When was okoboji founded

A boathouse was constructed nearby with row boats available to guests. Wesley Arnold constructed a wooden, foot toboggan-style waterslide on the south shore of West Lake Okoboji, the very first attraction at what would become Arnolds Park Amusement Park. An ice cream parlor and other concession stands sprung up nearby. The first permanent dock was built at The Park, a ft. An advertisement promoting a 4th of July celebration at The Park listed such attractions as dancing at the pavilion, bowling alley, skating rink, giant coaster, toboggan waterslide and steam boating.

The Majestic Roller Rink opened. An advertisement in the spring touted such attractions at The Park as a gypsy fortuneteller, a new ft. On July 4, The Park hosted its largest crowd to date, with approximately 25, guests in attendance. The Roof Garden opened at The Park. A passenger lakeshore merry-go-round named Kiddie Town was added to the north end of The Park.

The Arnolds Park Riot rocked and shocked the town when an estimated crowd of drunken college students streamed out of the bars at 2 a. The mayhem was finally quelled — after looting, destructive bonfires and vandalized police cars were left in the wake — when the National Guard was called in to assist in the middle of the night. A devastating tornado tore through the Iowa Great Lakes region on June 13, leaving behind a path of destruction that included extensive damage to the Roof Garden and other structures at The Park.

The Park closed for a year, with doubts about its future. The venerable Roof Garden was burned and the Fun House was demolished. Senator from Minnesota. However, local inhabitants finally settled with the current names of West Okoboji and East Okoboji. There appears to be some confusion over the origin of the word Okoboji, but Professor T.

Modern settlements began to show up when the Okoboji bridge was built in connecting the channel that connected West Okoboji to East Okoboji.

The original bridge was built feet in length. The Antlers Hotel was built on the same site in The Antlers has now been renovated and restored for use as apartments and retail stores. Another corner building that retains some of its appearance was first the A. It has housed a variety of businesses and is currently Edward Jones Investments. Those who sought cultural activities near the turn of the century could take advantage of the summer Chautauqua gatherings located on grounds at the north end of Hill Avenue.

In the Spirit Lake Park Association built an auditorium on the shores of East Okoboji for the crowds who thronged to hear speakers and musical groups. Sportsmen were eager to try their skills in the lakes and lands where fish and game were plentiful. The isthmus between Big Spirit and East Okoboji Lakes has been the setting for two previous fish hatcheries and and now is the location of the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.

A park toward the north end of the city bears his name. Another Spirit Lake native loved to fish as much as the rest of his family and made a name for himself not by competing in the sport, but by founding the Berkley Fly Company. In Berkley Bedell began his business in his home while still in high school.

The expanded Berkley and Company became a national leader in the fishing tackle business. Now named Pure Fishing, the industry headquarters is located on Highways 71 and 9. Visit the painted turtles and tarantulas and walk through an indoor bat cave, bee hive and fox burrow at the Dickinson County Nature Center , open year-round in the acre Kenue Park. Outdoors, stroll mowed paths through a restored tallgrass prairie and around a wetland, and climb through a Nature Playscape with stumps, logs, a teepee and underground tunnel.

Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the tables. Tour the six galleries of the Pearson Lakes Art Center , including a permanent Russian Impressionist collection, or take one of the classes, geared for all ages and skill levels. Facebook Twitter Email.