Okoboji and Arnolds Park Photo Gallery by Brian Craig at pbase.com

Okoboji and Arnolds Park

This collection of postcards is from the early 1900's of Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Orleans, Spirit Lake, Milford, Wahpeton, and West Okoboji Iowa.
If you have a scan of an image you would like to contribute to this site please make contact by email.
luckybreak@gmail.com
Thanks

Arnolds Park 1930's	Arnolds Park 1930's	Spirit Lake 1880's	Brooks Country Club 1940's
The Inn 1929	The Inn Air View	Arnolds Park 1920's	Arnolds Park 1922
Arnolds Park 1924	Arnolds Park 1929	Arnolds Park 1943	Manhattan Beach Aerial
Manhattan Beach 1940's	Arnolds Park Aerial View	Crescent Beach 1940	Crescent Beach Eagle Pt and Gull Point
Crescent Beach Eagle Pt and Gull Point	Arnolds Park West Okoboji Minnewashta and Gar 1945	Arnolds Park	Pillsbury Point 1942
Pillbury Point	Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park and West Okoboji 1923	Arnolds Park 1942
Grade 1921	Okoboji Arnolds Park about 1928	Upper Gar East and West Okoboji 1925	Arnolds Park West Okoboji 1942
Arnolds Park The Grade 1942	Minnewashta and West Okoboji 1942	Inn Hotel	The Inn Aerial
Brooks Beach and County Club	Lutheran Lakeside Camp	Pikes Point 1942	YWCA Camp Okoboji Emerson Bay
YWCA 1921	Walther League Camp 1948	Lazy Lagoon about 1970	Terrace Park Casino 1930
Casino at Terrace Park West Okoboji	Terrace Park Casino-1935	Terrace Park Beach	Terrace Park Overhead Oct. 18, 1954
Casino at Terrace Park West Okoboji	Lady of the Lake	Okoboji Blvd Terrace Park 1909	Green's Beach from the West 1911
Bathers on Greens Beach 1908	Danbom's Boat Livery	Pocahontas Point 1914	YWCA Camp Okoboji 1912
Camp Okoboji Pergola 1923	YWCA Camp Recreation Hall 1930	Okoboji Club Aerial	Okoboji Club Lakeside
Okoboji Club West Side	Okoboji Club on Millers Bay	Okoboji Club Entry	Okoboji Club Dining Room
Okoboji Club Living Room	Okoboji Club 1949	Okoboji Club on Millers Bay 1954	Millers Bay 1910
Millers Bay 1913	Hi-Point	Millers Bay West Okoboji	Don Daily Beach
Vestergaard's Lake Shore Resort	Babcock's Resort	Babcock's Resort	Babcock's Resort
Babcock's Resort	Sailing Gull Point	Crescent Beach 1930's	Sailing Okoboji
Yachting on West Okoboji	Gull Point Lake Patrol Station	Gull Point Ranger Station	Gull Point Lodge
Gull Point looking South	Gull Point looking North	Grandview Cottage Crescent Beach 1947	The Cove
Manhattan West Okoboji	Manhatten Beach Hotel	Manhattan Boat Livery 1953	Manhattan Cottages 1937
Manhatten Beach 1953	Okoboji Excursion and Snark	Manhattan Aerial	Manhattan Beach Cabins
Manhattan Beach Hotel being taken down	Opening Season Vacation Village	Beach at Vacation Village	Vacation Village
Vacation Village Swimming Beach	Watermelon Bash At Vacation Village	Watermelon Bash at Vacation Village	Vacation Village Clubhouse 1953
Sand Castle Contest at Vacation Village	Village Hall	Aerial view Vacation Village	Vacation Village brochure
Vacation Village brochure	The Village at night	Vacation Village	Vacation Village Shoreline
Vacation Village brochure	Vacation Village Highway Sign	Vacation Village	Vacation Village Store
Treasure Divers at Vacation Village	Shoreline Work at Vacation Village	Swimming Beach at Vacation Village	Queen at the Village dock
Swimming Beach Vacation Village	Boat House Vacation Village	Vacation Village Aerial	Gilleys Beach August 1912
Coal dock and early Steamboats	Okoboji Store	Grade 1900	The Swing Bridge
