Address: 20809 Blue Water Dr Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Historical information provided by Jonathan Reed _ Triboji Beach/Lazy Lagoon Lazy Lagoon was part of the Triboji development between the Percival family and the Sioux City Tribune, which helped promote investment in the property beginning in 1928. The lagoon was dug as a shelter for boats during rough weather. Businessman Alex Percival had established a Read More »
Address: 1769 260th Ave Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
The oldest YMCA camp in Iowa Camp Foster YMCA is the oldest YMCA camp in Iowa. Under the name Iowa YMCA Camp, Camp Foster was started in 1912 in Iowa Falls by Leonard Paulson. Paulson, Secretary of the Iowa YMCA, enlisted the help of Thomas Foster in finding a permanent site for the camp. In Read More »
This is a wonderful stop to stretch the legs! Elinor Bedell State Park is one of Iowa’s newer (1998) state parks. It is located on the shores of East Lake Okoboji and represents one of the last remaining open spaces in a region that is among Iowa’s most popular tourist destination. The eighty acre park Read More »
Historical information provided by Jonathan Reed _ Pioneer Beach on the east shoreline of East Okoboji was, in fact, settled by area pioneers. James and Susan (Yarnes) Pollard came to northwest Iowa in 1865, establishing a farm on East Okoboji. They had three sons, Albert, Charles, and George; Susan’s brother was Consider A. Yarnes who Read More »
Historical information provided by Jonathan Reed _ WHO REMEMBERS…seeing trains on the rail lines, visiting the local train depots, or driving under the Arnolds Park viaduct? Spirit Lake was served by two rail lines, and that meant two railway stations. The first to arrive in 1882 was the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, the same Read More »
Address: 1736 170th Ave Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Information provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources _ Standing on a vista overlooking the expansive Cayler Prairie, it’s easy to imagine bison – the icon of the open prairie – at home on this historic area. The 1,200-acre rolling prairie complex in Dickinson County, a short three miles west of West Okoboji Lake, Read More »
Address: Jct. Hwy. 9 & 86, 2048 Hwy 9 Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Historical information provided by Jonathan Reed and Vick’s Corner World _ Now widely known for its Memorial Day/July 4/Labor Day antique and flea markets, Vick’s Corner Works is an Iowa Great Lakes landmark with its bright orange tile roof and eclectic general store and fishing supplies. ________ Vick’s Corner World Vick’s Corner was started in Read More »
Address: 15809 Furman Rd Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Historical Information by Facebook user Peg ‘Bayerkohler’ Scheppmann _ What can someone do with some swampland adjacent to beautiful West Lake Okoboji? You dig canals and make a harbor, and that’s what developers did in 1970. Today, the canals provide convenient access to West Okoboji for the many beautiful homes constructed since then. _ Images Read More »
Address: 2463 190th St Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Historical information provided by Jonathan Reed. _ OKOBOJI’S FORGOTTEN TRAPSHOOTING MASTER Trapshooters Fred ‘Dood’ Gilbert and Johnny Jahn…those are familiar names in the area, and deservedly so. But did you know there was another? Charles W. Budd of Des Moines is now largely forgotten, but he was once an unstoppable force among trapshooters in the Read More »
Address: 9WRJ+XH Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Historical information provided by Daughters of the American Revolution _ The family of Joel Howe and his wife and six children were murdered by the Spirit Lake massacre marauders. The cabin was located on the east shore of East Okoboji Lake, about four miles distance from the Gardner site. The marker is placed on the Read More »
