From the earliest days of visitors to the Iowa Great Lakes, the bluff on West Okoboji’s west side seemed to be the highest point in Iowa…or was it?
SPOILER: It isn’t—Hawkeye Point near Ocheyedan holds that honor—but that didn’t stop property owners and area promoters from perpetuating the idea.
High Point, located just across the street from Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, as we know it was originally christened Phillips’ Point, named after R. E. Phillips, who owned the 320-acre Willow Spring Farm. In the 1880s, this property extended from the far side of the hilltop all the way down to the edge of Miller’s Bay.
The Lakeside Laboratory now occupies most of the waterfront land.
Operated by the University of Iowa, Lakeside Lab’s 147 acre campus offers science classes and research opportunities for scientists from around the world—microscopic diatoms found in our own lake water are a special focus. One of the best views of the Lakeside Lab is from the hill to the west by the water tower, once thought incorrectly to be Iowa’s High Point.
In addition to the observatory, the high point has been home to a private residence constructed by James A. Beck (who built The Inn and dug the canals between Miller’s Bay and Emerson Bay). His Spanish style house remained unoccupied for many years until it became the Hi-Point Hacienda restaurant, and later the Hi-Point Restaurant.
It is now the site of the Wahpeton water tower. Compared with the commanding view of Miller’s Bay and West Okoboji of 125 years ago, it is largely obscured today by trees and Lakeside Lab buildings.
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Hi-Point restaurant and lookout
When a spot has the reputation for being the highest point in Iowa—even if it is not correct—it is a reputation worth preserving. The Hi-Point Supper Club and Sky Lounge perpetuated the myth, and it did offer spectacular views of West Okoboji. This is the final rendition of establishments on the hillock. Its precursor was the Hi-Point Hacienda, which was a converted Spanish-style vacation home originally built by J.A. Beck (of the Inn). The restaurant was opened in July 1941 by Dick West. In 1947, Bill and Lou Houser purchased the business, selling it in 1965 to Bud and Bonnie Osborne. It became Mr. B’s SteakHouse about 1978 and burned to the ground in 1980. Today, this is the site of the Wahpeton water tower and a privately owned storage shed.
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Images
(An “observatory” was constructed on the mound in 1883, just as the Iowa Great Lakes was developing as a tourist area. First picture is of a group of surveyors poses with their equipment in about 1890. The observatory was a popular destination with tourists. The additional information is from April 27, 1883.)
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(A news article from 1886 touts the supposed burial site of “Chief Okoboji.”
Pssst, don’t fall for it–there was no Chief Okoboji. That didn’t stop locals from pranking visitors with a suggestion they try to find his grave.)
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(About 1890, the view of West Okoboji was impressive to behold, with prairie all around, and only a couple of buildings from Willow Spring Farm to be seen.
Zoom in to enjoy the view!)
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(R.E. Phillips’ farm buildings from High Point, about 1885.)
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(As far as the restaurant’s fate…this is from July 10, 1980 in the Spirit Lake Beacon.)