The Legacy Archive - 1980 to 1989

The 1980’s were an active and formative time for the LCHA.  In the beginning of the decade some homes were still being built, and you could still find an empty lot here and there.  At that time there was no property management (or association management) company.  All association activities, including collection of dues and budgets, were handled directly by the volunteer board and other LCHA volunteers.  Back then if you didn’t pay your dues there were no liens; instead, you got your name published on the delinquency list in The Legacy! (names redacted in this online archive)

There were plenty of community activities including sailing regattas, swimming competitions, Easter egg hunts, open houses, and from what I've read, no shortage of lake parties!  It was also a decade of community activism to influence the city zoning department against commercial developers who were determined to build shopping centers on adjacent undeveloped property. 

Not all activism was external.  The 1980’s also saw some heated internal debates to modify the architectural guidelines to allow vinyl siding and colors outside the taupe family of our once earth-tone only, wood-siding only community.  Fortunately our community retains a muted color palette to this day, but before that change in the late 1980's, local realtors called Lake Christopher "Brown Town" since nearly all the homes were some shade of tan or brown. 

Some articles from the 1980's would be familiar today, such as never ending intersection improvements at Kempsville Road and Indian River Road – only back then the widening was to increase traffic capacity from just one lane in each direction!

Enjoy looking through these issues.  Most importantly, if you're a long time resident who may have some original issues, DON'T THROW THEM OUT YET!  Please contact the editor.  Our Legacy archive is not complete.