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A new book by Jon Bowers, Legend of Lake George “El Lagarto” and the Men That Made Her Great, is set to be published in the next few weeks, and is now available for pre-order.
Bowers says the book “sets record straight” on the story of the famous wooden Lake George speedboat owned by George Reis. Bower’s grandfather, Anderson “Dick” Bowers, was the mechanic who worked with and for Reis over the lifetime of El Lagarto.
Bowers grew up listening to the stories of El Lagarto and its world famous distinction as the winner of the top races in the power boat world during the 1930s, including the National Sweepstakes, the Presidential Cup, and the Lake Winnipesaukee Sweepstakes (to name a few). El Lagarto won the the Gold Cup in 1934, 1935 (in Bolton Bay on Lake George) and in 1936. In his book, Bowers assembled a collection of photographs that highlight the story of a champion power boat and those who made it.
The book is available via pre-order in softcover for $30 plus $2.10 tax. A limited number of hard covers will be available, call (518) 743-0734 for price.
Orders can be sent with a check to 50 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804. Orders should include the number of books ordered, total money enclosed, name, address, telephone number and email. Books can also be purchased with credit card by calling the Society at (518) 734-0734 from Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 am to 4 pm.
The Warren County Historical Society will call when the books will be ready for pickup. For an additional $5 each, books can be mailed. For more information, visit their website.
Photo of El Lagarto provided.
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This article interested me because my dad used to take me for speedboat rides when we vacationed in the Adirondacks in the 1950’s. A Wikipedia search redirected me to “Hacker-craft”, an article about speedboats designed and built by the Hacker Boat Company in Detroit, Michigan. John L. Hacker seems to have been very important in the development of speed boats in the early 1900’s. I searched on to fine some for sale. The 1928 Hacker-craft Dolphin which is mentioned in the same Wiki article with the El Lagarto is going for $199,000 as is, and a practically new 2015 33″ Hacker-Craft Limo Tender is attractively priced at $699,900. That one is on Lake Michigan. See you next summer!