On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota
On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota is the story of the people, places, and events that have shaped the shoreline of Lake Mendota, Madison’s greatest lake. It is the story of Native people, settlers, iceboaters, sailors, fishers, hunters, explorers, politicians, entertainers, lifeguards, boat captains, inventors, scientists, and Olympians, much of it in their own words. Don spent over a decade preparing this social history of Lake Mendota. His work combines the personal experiences of people who lived, worked, and played on the lake with the events that shaped Madison, the Badger State, and the nation.
The first book of its kind, On Fourth Lake takes the reader on a guided tour around Lake Mendota, looking at the lakeshore from the water. It is richly illustrated with more than 500 maps, newspaper articles, and photographs. Many of the images were sourced from private collections and have never before been available to the public. This book is a must-have for anyone who spends time on Lake Mendota or has an interest in the history of Madison and Dane County.
Don Sanford
A Lake Mendota mariner, Don Sanford is a member of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, past Commodore of the Mendota Yacht Club, and Commodore of the International Nite Ice Yacht Class Association. He holds a 100-ton Masters License, Great Lakes and Inland Waters. Since 2006, Don has been a captain for Betty Lou Cruises in Madison. He also hosts Madison School & Community Recreation’s (MSCR) Lake Mendota celebrity cruises.
A native of Syracuse, New York, Don grew up on the shores of Cazenovia Lake, where he first developed his interest in social history. He moved to Madison in 1976 to accept a position with Wisconsin Public Television (WPT). During nearly three decades at WPT, he served as lighting director, production manager, volunteer manager, and occasional on-air host. Don earned his B.S. degree in communications studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and his M.S. from Syracuse University in radio, television and film.