ARNOLD PARK, Iowa (KTIV) – From area boat builders to the history of the original Queen and Queen II, Okoboji is celebrating the history of classic boats that once dotted the Iowa Great Lakes.
While Arnold Park’s lakefront has seen impressive growth and new life in recent years, one section of the area still celebrates the rich history of the Iowa Great Lakes: the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, which still tells the story of its rich maritime past through exhibits on shipwrecks, boatbuilding and the formation of the lakes.
“There’s a lot of history here because the lake attracted people, the first settlers came and discovered the abundance of hunting and fishing, which in turn attracted more people,” museum curator Mary Kennedy said.
Pictured below is something called the 30 Boat. This is a 1939 Chris Craft found by divers that was originally used as a water taxi and a means of boating experiences. This boat was discovered in 1994 and was in very good condition when the original engine was disassembled.
“Boat No. 30” was recovered and preserved in a museum (KTIV).
Another exhibit is a section on Hafer Craft Boats. Hafer is a brand of boats similar to Chris Craft and other Craft boat lines, and in 1895 a man named John Hafer arrived in East Okoboji and Spirit Lake and built Craft boats. This production continued until 1968.
“Of course, the early boats were all made out of wood, so people would build their own little boathouses to protect their boats from the elements, which is really special,” Kennedy said.
As the area continues to grow, it is hoped that history along the lake will continue.
“I was born and raised as a person with spirit, and looking back, it’s changed so much. It’s really exciting to see all the new things that are progressing and how much people love this area,” Kennedy said.
The museum is open daily from 10am in summer.
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