Des Moines and Swing Bridge	East and West Okoboji	RR and Wagon Bridge	Okoboji Swinging Wagon Bridge 1908
Swing Bridge Okoboji Arnolds Park	Swing Bridge	Swing Bridge	Okoboji Bridge 1909
Wagon Bridge Lake Okoboji	Wilson Boat Works	Harry Wilson's	Harry Wilson's
Des Moines Swing Bridge	Swing Bridges 1920's	Swing Bridge Okoboji	Okoboji Bridge
Old Okoboji Bridge	Okoboji Swing Bridge 1909-1929	Tom Olson's Boat Livery	Louis Olson, Bud Fritz, Bill Mason, and Tom Olson
Okoboji Store Truck	Grade 1950's	The Grade 1907	Fishing between the Bridges 1908
Okoboji Fish 1912	Gardner Cabin and Monument	Wharf dock 1930	The Fun House
Pretzel Ticket Booth 1930's	Speed Hound Entrance 1930's	Midway 1939	Benits Amusesment Area 1930's
AP Shoreline 1930's	Arnolds Park 1921	Arnolds Park 1938	Arnolds Park Lakeside
Sunday at Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park at Night 1940s	Arnolds Park Lakeside Store	Nate's Night Club 1930's
Skating Rink 1930's	Majestic Rink	Benits Amusement Center 1920's	Wrestling Flyer 1932
Bug House 1930's	Lindy Loop 1930's	Tilt-A-Whirl 1930's	Wild Mouse
Wild Mouse Ride	The Peacock	Peacock	Bishops Grocery AP
Peacock Interior	Caps	Dreamland Roller Rink	Grocery Store
Hess Modern Cottages	Lincoln Park Resort	Maas Drive Inn	Oak Hill
Oak Hill	Vans Grocery	Grade between East and West Okoboji	The Grade Okoboji
Near Arnolds Park	Pillsbury Point	Stevens Beach	Pillsbury's Point about 1911
Pillsbury Point 1912	Pillsbury's Point 1942	Scheil Cabin Cass Bay	Marshes' Boat Landing
Biplane on West Okoboji	Morning On Okoboji	Road to the Inn	The Inn Beach 1908
The Inn 1913	Wharf and Beach at the Inn 1910	The Inn	Busy Moment at the Inn
Boat Landing The Inn	The Inn	The Inn Lake Okoboji	The Inn West Okoboji
The Inn Shoreline	The Inn Pavilion	Birds Eye View The Inn	Pavilion at The Inn
Boat Landing and Bathing Beach	Sioux City at the Inn Dock	The Inn Okoboji	Inn 1929
Inn	Falcon and The Inn	The Inn colorized	The Inn Dickinson Co Iowa
The Inn Shore Landing	The Inn Lakefront	Inn Flyer 1930's	Inn Flyer1930's
The Inn Lake Okoboji, Ia	Fort Dodge Point	Fort Dodge Pt 1930's	The Inn 1909
Inn Stairway 1909	The Inn 1909	Inn Beach Club 1948	Inn Dockside 1948
Dixon Beach 1909	Dixon Beach 1913	Dixon's Point	Dixon's Beach 1920's
Driveway At The Inn	Des Moines Beach 1912	Des Moines Beach	Omaha Beach 1908
Clubhouse Pikes Pt	Haywards Bay Store 1911	Haywards Bay 1916	Haywards Bay 1913
Pikes Point and Brownells Bay 1911	Head of West Lake	Arnolds Park Boat Landing 1910	Bathing Scene 1907
Arnolds Park 1908	Bathing in West Okoboji Iowa 1910	The Queen	Queen 1909
Steamer Queen 1910	1917 Boat Landing	Bruce (Cap) Root & The Queen 1918	Capt Bruce Root, Engineer Mike Wagner, Merril Root, Clate Elston
Queen and the Okoboji	The Okoboji, Queen, and the Sioux City	Smith's Bay Winter Scene	Steamer Queen
Queen	The Teaser	Steamboat Landing	Steamer Okoboji
Boarding the Okoboji	Hiawatha and Okoboji 1907	Queen and the Okoboji	Docking at Arnolds Park
Arnolds Park Dock	Boat Landing AP 1909	The Iowa 1910	The Ben Lennox
The Okoboji	Iowa Navy	Steamer Des Moines Orleans Dock on East Okoboji	Queen
Queen	Steamer Queen 1920's	Queen Underway	Queen Unloading
The Steamer Okoboji	Steamer Okoboji	Queen 1907	The Okoboji 1908
Okoboji Steamer on Lake Street	Falcon on Lake Okoboji	The Whitecap 1913	Boat Races 1919
Boating 1907	Reliance and the Des Moines	Fisherman's Wharf	Okoboji Racers 1914
