The Lakes are Closing: A Landowner's Ultimatum
After years of public access to private land, a local farmer threatens to ban all visitors due to vandalism and reckless behavior.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The fishermen and picnickers of Kennewick have one chance. If they fail to make good, they are to be barred from the use of one of the most desirable recreation grounds in the Valley. The two lakes above Richland every summer furnish pleasant pastime for many people in this community and in the past the people have been free to come and go, fish and camp as they wished. H. O. Adkins, who is proprietor of the farm upon which the lakes are located, has been a most genial landlord, albeit a long-suffering one as well. He has always been glad to see the people come and has been most generous in accommodating all who came. It is a regrettable fact, however, that some there are who have abused the privileges extended them and have failed, not only to recognize their obligations to Mr. Adkins, but have ignored the demands of common courtesy. Mr. Adkins complains that the visitors leave his gates open, tie their horses to his trees, build fires on his green pasture, and even shoot his stock with .22 rifles and air guns. He has stood this violation of his hospitality for a long time and has at last reached the stage where patience is no longer a virtue. He has requested that the people be notified that unless the lake visitors are more considerate in the future, the gates will be locked and all fishing and camping will be prohibited.
“He has stood this violation of his hospitality for a long time and has at last reached the stage where patience is no longer a virtue.”
This story highlights a classic Pacific Northwest tension: the struggle between public recreation access and private property rights. Just as Adkins fought to protect his land from thoughtless campers in 1917, modern Washington landowners still struggle with access disputes as urban populations continue to push into rural spaces.
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