History
A popular recreational destination during the late 19th century, the lake figured in a tragedy that received notice well outside its rural environs. On May 26, 1882, while on tour with a company organized by Clara Louise Kellogg, the 19-year-old classical pianist Herman Rietzel, already a concert veteran and considered to be well-launched on a promising career, joined George Conly, a bass singer with the company, for a pleasure outing on the lake. Later that day, their rowboat was found capsized; Reitzel's body was not recovered until the following June 7, and Conly's not until a week later still.
A portion of George Carlin's ashes were scattered here in 2008 after his cremation.
Read more about this topic: Spofford Lake
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