VISIT THE BLACK RIVER

Maggie O'Brien's Restaurant & Irish Pub

2012-01-04T15:33:00.000-06:00

Mark the calender now for Saturday February 11th, 2012, this is the date for the Halfway to Black River Lodge party.

Maggie O'Brien's Restaurant & Irish Pub
2000 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103
(314) 421-1388

message from Susan:

Hey everyone it is that time of year ALREADY! Happy new year to all. The BRL half way party is Saturday, February 11th. The band is Keica Davis and 2.0 so if you were at the party first year you know they are a GREAT band. Also as you know Marianne and Pat Mcvey put on quite a party and go out of their way to make it special. I hope everyone can make it. Get your babysitters and hotels now!! We all hope to see you. We also will have a drawing for free weekend (in dec.) Just kidding.

In Memory of Tom Klinghammer

2011-12-29T16:39:00.003-06:00

Rest In Peace "Tommy Boy"
8/14/1951-12/28/2011
You will always be in my heart. You brought so much joy and laughter to all of us and we will cherish the memories forever.

Tom was the loving husband of Jane Klinghammer (nee: Plackemeier); beloved son of the late Orval and Albertine Klinghammer; devoted father of Jenna (Matt) Hodges, Lacey Klinghammer, and Elesha Klinghammer. He was also a loving uncle and dear friend to many.

Thomas N. Klinghammer Obit Baue Funeral Home

In Memory of Gary Naggi

2011-07-27T13:41:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, July 24, 2011 we lost another friend of Black River Lodge, Gary Naggi. Our prayers go out to his wife Debbie and sons Joseph and Andrew. May he rest in peace.

Services: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Thursday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.

Joseph Gary Naggi Obit

In Memory of Chet Robinette

2010-10-05T10:50:00.005-05:00

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Robinette family, his wife of 55 years Genny, daughter Lori O'Toole and sons David and Steve, and grandchildren Paul and Liz Robinette and Ryan and Bridget O'Toole. Chet was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was special to all of us at Black River Lodge and will always be remembered.

Chester Warren Robinette, known as "Chet" to his family and friends, age 89 of Creve Coeur, Mo., Fortified with the Sacrament of Holy Mother Church on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

Celebration of his life will be from 4-8pm at Baumann Colonial Chapel

In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Friend Pete Kubatzky

2009-03-10T10:46:00.008-05:00

Sadly we lost a dear friend of Black River Lodge, Pete Kubatzky. Pete will be deeply missed by his family and all his friends at Black River Lodge. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pat, daughters Laurie and Sharon, and son Tim in their time of grief. Memories of the laughter and fun times at Black River Lodge will never be forgotten, especially the hilarious skit called "Tomaters" that Pete and Pat performed at the talent show.
Visitation will is Thursday, March 12th, at Stygar in Florissant from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.

In Loving Memory

2007-08-19T17:08:00.000-05:00

In Memory of Clare Rieser
Clare passed away on Friday Aug. 17, 2007, at the age of 95. We received the news Saturday afternoon while at the lodge. Clare was Jane Kilo's mother and grandmother to Mike and Tom Kilo, and loved by all. I will always remember Clare playing the piano at the talent show with Jane singing by her side. She was a very talented lady and will be greatly missed.

In Memory of Ed Zurweller
On a sad note - January 29th, we lost a Black River Lodge friend, Ed Zurweller. Our sympathies to his wife Becky and daughter Jennifer and also to Kris and Zac and the rest of the family. The loss of a BRL friend is a loss to all of us in our week. Ed "Uncle Bud" will be missed but never forgotten by his family and BRL.

PLEASE VISIT ED'S MEMORIAL PAGE.

Black River Lodge 60th Anniversary

2006-03-06T10:04:00.000-06:00

Black River Lodge celebrates its 60th year anniversary this year. I know I speak for everyone that goes there when I say that it has brought joy and a lot of fun to our lives every year. A lot of hard work and effort is put in by the Ries family to make our week very special, it is "the perfect family vacation". The river is a big attraction, but there is much more to vacationing at Black River Lodge, it isn't just about the river. I can't imagine a summer without Black River Lodge. We count down the days till we go every year and the closer we get to our reservation time, the more excited we become. I love the Black River and I am saddened by the breach of the Taum Sauk reservoir and what it has done to the river and the surrounding area. Regardless, we are loyal patrons of Black River Lodge and the establishments in the surrounding area and I expect that everyone will come this year just as we have in the past. Hopefully the river will return to its clear cyrstal like condition soon. What would the week be without visiting Peola Valley Pottery, Lenny's, S & J or the Black River Ice Cream Parlor? (just to mention a few) As the sign says when you enter the lodge "Your Gonna To Like It Here!" and we do!

