The Whiskey Point Bootlegger’s Ball to Salute Dam Construction Workers
The South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce a partnership agreement with the Bendel Family, who have been the owners of record for the historic Whiskey Point for over four generations. Known today as Hinds Point, Ray H. Siegfried purchased the property shortly after the last gate was closed in the Pensacola Dam in 1940. Whiskey Point played a significant role in the construction of the dam.
While the accounts of the building of the dam covers a wide variety of topics, some additional old tales of days gone by have surfaced regarding the construction of the dam during the prohibition years in the great state of Oklahoma. As it turns out, distilled spirits served a significant role in keeping thousands of dam workers in the right state-of-mind and focused on the work at hand.
The living conditions, which some historians have described as being a tent city providing limited protection from the elements for workers during their off hours during the 24 hour-a-day project, were deplorable at best. Apparently distilled spirits were not available legally and some of the more creative workers, most likely future Grand Lakers, set out to solve the problem. A nearby location was chosen to establish a still operation, which reportedly was referred to as “Whiskey Point.”
Whiskey Point was but a short hike from Disney and was a densely wooded area which provided a perfect hiding place for the workers to perform their distillery operation. While the setting was apparently rough and the barkeep, perhaps a Siegfried or Bendel by name, even tougher, the first Grand Lake drinking location of record, provided a secret location for workers to unwind. It has been speculated they perhaps even engaged in an illegal gambling game or two and who knows, there could have even been ladies of the night on hand to provide companionship. The location of that pre-Grand Lake party spot is known today as Hinds Point.
Seventy-six years ago those workers were not only sipping their moonshine on Whiskey Point, they were rapidly closing in on the completion of the historic Pensacola Dam. In recognition of their contribution to the Grand Lake we enjoy today, the South Grand Lake Area Chamber is dedicating their annual season launching event as a salute to a truly remarkable feat. The Whiskey Point Bootlegger’s Ball, A Speakeasy Soirée, is set for April 2, 2016 at Cherokee Yacht Club. While the location of the salute will be complete with all the modern day yacht club amenities, the operation will be hosted in a 1930’s setting, when drinking establishments were definitely found behind closed doors and subject to police raids from time-to-time.
Grandshine will be a popular drink
Games of chance will be a blast
Art & June Box have been canned in the jail.
Even the Governor, Mary Fallin, and the first gentleman joined in the fun and are pictured with Chuck & Victoria Perry.
The Bendel Family, and the Siegrieds in years gone by, has always embraced the traditions which have made Grand Lake such a special place. Long after the construction workers had abandoned Whiskey Point, the family put on a huge fireworks show annually, which some claim was the forerunner to the big Duck Creek Show viewed by thousands annually.
Fourth generation Laker, Dave Bendel says, “We were Grand Lakers before being Grand Lakers was trendy and cool!
He added, “It’s always been in the fiber of our family events and has always been a mainstay in offering bonding opportunities which many can only dream of. To have an opportunity to be part of the salute to those who made it all possible is truly special. We can’t wait to raise our glasses in a salute those who made this all possible.”
Some will say the high point of the event evening will be a review of the shenanigans, which reportedly took place on Whiskey Point, by Dave Bendel, and the introduction of “Bendel Bender Grand Shine” to commemorate the work effort on the project.
Other activities will be a silent auction featuring Dam Site memorabilia and other items donated by the Grand Lake business community. Early plans, but more will be announced, include a live auction, a full jazz swing band, games of chance from Casino Night of Tulsa, a jail house photo booth with props, great appetizers provided by Cherokee Yacht Club and more. That is until the party gets busted by the fuzz.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased now at GrandLakeAreaChamber.org or call 918-782-3214 and get the password. The ball will begin at 6:30 PM at Cherokee Yacht Club, 33152 Browning Lane, Cleora, OK.
The post SGL Chamber Partners with the Bendel Family & Whiskey Point & in presenting the 2016 Bootlegger’s Ball appeared first on Grand Lake Business Journal.com.