[3] As seen in the 1872 Bird's Eye View of Charleston, the northwest corner of Colonial Lake originally was land that was possible to develop with a few houses.

In 1882, the Commissioners of the Public Common decided to formalize the popular site by installing concrete walls and walks around it with a park on the north side.

[7] "Gala Week" used to be held in the fall of the year, with a fireworks display on the west side of the Pond,[8] which was then an undeveloped area.

[9] Boats were a popular feature of Colonial Lake, and the city even began requiring licenses for them to maintain order on the pond in 1910.

[10] Starting that same year, a series of boat and "tub" races were staged in the lake for local boys with money awarded to the winners.

[14] In 1910, palmetto trees were planted along Ashley Ave. and more extensive landscaping was carried out, but officials again noted that vandalism by children playing in the area was causing problems.

Its plans would have narrowed adjacent Rutledge Ave. by nine feet (to the same width as nearby streets) and installed a more formal landscape around the lake.