Teaser Returning Lake Okoboji	Bathing Arnolds Park Slide	Shore Line Arnolds Park	Bathing Beach Arnolds Park
Benits Park Arnolds Park Iowa	AP Slide 1915	Water Slide	Arnolds Park Slide 1911
Arnolds Park Beach	Arnolds Park Water Slide	Swimming Arnolds Park 1910	AP Lakeshore
Boat Landing Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park Dock 1920	Queen 1930's	Arnolds Park Bath House and Slide
Bathing at Steven's Beach	Stevens Beach 1911	On West Okoboji Lake 1911	Brook's Lobby Golf Shop
Brook's Beach East Okoboji	Stevens Beach	Hi Ho 39 Boat late 1930's	Brooks Country Club 1940's
Tony's Pizza	Reds Cafe	Reds Cafe	Red's Place
Red's Cafe Interior 1950's	Gateswood	Gateswood Hotel	"Snow" at Gateswood Lake Okoboji
Gateswood Private Drive Arnolds Park	Gateswood Lodge 1950's	Gateswood Lovers Lane 1933	Rustic Bridge Gateswood West Okoboji
Stevens Beach Arnolds Park 1915	Lakeside Department Store 1917	Benits Arcade	Turnleys On West Okoboji 1946
Stevens Beach	Roof Garden Fun House Park Theatre	Central Ballroom 1920's	Central Pavillion 1930's
Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park Station	Okoboji Depot	Arnolds Park Depot.
Standard Station Okoboji	Just Arrived at Arnolds Park	Train Station Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park Hotel
Hotel Okoboji	Okoboji Hotel 1911	Okoboji Hotel Aug. 5, 1911	Arnolds Park Welcome Sign
State Pier Okoboji	Steamboat Landing 1950's	Roof Garden	Cato at the Roof Garden 1920 30s
The Docks Arnolds Park	Arnolds Park bathing beach 1938	Midway at Arnolds Park	Roof Garden Fun House
Amusment Park West Okoboji	Amusement Park	Arnolds Park	Pillsbury Point West Okoboji
Arnolds Park from the Indian Path	AP Shoreline 1921	Landings at Arnolds Park Iowa	Okoboji Store
Queen 1951	M. J. Smith Residence Okoboji	Okoboji Ice Loading Plant 1912	Ice Loading Plant
Ice Loading Plant	Spencer Beach Bridge	Summer Residence West Okoboji	Harry's Kurio Kastle 1930's
Chuck's Candy	Chuck's Peanuts	Kurio Kastle	Harry's Kurio Kastle 1955
Kurio Kastle Interior	Kurio Kastle Interior	Kurio Kastle Interior	Kurio Kastle Interior
Lakes Area Map 1908	Antlers Hotel 1907	Spirit Lake Fire Jan. 2, 1908	Spirit Lake 1907
Lake Street Spirit Lake	Spirit Lake Race 1915	Donaldson Car 7	Spirit Lake 1917
Spirit Lake Decoration Day 1926	Antlers Hotel 1930's	Spirit Lake Hill Street 1910	Main St Spirit Lake 1925/26
Dickinson Co. Courthouse 1910	DC Courthouse 1908	Dickinson Co. Courthouse 1950	Mini-Wakon
Crandalls Lodge 1955	Crandall's Lodge Spirit Lake	Crandall's Lodge	Crandall's Lodge
Templar Park 1903	At Templar's Park 1907	Templar Apartments 1930	Templar Park 1924
Templar Park 1929	Templar Golf Course	Templar Park	Templar Park 1936
West Side Hotel Spirit Lake 1907	West Side Hotel 1907	Indian Shooters 1910 Spirit Lake	West Shore Drive Spirit Lake
West Shore Spirit Lake 1907	West Side Spirit Lake	New Orleans Hotel 1907	Orleans Hotel 1911
Orleans 1922	Orleans Hotel On Spirit Lake	New Orleans Hotel	New Orleans Hotel
Hotel Orleans	Orleans Hotel 1912	Weed's Grocery 1937	Orleans Hotel Built in 1883
Spirit Lake from the Orleans Hotel 1914	Orleans Hatchery 1930's	The Spillway	Weed's Cottages 1937
Royal Orleans Club	Milford 1900	Torstensen Store Milford Iowa early 1900's	Milford 1900
Milford 1914	Meyerdirk's Welding shop 1914	Henry Winterboer Farm 1936	Milford 1915
Milford Downtown	Milford Main St.	Milford Downtown	Milford Fire Dept. Ladder Cart
Ponda Rosa Stage	Terril Iowa Post Office 1912

