This photograph was taken in the late 1800's at the Sunflower Lake located in Sailor Springs,Illinois.
Sunflower Lake was a man made lake. In the spring of 1885, Manliff Coggan and his mule team dug this large lake at the south end of the resort area.  In the southwest part of the body of water, there is a small wooded islet where there are planted tall stately yellow sunflowers which tend to give the place the appropriate name of Sunflower Lake.  Fishing was available, and a boat house was constructed at the north end of the lake.

The lady sitting on the ground leaning on  the boat is Lydia Crackel Harris. The man sitting on the boat is believed to be Mr. and Mrs. Hilts's son. It is unknown at this time the name of the other  woman.