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Carl Ross 23-Apr-2025 17:00
oh and the old Manhattan Beach Hotel and others images of Manhattan
Carl Ross 23-Apr-2025 16:54
Brian!
Glad you found all of the images I posted elsewhere about Vacation Village! If I find more I will tell you!
Guest 16-Sep-2024 17:42
I am interested in Brian Craigs family. My mother was a Craig raised in Langdon IA. Her mother was Mary Alice Tatman Craig and father was Lloyd Albert Craig. My great aunt and uncle owned Gateswood Cottages and sold to my parents George and Natalie Williamson. After my fathers death in 1973 my mother sold to Fillenworth in 1979. I am curious as to whether we are related somewhere down the line.
Guest 24-Feb-2017 13:20
Hi Brian, don't know if you monitor this site, but...I saw the photo of Cato's Vagabonds onstage at the Roof Garden in the early thirties. My father, Glenn Enzfelder is tenor sax player in the band, on the right in the middle of the three men. Cato's played several summer seasons there, and were very popular. I have this same photo, plus some old newspaper print on their appearances there. As a boy I attended the band's reunion at Okoboji in the summer of 1957. Although we live in Florida, my wife and I hope to get up to Okoboji in late July or August to see it again. I had heard that the Roof Garden is now the Majestic Ballroom and still sponsors big band dances. By the way, Cato's Vagabonds spanned the year 1922 to 1936. Our family was from Davenport IA
David Enzfelder enzfelders@gmail.com
Chris R. 03-Aug-2014 21:01
The photo of Green's Beach and Our Lady of the Lake building interest me. My father worked for Boys Town in the 50's and early 60's and there was an old resort building where the kids from Boys Town (in Omaha) would go for a week every summer. Dad drove the bus and I usually went along and stayed the week while Dad performed maintenance work on the building and grounds. I have so many wonderful memories of the old place and the lake. I was very young so its not clear if this is the same place. Can anyone tell me if this is the same place later owned by Boys Town ? Thanks
Patty Pierce 08-Apr-2014 02:56
Brian, I love this collection. Especially your Boxing Flyer from 1932. My grandfather and his brother were prize fighters at Vick's Corner and Arnolds Park during Prohibition. 1931-34. I'd love to know if you have access to any additional photos or memorabilia from the boxing matches of that time period. Thanks again for such a great collection! Warmly, Patty
Bert 03-Nov-2013 16:52
Hi Brian
Thank you for the great collection. Am in my 80's and recall vivid memories of Arnolds Park in the 1930's. Spent summers with my grand parents who operated the
old majestic roller rink. I could not locate photographs they had but your pictures sure helped me recalling my childhood. Gordon Bennit and me was same age so we
rode any ride anytime and enjoyed fun house/roller coaster when ever we wanted.
Gordon is son of the Bennits who ran Arnolds Park. I think Gordon has or had a
golf course in the area now.Not really sure. By the way, my grand parents name
was (Muth), from Yankton South Dakota where I was born. Greatly enjoyed your
pictures. Keep up good work.
Bert
Brian Craig25-May-2013 02:57
Right on all counts Brent! Great memory you have. Thanks for stopping by.
Brent M. 23-May-2013 20:51
Great pictures Brian. You must be the same Brian who, when I was little (in the 70s), had a chopper & a really nice German shephard named Colo. I remember him barking like crazy on the dock when you splashed water at him.
julie 26-Mar-2012 17:15
brian, great collection--am looking for an interior pic of the Peacock showing the maiden mast head---would you know of anything on that order--thanks for responding julie
Lauren Tiffany 03-Jul-2011 17:46
Brian-
Your archive of Lake Okoboji postcards is fabulous!
Thanks so much for sharing!
You helped me put dates on some old family pictures by comparing family photos to some of your archived postcards!
Thank you , thank you!
-Lauren Tiffany
Rusty Waite 28-Feb-2011 16:30
Just returned from the Okoboji area visiting my significant others family, was doing a search on Crandalls Lodge and your gallery came up. Was nice to add pics to the stories her 101yr old grandmother and her father told while we visited. Look forward to our next trip so I can search out a few more of these places they speak of.
Thanks for Sharing,
Rusty
Guest 10-Jan-2011 17:04
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful photos of the Okoboji area. My sister and I loved them. Our family is from that area so we grew up there and still spend a lot of time there. So many good times and memories there. Very fun seeing what it used to be like.
Bill Craig 27-Jul-2010 00:33
Brian, you probably wont remember me my dad was uncle harrys brother Ernie, I ran across some of the pics of Rembrandt some time ago they really brought back a lot of memories; hope all is well, feel free to call me 918 850-0168 thanks
Bill
Guest 23-Jul-2010 12:18
Your photos were fantastic. I got some nice comments from my relatives out west, and in N.J. Without telling you my age, I vaguely remember the tornado that struck the Terrace Park area in 1936. I also remember swimming on the beach in that area. Thanks for sharing you photos.
Bill Wolfe 19-Jul-2010 15:56
We are trying to find out about a "cottage" owned by the John A. Farber family on Lake Okoboji in the 1930's. Where it was located? When bought? When sold? Can anyone help us?