comment |

Tony Gardner		03-Oct-2024 15:10
My great grandparents, Olus and Martha Gates built the Gateswood Hotel and cottages around 1880. Now part of Fillenworths the hotel is still standing. Grandparents, Ardell and Mort Gardner, ran Gateswood until the end of WW2. My parents, Roland and Josephine Gardner Met at Red's Cafe When Mom was a guest at Gateswood in 1930. They moved to Miami after the war but couldn't stay away from the Lake, spending summers at Gateswood and later bought two of the Turnleys Resort cottages and spent summers renting them out. My wife, Joyce and I ran them until 2000 when we built a duplex we shared with my cousins Dave and Kathy Barth.Many happy memories, many great friends.

Guest		04-Feb-2024 13:53
Found this photo link on Facebook. Such a treasure! Thank you, Brian. Barbara (Sperry) Dokter

kathi craig wetter		21-Nov-2021 18:55
My Grandparents and mother spent many a summer at Arnold’s Park, where they ran Flack’s Lakeside Lunch for a few years, and then managed Benit’s Cottages for many more. I remember riding the Merry-go round at a very young age, 1963 or so, and visiting in later years, staying at the ‘BigHouse’ as G. Flack called it, next to the bumpers cars. grandpa walked the Legend every day then, checking for loose boards, and often ran the coaster when the park opened for the season. My mother skated at the Majestic, and we recently donated her skates and case to the Okoboji museum at the Park. looking forward to seeing them on display next season , along with all the other super-cool history already there. I love the memories these photos bring back, and the pictorial history of times past is fabulous. Thank you Brian Craig, for starting and maintaining this online photo gallery that has obviously brought much pleasure to so many!

Guest		09-Mar-2020 23:44
I grew up on a farm within 30 miles of Arnolds Park. Thanks for sharing your pictures....brought back so many great memories of fun times spent there.

Ran		01-Sep-2018 13:50
Where can I order this paper back book?

Jeff		18-Aug-2018 21:50
Can anyone help? I am writing a family history. In the 1950s my family would stay each summer at a place called Gerk's Resort (spelling?) on Lake Okoboji. Does anyone know of it and if the family is still in the area?

Pam Ebel		03-Jul-2016 16:24
Theses are great,thanks. Wondering if anyone has a picture of Sportsmanship a bait shop next to Oak Hill. My grandparents Olliie and Ione Goyette owned it, and spent many hours there in the summer. I have a picture from the back side but not from the front, would LOVE to find one. Pam Goyette Ebel

Jeff Sanford		01-Jun-2016 22:11
Anyone have pictures of the cabins at Vacation Village? Stayed there with my family in the 50s. Also a photo of a favorite restaurant in the area in those days that I think was called Red's? Great hamburgers (at least to the young boy I was!).

Jeremy Halverson		26-Apr-2016 02:04
Does anyone have a photo of the Haunted House in the amusement park in the 70s-80s? My grandparents lived on pilsbury point and as a kid I would walk down and buy my coupons to ride the rides but I'd stay fast away from the haunted house...would love to see a photo!

Guest		25-Jan-2016 19:13
Anyone have pictures of the Pavilion at Templar Park? I loved spending summers there in the 50s and 60s as my parents owned a cabin there. So many good memories.

Guest		06-Jun-2015 14:04
Does anyone remember Hackett's Cottages at Arnolds Park? Just south of the roller coaster on the corner.

Beverly Shaffer		03-Sep-2014 18:50
wonderful photos of my childhod towns Sprit Lake and Okoboji(Arnolds Park)! Lot of warm memories! :) My great grandparents were Hettie May and Jacob Richey in Arnolds Park. Anyone remember the Richeys? Jacob passed about 1963 in Milford County Hospital.

T Ashley		05-May-2014 14:11
James W Molloy worked at Stevens beach for many years prior to his death in June 1936 in Cherokee hospital. He was well known to hundreds of summer visitors. Is there anyone that may have known him or records of him.

Carl Ross		01-Apr-2014 22:00
Dr. Shreck, I think it was the Floate Mansion, I watched it burn as a kid about your age!

Robert R. Shreck, M.D.		25-Feb-2014 04:41
We stayed in a small nest of cabins on the lake, adjacent to a burned out mansion/resort in the 1950's. It was a short walk downhill to the beach. The burned out mansion/resort was still magnificent, and for an 8 year-old boy it was great for exploration. Does anyone know the name of the gutted place? Please let me know at bobshreck@aol.com. Thank you for the memories.

