Lake Lawrence Community was once called “Edwards Pavilion” was established in 1923 by Louie Armstrong and Amber Reichel. All logs to build the lodge were felled from off the lake property itself and the fireplace was erected by Frank Noreen from Deschutes Falls. It took about one year to completed the building. This became an extension of Edwards Resort, a fishing a recreational getaway, here on Lake Lawrence. Afterwards many dances were held in the building. In 1973 the over 50-year-old resort closed, and the camping era came to an end. The resort property is now enjoyed by many private property homeowners. The playground, swimming area, and Edwards Pavilion became part of the Lake Lawrence Community Club, which still maintains these facilities for the benefit of their members. The lodge is also available to the community at large for all types of events to include weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, family reunions, and any other event.

On or about the Spring of 1976 the Seattle Inboard and Outboard Racing Associations stated racing on Lake Lawrence. They have raced every year except 2001 due to water levels in the lake dropping to a record low and 2015 due to numerous Yellow Flag Iris Floating Islands. Most racers know the reputation of the lake as having prime racing conditions to set records and come from all across the county to race on Lake Lawrence. Some class records are broken every year. 

In the 1990’s the Fourth of July Annual Boat Parade was started. This event has grown from a dozen boats to over 40 decorated and colorful boats and other floating craft. The event starts at 1200 at the Lake Lawrence Community Club boat docks and travels counterclockwise around both the main and little lake until everyone ends back at the start point.

Lake Lawrence is a shallow lake ranging in depth from an average of 8-10 feet to 26 feet at its deepest point. Currently Lake Lawrence has approximately 700 parcels/lots. Of this approximately 151 are lake front, 15 are canal front, and 537 are upland or parcels/lots located within home owners’ associations that have their own lake access by way of a community boat launch and park within each of the three larger associations (Lake Lawrence Community Club, Scenic Shores, and Wildfire). There is one public boat launch on the southwest end of the lake at the end of Pleasant Beach Drive managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and is adjacent to undeveloped land acquired by Thurston County in 1988. In September 2019 the public boat launch was renovated with improved facilities, parking, boat dock, and ramp.