Commons

Commons is a huge, log building at West Turtle Lake Club, not too far from Spearfish Lake. It was designed by Ursula Mandenberg as a dining hall for the club and it was built by Clark Construction in the early 1950s. "It had won architectural awards when it was built, and was featured in magazine articles and architectural books. It may have been the most famous building in the county."'^BAR787

Most residents of Spearfish Lake were too embarassed to be seen at the club, a nudist resort, until Gil and Carrie Evachevski moved their Halloween party to Commons. Being the off-season, with nudity unlikely in October and the costumes providing a measure of anonymity, the parties became very popular and allowed many visitors to finally see the famous building.

Helga Matson was the driving force in founding the West Turtle Lake Club and her strict vegetarian principles was the reason why Commons was strictly vegetarian with the sole exception being the Halloween party. When it wasn't "Helga Matson had insisted that every dish in the building be washed three times afterward"^BAR787

Actual details of Commons are few, other than it is large enough to host two bands at different ends without too much conflict. It also has a sweeping porch outside, probably providing a nice view of the lake and beach.