Marilyn Rossow		08-Dec-2013 01:41
Templar Park was so lavish.

Janis Stanley		01-Oct-2013 13:37
My Grandparents,CW {Charles William Council} owned or managed the Manhattan Beach Hotel sometime in the years 1926 to 1931. If anyone can tell me exactly when and if they were owners I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks, Claire

Sue		29-Sep-2013 17:17
Has anyone ever heard of "Ketchum's (or maybe, Ketchem's) Cottages? As a little girl in the 1950s and early 60s, I remember staying there as a family...also recall a very large, beautiful home built out of stone nearby somewhere. I think this was in East Okoboji, but not exactly sure. Thank you to anyone who may have information!

David Maxwell		22-Aug-2013 08:13
My ancestors Wesley and Charles Arnold came in 1868 when the lakes was mainly hunting and gaming. They made the best of the expanding west. First conducting a store and farming then buying over 300 acres of land in what is now old town Milford, which they farmed. In 1876, West was given lands for service in the Civil War service his brother, Charles, did in his name (so the family story goes). This land was on the eastern shore of West Okoboji Lake. He left farming and reinvested his proceeds in developing this land in the early 1880s, thus founding what became an amusement park, that was changed to the name Arnolds Park in 1951. Charles also left farming and bought the West Side Hotel on the southern shores of Spirit Lake. Charles was my great-great-great grandfather. I grew up listening to my grandmother talk about what it was like in Arnold's Park in the 1920s. It was very special for her, having that family connection and an abundance of cousins running everything from the arcade to the Queen steamboat.

Chuck Zehnder		12-Aug-2013 03:30
My folks operated the Manhattan Beach Resort in the late 50s, so I spent my summers there running the boat livery when it was on the south side and then moved to the point. We even had the old wooden boats shown in two of these photos! Lived in Arnolds Park as a little kid during WW II, so remember lots of this. Loved looking at these. If I run across any others, I WILL get them to you!

J.W. deYoung		14-Jul-2013 18:23
I found these post cards while trying to find out what happened to that wonderful Catholic Camp Our Lady of the Lake. When was it obliterated in favor of the road around the south side of the Lake? I'm indebted to whomever said it first, they were so right, ".....change is inevitable, progress is not! I'm sorry the Camp is no longer there. It was a great experience for a boy of 10.

Jennifer		11-Dec-2012 07:25
I came to Okoboji in 1999, relocated via my job. Lived there for 3 yrs and had the opportunity to play on a woman's golf league at Okoboji View. Beautiful area. The lessons I learned playing golf with what I now call 'The Women of Okoboji' have served me well. From these ladies I learned about sportsmanship, grace and humor. Priceless. Jen

Leah Hess Studer		02-Dec-2012 16:11
Wow this is really nice. I remember spending Christmas at my grandparents cottages. Hess Cottages. When I was 13 I cleaned the cottages to make enough money to fly to California. Many very good memories. Thank you so much for sharing. Is there a way to get copies of this wonderful walk down memory lane?

Pete Hopley		10-Oct-2012 01:39
I was trying to remember the view from our place on the south shore of Spirit Lake looking over at Templar Park. I use to water ski and sail in front of it thinking how mystical it was. The photos of AP are awesome (all are great for that matter). The Roof Gardens in the 60's and 70's was so much fun. I shared this website with my Mother and siblings. I hope to make prints of the photos to put in my condo here in Hawaii. The lake water that runs trough my blood has evolved to salt water. Becuase of the lake life style I could not escape the need to live on the water in my later part of life (51). When I go back to visit family I try to get up to the Great Lakes of Iowa. Thank you so much for your time and effort in shring these treasures!

tim		21-Aug-2012 01:03
Wow what memories... trying to remember the name of the Arnold's Park roller coaster in the '60's... Saw the photo of it as the 'Thriller'. Was that always the name??? Thanks so much...... Tim

Monte Brown		16-Aug-2012 23:31
The Hess Cottages where my grandparents place and we lived in one of the cottages for a year. Brings back good memories

TimmyD		12-Jul-2012 16:24
I was looking for a picture of the old Hi Ho Club. Does anyone have one? The pictures are fantastic!

