Read more...	Spillway Catwalk For years it was possible to walk from Garland Road all the way to the dam. Read more...	Fishing Shacks Until the end of WWII, hundreds of Dallasites had private use of lakefront property for pennies a day. Read more...
T&P Clubhouse Built in 1925, this private facility gave its name to the hill on which it sat. Read more...	Dance Pavilion During the summer of 1934 this popular facility featured an all-girl band. Read more...	White Rock Beach For twenty-two years Dallasites flocked to the shores of White Rock Lake to enjoy a swim. Read more...
Powerboat Races It's hard to believe that powerboats once shared the lake with the sailing crowd. Read more...	Dixon Bay Foot Bridge At one time, it was possible to walk across this bridge from the Sunset Inn to Dreyfuss Point. Read more...