History of Norway Park at Lake McMurray
About The Lake
Lake McMurray is a 160 acre lake located approximately 9 miles to the Southeast of Mt.Vernon, Washington. The lake is located in the lower Skagit County WRIA 3 (Water Resource Inventory Area). The lake is at the headwaters of Nookachamps Creek tributary of the Skagit River. The average depth of Lake McMurray is 29 feet and there is a maximum reported depth of 52 feet. The area of the watershed draining into the lake is about 3.25 square miles.
In March 1963, a ninety-one acre farm was purchased from the Fifield family.The Fifield farm had a pasture at the lakefront and a large farmhouse with pasture and wooded area on the opposite side of Highway 9. It was deemed to make a perfect site for a recreation area associated with the Lodge. In April 1963, the Leif Erikson Recreation Association (LERA) became the governing body of Norway Park.
Time Line
Empty Date
1963
On March 17, 1963 the committe purchased 91 acre farm from Fifield family.
Empty Date
1964
On July 4, 1964 the dedication of Norway park was held with nearly 200 families attending
Empty Date
1965
First cabin was built on Lot 59 by Per Sorum. By the end of the year, there were 8 cabins built
Empty Date
1966
A dock and sand filled beach was constructed
Empty Date
1967
The dance platform was replaced with an open octagonal shaped picnic shelter (now knows as the Pavilion)
Empty Date
1969
In February of1969 Lake froze completely with 12" of snow cover - a 40 year record!
Empty Date
1970
Kitchen was added to the picnic shelter
Empty Date
1973
The museum was built in the upper park
Empty Date
1974
Odin Plas and The Water Wheel are built
Empty Date
1980
The Pavilion was expanded and enclosed to accommodate dinner and dance parties
Empty Date
1987
LERA acquired 5 acres of the old railroad right of way
Empty Date
1989
Caretaker's residence was re-built. The existing building was donated to fire department.
Empty Date
1998
The dock was completely re-built
Empty Date
2000
A whole-lake treatment was performed to control the Eurasian Milfoil. It completely eradicated the noxious weed from the lake dramatically improving its health.
Empty Date
2000
All RV hookups were re-built
Empty Date
2022
The road improvement project was completed in lower park.
Empty Date
1963
On March 17, 1963 the committe purchased 91 acre farm from Fifield family.
Empty Date
1964
On July 4, 1964 the dedication of Norway park was held with nearly 200 families attending
Empty Date
1965
First cabin was built on Lot 59 by Per Sorum. By the end of the year, there were 8 cabins built
Empty Date
1966
A dock and sand filled beach was constructed
Empty Date
1967
The dance platform was replaced with an open octagonal shaped picnic shelter (now knows as the Pavilion)
Empty Date
1969
In February of1969 Lake froze completely with 12" of snow cover - a 40 year record!
Empty Date
1970
Kitchen was added to the picnic shelter
Empty Date
1973
The museum was built in the upper park
Empty Date
1974
Odin Plas and The Water Wheel are built
Empty Date
1980
The Pavilion was expanded and enclosed to accommodate dinner and dance parties
Empty Date
1987
LERA acquired 5 acres of the old railroad right of way
Empty Date
1989
Caretaker's residence was re-built. The existing building was donated to fire department.
Empty Date
1998
The dock was completely re-built
Empty Date
2000
A whole-lake treatment was performed to control the Eurasian Milfoil. It completely eradicated the noxious weed from the lake dramatically improving its health.
Empty Date
2000
All RV hookups were re-built
Empty Date
2022
The road improvement project was completed in lower park.
