MONTICELLO — In 1988, a plaque was placed on the monument at Lake Montesian to honor Harvey Elmer, a local man that loved the man-made lake that was built in the mid-1960s.

In the morning of Dec. 18, the fading plaque was replaced by his children, Marianne Lederman and Jenny Elmer.

“When my father went to Monticello, there were always a lot of ducks and geese in the lake,” Elmer said. “He’d walk over a mile to feed them. He was so happy to feed the ducks.”

Harvey Elmer passed away at 87, 10 years after his wife. With the original plaque fading and needing an update, donations began rolling in. On the morning of the dedication, visitors to witness the unveiling of the new plaque came from Brodhead, Madison, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin Dells and Rock Island, Illinois. 

Lake Montesian is a 7-acre man-made lake built with funds donated by the residents and friends of the community. The lake lies in part of the old Monticello mill pond, and is watered by springs and an artisan well, according to the plaque.