JEFF POST 30-Dec-2009 04:10
THANKS , WE WERE FROM THE LAKEFIELD AREA , PICNICKED ON THE BEACH AT ARNOLDS PARK A LOT -- ALSO SWAM THERE -- OUR FAVORITE WAS THE FUNHOUSE. LATER YEARS HUNG OUT AT THE ROOF GARDEN -- ALSO THE SKATE RINK.
CHUCK SKOGERBOE 28-Dec-2009 18:39
Brian:

These ARE GREAT!

dO YOU HAVE ANY MORE SHOWING SW CORNER OF SPIRIT LAKE-CALLED STEVENS COVE?
Marilyn 23-Nov-2009 21:05
Thank you so much, Brian, for posting your wonderful work for all to see. My parents moved the family to Arnolds Park in Aug. 1948, when I was 15 months old. My husband and I continued to live in the area ( A.P., Okoboji and Spirit Lake) until 2006. Many of your photos brought back wonderful memories for me of when we were small. So much has changed now, that it is hard to visualize what used to be....
Bill McGrew 12-May-2008 05:25
The pictures of Rebrandt are really great. Where did you find them. I can see I have a lot of reviewing to do of all your pictures. I hope you guys are doing well.
Sabrina Kelly 24-Apr-2008 19:47
We have a condo at Heather Ridge on Lake Okoboji, IA. What a surprise it was to run across your website and see your wonderful photo of Heather Ridge and Holiday Villa on one of those beautiful Okoboji days.
eddie 04-Dec-2006 06:41
good cage fighting pix!
Hugh M. Olson 20-Sep-2006 01:36
Brian: I was born at Arnolds Park in 1920 & lived there to the age of 10. My family lived next door to the Carson Benet home. My father, Louis Olson, owned a grocery at the Park, my grandfather Bruce Root was captain on the Queen and my uncle Tom Olson (dad's brother)owned the Okoboji store where the post office was located, & was postmaster in Okoboji for 40 years (1920-1960). I learned of your OkobojI gallery a few month ago & cherish it. I have a shelf full of books, newspaper clipping, postcards & photos of the Arnolds Park/Okoboji area. In the late 1920s my grandfather Root was a painter and was among those who painted the structural frame for the rollder coaster. During its trial runs, with sand bags on the seats, grandpa seated ne beside a sand bag, secured me in place and away we went. I may have been the first real person to ride the coaster!
Thanks for a great contribution to the area's historical record.
Tom 20-Apr-2006 17:05
Very nice pics. Would like to see more Fire Rescue pics
Alfred F. Lee 23-Aug-2005 18:31
Hi Brian; Just to say a late thank you for the pix you took of the sunset beach cottage, and our old friend Annette Neighbors, as well as my cousin Merwin's cottage and Gill park and Terril. I'm not the worlds best at keeping up correspondence. I hope you will forgive me. We celebrated Merwins 95th BD a few weeks ago and he is still running his company of 60 years and on Sept 10 we will have a big party in Pasadena for the company. Thank's to your help we were able to put together a lovely album of relatives, friends and Okoboji.Thanks again Brian and hope to hear from you. Al Lee PS I like the Corsair.
megan 03-May-2005 00:52
Thanks so much for taking pictures of Grease! Didn't Sandra do a wonderful job? I get to live with her next year :) Maybe the 8 of us girls will come to you for a house pictures!
Debbie 28-Apr-2005 19:39
Hi Brian- Is it possible to get copies of the biplane? Thanks
Courtney Walker 28-Apr-2005 13:51
My family currently lives next to the New Inn, it is fun to see the different changes over the years. Noticed that we used to have a beach in front of our property-not anymore. My Grandfather just turned 94 and has been in Okoboji since 1931. He used to party at the New Inn. Things haven't changed much in my family.
Mary Sackett 28-Apr-2005 13:25
Awesome postcards of Okoboji. The first time I think I wish that I was older. Thanks for shareing.
Alfred F. Lee 17-Apr-2005 03:17
Hi Brian; My name is Al Lee, I'm 77 years old and live in Garden grove Ca. I lived on Lake Okoboji, Sunset Beach, about 3/4 mile south of Bennits amusment park from 1932 to 1937. it is my favorite place on earth. The house I lived in was built by my grandparents in 1911 my grandmother sold it to Mr Bennit in 1947. I saw the house on the market last summer on the internet, by Kurt Straus. I am an avid photographer my self and also use the dmc fz20. An excellemnt Camera for the money.Thanks loads for the memories, Al Lee white-eagle75@earthlink.net . P.S I'll send you some of my samples to your address, Al
Anita 18-Dec-2004 19:30
Excellent site Brian! You are one-talented fella. Happy, safe holidays to you and yours.
Sally 16-Oct-2004 11:18
Would you take photos for our Christmas Card?
Sandy 03-Oct-2004 19:11
Wow! You are an awesome photographer! Do you ever photograph weddings?
Brian Craig03-Oct-2004 02:03
Why Ellie Mae I thought you knew the Worlds Biggest and Best County Fair is in Iowa!
Ellie Mae 02-Oct-2004 15:42
Where is the Clay Co.Fair??