In 1903, Asahel Curtis captured a panoramic view of the then-suburban neighborhood of Green Lake. At the time, the area was in the midst of its second spurt of growth, with nearly 10,000 residents. The first building boom hit in the early 1890s. First of two.

In 1903, Asahel Curtis captured a panoramic view of the then-suburban neighborhood of Green Lake. At the time, the area was in the midst of its second spurt of growth, with nearly 10,000 residents. The first building boom hit in the early 1890s. Second of two.

Green Lake has been a magnet for swimmers and divers over the decades. The lake and park are now used by an estimated 1 million people a year. Studies of summer peak use showed an estimated 40,000 visitors a week; 5,000 a day during weekdays and 7,200 a day on weekends.

Water quality has been an important issue to Green Lake residents and visitors for years, as this 1958 photo indicates.