Lake Elsinore

One of the largest natural lakes in Southern California.

Originally part of the "Laguna grant" when owned by Spaniards, Margaret Collier Graham, whose husband Donald Graham (The two, along with Margaret's brother William, comprise the "WIL-" "-DO-" and "-MAR" of the portmanteau word Wildomar, which is what they named an area of land they later sold.) was a partner in the purchase and subdivision of the Laguna grant, chose the name "Elsinore" for the town because she loved Shakespeare (Hamlet takes place in Elsinore, Denmark. Also, the local AAA baseball team's mascot is named Hamlet for this reason.)

Known for its skydiving capabilities, the area to the Southeast of the lake (the flood plain) is somewhat famous among skydiving aficionados.

The area was famous in the early 20th century as a resort for celebrities. There was gambling, hot springs, and lazy days on the lake. The famous evangelical preacher who staged her own kidnapping, Sister Aimee Semple MacPherson, (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimee_Semple_McPherson) even built her mansion near the shores of the lake. This all changed when the lake dried up in the 1930's. It was refilled in the 60's and since then, the Canyon Lake Dam has primarily been used to regulate the amount of water Lake Elsinore receives so this economically detrimental event doesn't happen again.