Tradition says if you walk three times around Lake LaVerne with your beloved, the two of you are destined to be together. Fittingly, the lake itself was born from a love story: LaVerne Noyes, a member of the first graduating class of 1872, gifted the lake as a show of devotion to his alma mater.
After graduation, Noyes invented a series of farm implements before establishing the Aermotor Windmill Company in Chicago. When the business became a global success, he wanted to give back to the school that gave him his start.
In 1914, Noyes helped develop a vision to beautify the south end of campus. With a substantial donation, he hired Chicago landscape architect O.C. Simonds, who designed a lake in what was then a marsh area fed by College Creek, creating a park-like setting and a grand southern entrance to the college. The lake was dedicated in 1916, when the official name of Lake LaVerne was also adopted.
While some seek out the spot for romance or solace, it’s also been a place for entertainment. In the 1930s, the lake sported a regulation-size hockey rink. It was also home to the popular canoe-racing tradition during VEISHEA; at the 1935 event, a swan-shaped float opened to reveal its passengers: four swans, two of whom would be named Lancelot and Elaine. The lake hosted generations of swan pairs until 2022, when heavy algae growth made it unsuitable for replacing the retiring pair.
The 110th anniversary of the dedication of Lake LaVerne in 2026 marks the perfect time to show it some love once again. Following results of a survey, plans have been made to drain and dredge Lake LaVerne this summer, reshape and stabilize the shoreline, and create space for more seating. The restoration promises to return the beloved lake to the token of affection Noyes intended, making it swoon-worthy — and swan-worthy — once more.