Becky Spaulding		12-Aug-2011 20:18
I just happened to type in Hess Cottages and found my Great Grandparents cabins on here!! It was neat to see what they looked liked for unfortuantly I don't rmember them as a child. Probably because we stayed at their house instead of the cabins. It was funny to see the pics labeled "bathing in the Lake" because I remember my grandma washing her hair in the lake. Thanks for the memories. I also, as my Uncle Dennis mentioned below , would like a copy of that picture. How can I get one?

Dennis Champlin		11-Aug-2011 01:07
I was so excited to see the postcard for Hess Modern Cottages. Frank and Grace Hess were my grandparents and we kids spent untold summers and holidays in that house and those cottages. Is there ant chance you could get my a high quality copy of that card? Or a possibility you may want to sell that one??

Mike Johnson		30-Apr-2011 01:49
What great memories I have of that area. My folks, my brother and I came up and used to stay at the Oak Hill cabins between 1955 and 1958. I remember the worm farm they used to have there by the Oak Hill lodge. My dad bought a used Chris Craft from Mr Echman (spelling), who used to own a boat place there back in 1957 and we put it up on the shore on boards, refinished it, replace the old 65 horse engine and had a ball. I sincerely enjoyed the times we had there. I can't thank you enough for these photos.

alisha66		02-Dec-2010 09:30
The entire gallery is really beautiful. Dixon Park Beach has a windy aspect. Dixon Park Beach is really beautiful and a good choice for the tourist in the Newcastle attraction. http://www.travelaustralia360.com/newcastle-city-australia.html

M.G. Miller		08-Sep-2010 03:15
Thank you for posting the wonderful photo's and memories. Reminds me of my grandparents who talked about all the good times they had there. They've been gone for some time now

charlie lange		05-Sep-2010 06:54
Great collection. sadly, the best days of that area are behind it

Steve D		12-Jul-2010 13:49
Really enjoyed the visual trip back in time. Born and raised in Everly, spent early childhood summers in my grandparents cottage on the north shore of Spirit Lake. So many memories of catching buckets of bullheads, trolling across the lake in a skiff with a sometimes working motor. Later years we spent summers in Gees Cottages just west of the park. A little bittersweet traveling there with the Roof Garden gone, but still HOME. Thanks for the efforts in this site!

jerry sprague		11-Jun-2010 00:17
The pictures are AWESOME! Thanks for Posting. My Mom and Dad owned Red's cafe in the 70's and it was called Don and Donna's and the place next door once Tonys Pizza. My brother Jim operated the Pizza cellar in the basement of the old Red's cafe. It was the ultimate hangout for all the kids during the 70's. Some of my best memories as a teen were spent there. Thanks for taking me down memory lane!

Marilyn Mathews		06-Apr-2010 05:20
I grew up in Spirit Lake and my father ran the Dime Store there for over 45 years starting in the late forties. Being a small town that swelled into the thousands in the summer made growing up interesting. Saw many changes at the park but none so sad as the buring and removal of the Roof Garden. My husband was lucky enough to play there at one time but we were too young to remember all of the big bands that played there. I think there is a website somewhere that lists the bands that played in little ole Iowa. The Roof was the place to be on Sat. night. Thanks again Brian!

Guest		02-Apr-2010 03:24
I've been collecting as well but it looks like you have the same one's I do - have you been outbidding me on e-bay?? Great collection - I may still have a couple that aren't here but the old bridge on the grade are the ones I really wanted and they just got too expensive. Great to see those and the ice plant on display. Marilyn Mathews Wachal

Jacob J. Segerhammar		23-Mar-2010 15:58
It is great to find images of the place where my maternal grandparents first met, and spent "wonderful days at the beach, dancing at the Roof Garden and moonlighting," as he later wrote. My grandfather, John C. Hoffman, was visiting his friend Ray Winegar, who was living in a cabin near Kruse's Beach and playing jazz with the Frenchy Graffolier Band at the Roof Garden. Thanks for posting these wonderful pictures! ~Jacob John Segerhammar

Carl H. Ross		16-Feb-2010 19:23
This is a super site Brian. You are to be commended! My dad, Bob Ross and Uncle Keith, owned Vacation Village from 1948 to 1985. My grand father Hobart Ross, owned Manhattan Beach Resort from sometime in the '30's to late 30's or very early 40's (not quite sure on those dates). So there are lots of postcards we, especially my brother Larry, can dig up and contribute. I am buying your postcard book today!--Carl Ross

lindasolmonson		10-Jan-2010 22:26
These photos are wonderful! We both have great memories of the lakes...especially the Roof Garden! We will pass them along to family and friends.

