Bright Lake Park
This property became part of the Martin County Conservation Club in the late 1960's and was purchased by Martin County in 1971. In the early 1800s remains were found from Fort Tchan Hassen, a fur-trading post of the John Jacob Astor American Fur Company. This lake was originally called Babcock for James H. Babcock, the first settler on the southwest end of the lake. He named the lake Bright Lake, although settlers of the time still called the lake Babcock. For many years, there was rookery for the night herons on the south shore of the lake.