New Trenton in Franklin County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lester “Marvelo” Lake

1904–1977

Photo of entire marker wanted image. Click for full size.

1. Photo of entire marker wanted

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Magician, humorist, and innovator Lester Lake was born in New Trenton. He began performing magic as a profession in Brookville by 1925 and was inducted into Queen City Mystics, Assembly 11 of the Society of American Magicians the same year. He traveled extensively performing at parks, theaters, schools, and nightclubs, 1925-1960. Toured Europe with USO during WWII.

Lake is credited with developing a wide array of tricks and illusions including Burned Alive (1929), The Guillotine (1931), and Disecto (1942). He developed new magic tricks independently and later became an associate of Abbott’s Magic Company in Michigan. His contributions to the field influenced many magicians, such as New Trenton native John Calvert. (Marker Number 24.2018.1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 39° 18.794′ N, 84° 54.155′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in New Trenton, Indiana, in Franklin County. Marker is on U.S. 52 just south of St Peters Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Trenton IN 47035, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. New Trenton (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Snow Hill Covered Bridge (approx. 2.8 miles away); General John Morgan (approx. 4½ miles away); St. John The Baptist Church (approx. 5.3 miles away); Dover (approx. 5½ miles away); a different marker also named General John Morgan (approx. 5½ miles away); High Water Mark (approx. 5.7 miles away); a different marker also named General John Morgan (approx. 5.7 miles away).

Also see . . . Lester Lake – Marvelo!. Undated article by unknown author in The Newest Tops magazine. Excerpt (quoting Percy Abbott):

“We really believe that credit can be given to Lester for the introduction of the smaller type of illusion when he first introduced the Chinese Chopper and the Chopper Guillotine, followed by the famous Disecto which has been conceded to be the greatest small type illusion ever produced. Lester is responsible

for these illusions and as time went on, we saw how practical they were for the present-day performer and we began making illusions of the small type also.”

(Submitted on September 3, 2021.)

Remains of the Lester “Marvelo” Lake Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 22, 2021

2. Remains of the Lester “Marvelo” Lake Marker

This is a photo of side 1. New Trenton proper is just around the curve ahead.

Buried Alive Every Afternoon, Burned Alive Every Evening: The Life of Lester Lake image. Click for more information.

Photographed By J. J. Prats

3. Buried Alive Every Afternoon, Burned Alive Every Evening: The Life of Lester Lake

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Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.