Berkley Bedell		08-Jan-2010 15:59
What great memories. I particularly enjoyed the picture of the Manhattan Beach Hotel. I can barely remember going there for a Sunday meal when I was very young, and the picture of the Inn dock with the diving tower. Mrs Irving Dowdna used to take us down there to swim when I was in grade school in the 1920s. Berkley Bedell

Sandy		05-Jan-2010 20:43
Great memories for lots of people.. thanks for sharing.

Guest		05-Jan-2010 17:36
These scenes really bring back many pleasant memories of growing up at the lakes. Going to THE PARK was a treat when we were younger and a MUST as we went into our teens...and beyond. I've said that if I had a nickel for every time I skated around the oval at the Majestic I'd be rich....as it is I' m rich in many great memories!!! Thanks. Peggy (Houser) Glover-Baldock

Jerry Stockdale		31-Dec-2009 22:39
What fun to see these great old pics of Okoboji area and run the "Movie in your mind" of pleasant experiences. Thanks for that op. Jerry Stockdale

JEFF KUEHL		27-Dec-2009 16:36
WOW , COOL The late 60's still had it going on before large development. Kite skiing , fishing, sailing and diving was so unspoiled and tranquil.

mark shaffer		21-Dec-2009 21:00
Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!!

Steve Kline		08-Dec-2009 04:41
Great collection of photos, Brian. I may have some more to add of Okoboji in the 60's. Grew up in Spirit Lake. My FatherRobert Kline owned and operated the QUEEN for several years and my mother purchased the KURIO KASTLE owning it for 5 years. Lots of cool memories. Danced and listened to many famous bands in the ROOF GARDEN. Piloted the QUEEN for 5 years. Love Okoboji. Thank you for collecting these to share.

Guest		25-Nov-2009 02:01
GREAT fun seeing these pics. What changes have come about! My husband grew up in Arnolds Park and I did in Milford. Glenda Hemphill Enderson

Dick Vander Woude		13-Nov-2009 16:06
What an incredible collection. Thank you so much for this pictorial history of the place we love.

Marla Holt		12-Nov-2009 00:45
My mother and father worked at Crandall's Lodge at the same time. They met there, started dating and later were married. I love seeing all the old pictures of Spirit Lake and Okoboji. Thank You

Jenny		28-Jul-2009 16:16
My grandparents honeymoon here then bought a place which is still in our family today. I love seeing the history I can picture my grandparents there it really takes me back.

Jan Osher Lohse		28-May-2009 23:33
My Dad was a WWII Fighter Ace from Estherville. Every summer I can remember, if we were within 2000 miles from Graettinger, we would drive to see Grandma, Kate Osher. The highlight was always a trip to Arnold's Park for Caramel Corn, Frosty mugs of Root Beer, the Roller Coaster, Fun House, Tilted House?, Roller Rink and later the Roof Garden! What memories! My uncle, Chris Jensen had a home on Lake Okoboji, and my cousin would take us skiing. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.

patrick Gigliotti		24-Feb-2009 04:54
my family vacationed on Okoboji from 1919 to the early Fifties. my grandparents honeymooned at the lake when grandfather came home from WWI. My mother saw Frank Lloyd Wright at the lake in the Twenties. As a child we stayed at Weeds Resort. does anyone remember or have pix of Weeds?

Dixie (Jansen) West		16-Feb-2009 18:13
Love your site. I was born in Estherville and we moved to Milford in 1943. I visit this site about once a month to see what's new. I have cousins still living in the area. Keep up the good work! Dixie (Jansen) West

dede mcfayden-donahue		14-Jan-2009 01:18
These are absolute treasures---only those with Okoboji waters for blood truly understand how wonderful these are---even if most of them happened before me. I will share them with my family. thank you so!!

Denis Parsons		16-Aug-2008 13:47
Thanks for the memories, I was thinking about the Bug House and thought I would Google to see what was available. I sure was rewarded as you have quite an exhibit. Excellent. I spent many times there in the 40's & 50's. Again thanks. DWP Umatilla, FL.

Jeff Calvert		24-Jul-2008 22:56
Brian - thanks for the memories. My family started vacationing at Templar Park in the 40's and continued in to the 70's. We always looked forward to spending the last week of June and first week of July there. I learned to swim and water ski there. Over the years many friends and memories were made. I noticed a posting from Jim Buell. Although I have not seen him in many years, our families became friends and were regulars. I could go on but just seeing the old place again and being able to remember the "good old days" is great. Thanks.