Enjoying the Beauty of The Black River

2005-09-27T13:52:00.003-05:00

The crystal clear Black River features some of the most beautiful scenery in Missouri.

Rivers can be one of the most beautiful and enjoyable places to visit. The Black River is my favorite, it is one of the clearest of the spring-fed Ozark rivers, located in southern Missouri. It is enjoyable to float and relaxing to be surrounded by the sounds of nature and the flowing water. Because the water is so clear you can view the rocks on the bottom and the fish swimming as you float. The Black River has enough feeder springs to produce some good smallmouth bass fishing.

Canoeing and rafting is very popular in Missouri. The three forks of the Black River rise virtually within the shadow of the highest point in the state, Taum Sauk Mountain, and join near Lesterville to flow quickly toward the lowest section of the state. It almost feels magical, the scenery is always changing, the colors are beautiful and in the background is the view of mountains, you may even find a cave along the way.

When floating on any river, don't forget to take along a trash bag, we need to keep our streams and rivers clean. Be respectful when you pull over to a bank or beach area, remember the beach you are on could be a part of private property.

THE BLACK RIVER BRIDGE 1917-2004

The bridge over the Black River on Peola Road was a landmark and I hated to see it demolished. It was built in 1917 and closed on June 15, 2004 with the opening of a new bridge. The Black River Bridge was eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but was demolished because it was structurally deficient.

The Laws of Nature

2005-09-13T15:55:00.000-05:00

"By the law of nature these things are common to all mankind, the air, running water, the sea and consequently the shores of the sea." (Institutes of Justinian)

The Public Trust Doctrine

And

Ownership of Land along a River

My husband and I have enjoyed canoeing and rafting on several rivers in Missouri for over 30 years. Our favorite vacation spot located in the Ozark Mountains near Lesterville, Mo. is Black River Lodge, sitting with many acres on the Black River with a great beach. Black River Lodge has been known by many as a great family vacation for many years.

There is a lot I could say about the wonderful times we have enjoyed staying at the lodge, but what I am writing about pertains more to a discovery I made this summer in August 2005. I was unaware of the rights (or no rights) of property owners on rivers. This would include a farmer that has land on both sides of a river, or, in this case, the Lodge that has property along the river of which they pay taxes on. Because of the Public Trust Doctrine, property owners do not have any rights on the land that they own along any river. Public rights to rivers are a matter of law that dates back to the founding of our nation. A land owner may own property on a river, but the river and it's banks are public. On all navigable rivers, in any state, the riverbed and the banks, up to the ordinary high water mark, are state land held in trust for the public for navigation and fishing or recreation. The government agencies can prohibit activities such as leaving trash, tearing up beds or banks and they must prevent the discharge of sewage and pollution into rivers and prevent toxins and livestock dung from washing into rivers.

During our stay at Black River Lodge, one of the things we enjoy is floating and fishing on the river. We only float during the weekdays, because on Saturday's and Sunday's the river is crowded with canoes and rafters. As I said earlier, I also have enjoyed canoeing on several rivers, and I am not trying to prevent anyone else from this activity or from fishing in the river. But, when Saturday comes, instead of floating we would settle for just going to the beach to hang out and watch the canoe's going by. Problems started to occur when canoers with drunken behavior, swearing and sometimes obscene, dumping their trash, would want to stop on what we considered our beach. There was never a problem with a fisherman who stopped to fish, or a canoe with a family who stopped for a drink or sandwich. The problem increased to the point that the lodge had to hire security guards to come on Saturday's while we were at the beach for our safety. But, because of this law of nature, they have been told they do not have the right to have security on the beach anymore.

Black River Lodge has a reputation of being a great family vacation, and I feel they should have the right to security on the beach to monitor behavior and for the safety of their guests and protect their property. Guards were only running off the canoes who were causing a problem. What about any private property owner along the river, the farmer or the home owner? The law of nature was created in ancient times, isn't it time to amend this law and give the taxpayer and property owner some rights on his land? I don't believe that the Missouri State Water Patrol has enough officers to monitor activities on all the rivers and their banks. Times have changed; people do not have respect for property like they did in earlier days, or show respect for other people. That is why an amendment or a change in this law is necessary. If you pay taxes on property, you should have the right to protect it.

I would like to know how others feel about the laws regarding rivers and their banks. It would help to also give your opinions to the Department of Public Safety at the Missouri State Water Patrol. The address is as follows:

State of Missouri

Department of Public Safety

Missouri State Water Patrol

P.O. Box 1368

Jefferson City, MO. 65102

Also, notice in one of my photos above the cow crossing the river while we were rafting, there were also other cows on the other bank drinking water. hmmmm What about the "dung" they are leaving in the river? Nobody has even thought about this.

I want to extend a special thank you to the agents from the Missouri State Water Patrol for all their help on Saturday, August 20, and to the security guards for all their help in the past. Thank You!