Off East Echo Lake road, next to the Lake Seymour outlet, lies a business called the White Birch Lodge. Most people living around the lake are aware of it and have even walked by it on a daily basis, but have you ever wondered how this century old Mom and Pop got its start?
The location, known today for recreation and leisure, was the brain child of AC and Elizabeth Gallup. This Charleston, Vermont couple purchased the land from JS Sweeney on July 18, 1919.
In 1921, these two visionaries founded a popular retreat they called “Echo Camps”. Word spread quickly about their new lodging and the lake’s outstanding fishing. High demand immediately ensued. This development encouraged AC to add more cottages in 1922 and 1926. By 1931, landing a four-pound Laker became a common occurrence and demand for accommodations rose to levels that forced many hopeful guests to be turned away.
After a fantastic 15-year run, the Gallup’s sold their highly successful business to George Donovan in 1936. But before heading out to their new home in Eustis, Florida, a large farewell reception and party were given to Mr. and Mrs. Gallup by friends to thank the couple for their kindness and hospitality. The couple were so beloved here that the celebration went on for days.
Once George Donovan and his wife Lou of Stowe took over, they changed the resort name to the Donovan’s Echo Lake Club which they ran for 16 years. During their ownership, people from all over the world would vacation there. The Executive Committee of the New England Outdoor Writers would gather at the camp each year as well as renowned writers of fish and game magazines.
George Donovan, a restaurateur by trade, then sold the Echo Lake Club to David K. Patrick of Shelburne in 1953. At the time of purchase, Patrick stated “the fishing camp will be the first in Vermont to have canoe and guide service.” That service would include Echo and the surrounding lakes in the area.
The Echo Lake club was then sold to Elliot and Emelene Stearns of Tarrytown, NY, in 1958. During the time Patrick owned it, he became a federal Fish and Wildlife Service warden and was sent to Alaska. During that period of time David leased the club to 2 men from Maine to run it. By the time David decided to sell it, the cabins and boats had seen better days. Wanting to run a top-notch operation, the Stearns invested in the resort by having the boats repaired and the cabins renovated.
By 1970, Andy Pato had changed the company name to its present-day name- the White Birch Lodge. Today the White Birch Lodge is run by Linda Studer.
Looking back who would have predicted AC and Elizabeth Gallup’s foresight would still be felt around the lake today? Thanks to their imagination, fisherman and vacationers are still enjoying their innovation some 103 years later.
Sources
“Change In Management” The Barre Times, (Barre, VT.) May 6, 1957.
Studer, Linda, Interview, Owner of the White Birch Lodge, (Charleston VT.) November 11, 2022.
Kellogg, Colleen, Interview, Assistant Town Clerk & Treasurer at Town of Charleston, (Charleston VT.) October 3, 2022.
“Echo Camps Opened” Express and Standard, (Newport, VT.) May 8, 1931.
“East Charleston” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT.) September 2, 1926.
Photos courtesy of the Charleston, Vt. Historical Society.
“East Charleston” Caledonia-Record, (St. Johnsbury, VT.) September 21, 1936.
“Holiday Due Restaurateurs” The Times Argus, (Barre, VT.) August 10, 1961.
“Echo Lake Club Under New Management” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT.) April 11, 1958.
“David Patrick Buys Donovan’s Echo Lake Clun” The Burlington Free Press, (Burlington, VT.) August 31, 1953.
“Echo Lake Club Rendezvous For Fisherman” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT.) September 4, 1947.