S. Licht		12-Jul-2008 22:32
Very touching photos. My inlaws have been going to Lake Okoboji each July for almost 80 years. In fact, they met at Camp Okoboji and celebrated their 50th anniversary at camp! Our family is the third generation for visiting the same waterfront cabins and travel from all over the US to do so. What a great place to make traditions!

Ted Kizer		15-Jun-2008 14:21
Ted Kizer- Thanks a bunch for the trip down memory lane. We moved to AP in 43, We bought Kingwood from Mrs. Ring, Just up from Kruses Beach[ became Trigg's later] on East Lake. Graduated APHS in 53. The greatest place in the world for a kid to grow up.

Ken Youngberg		30-May-2008 06:43
YOUR COLLECTION IS ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!! I GREW UP ON A FARM NEAR MILFORD AND GRADUATED FROM MHS IN 1962. I HAVE LIVED IN ARIZONA NOW FOR MOST OF 45 YRS. RETIRED NOW AND LIVE IN PRESCOTT, AZ. THANKS AGAIN!! DON OLSEN SENT ME THESE. THANKS DON !!

Ruby Lee		13-Apr-2008 19:37
That is a marvelous collection of photo post cards and brought back so many memories. I have a ticket dated 1909 good for a round trip on one of the steamers....Okoboji, Queen, DesMoines, Iowa from the Okoboji Steamboat Co., F. C. Roff, Manager

DIX		22-Mar-2008 14:53
Great photos! I used to spend a lot of time at the Park, especially the old Majestic Rink! Dixie West

John Smith		18-Dec-2007 01:07
Wonderful collection. I enjoyed viewing them.

Bob Brady		25-Nov-2007 02:07
It was great to get a view of Okoboji again especially the long gone Okoboji Club and the former Terrace Park. Thank you so much. Bob Brady

Jessica		27-Jul-2007 18:58
Have you ever thought of putting these images in abook? Would love to be able to have these in my home to look at.

Jim Buell		21-Jun-2007 08:50
Great site. Thanks for posting these. My family vacationed at Templar Park starting in the 40's into the 70's and it was great to see these old postcards.

Sandy & Mark		18-Mar-2007 02:27
Do you know of any post cards of the Lakeland drive in theatre, Tony's Pizza and Strand theatres in Milford?? What GREAT MEMORIES those places have to many of us. Really enjoy your site Craig, you have a big pat on the back from us. Thanks

Guest		24-Jan-2007 05:49
Can someone please tell me what year Red's Cafe (or Red's Place) closed? Did it burn down?

Donna Cummings		21-Jan-2007 23:24
I grew up in Spirit Lake and loved seeing these old postcards - sure brought back alot of memories. Would love to have a collection like this.

Mayf Marshall		21-Jan-2007 19:20
Bud Lytle and I were at Red's in '43 or '44 the night Hafner's Boat Works burned and changed a flat tire in the parking lot just in time to follow the volunteer fire truck from across the street.

Shawn H		21-Jan-2007 15:47
I love the vast collection of photos you have. I have a home on Rabels Beach on West Lake Okoboji and LOVED to see the photo of Lazy Lagoon whick we are just south of it. Thanks for all the pictures.

jim zimmer		15-Jan-2007 20:44
enjoyed your pictures - my family vacationed in the 50s at triggs - i worked for chester and grace the summers of 57-60. i was 15-18, what a great place. thanks for the memories.

Katie		02-Jul-2006 20:33
I am an artist and have started a painting of the old Okoboji Store. I have only black & white photos. I would like to find out the color of the building. It is light on the upper portion and darker on the bottom. Perhaps you have something with color or know of someone who could help me.

Tony Gardner		11-Mar-2006 19:41
Great collection! Many I don't have in mine. I'm interested in more photos of Gateswood. Also, Parkview Resort, The Hut and the Peacock. Thanks for creating the site.

David Mednik		10-Mar-2006 05:29
I recently found two b/w photos mounted on cards: scenes of Manhattan, West Okoboji (similar to the beached boats in your photo gallery) and an over-treetop view of the windy lake with docks and an anchored sailboat. I'm interested in learning more about the lake and especially about the Manhattan Hotel. THANK YOU!

Brian Craig		19-Feb-2006 03:34
Thanks Lori, glad you enjoyed the collection and stop back for more.

Lori Rute Fortner		18-Feb-2006 19:19
I really enjoyed looking at your collection of postcards!

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