The Okoboji Project

Stories, memories, and milestones from the first 100 years of Arnolds Park.

Visit every era of Arnolds Park's history with photos on our blog.

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Guests: Toby Shine, Okoboji Classic Cars

From transit to competition, sailing has always been a favorite way to experience The Iowa Great Lakes.

Dive deeper into Okoboji's nautical history from every decade on our blog.

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Guests: Steve Avery, C Scow Sailor and Lawyer

How one of the Midwest’s oldest summer camps keeps the flame of tradition alive and fosters growth in every camper.

Explore decades of summer fun with Camp Foster's rich history. Also, please consider donating to Camp Foster to support their incredible work.

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Guests: Andrew Fisher, CEO of the Bedell Family YMCA
Josh Carr, Director of Camp Foster

120 years later, it's a museum, a public park, and a groundbreaking laboratory.

Explore how The Lakeside Laboratory evolved over its history, from the first photos of the lab to contemporary walking guides. Also, please consider donating to Friends of The Lakeside Lab to support their incredible work.

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Guests: Dr. Mary Skopec, Executive Director of The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
Sue Richter, Director Emeritus of Friends of The Lakeside Laboratory

Louis Armstrong. Johnny Cash. The Beach Boys. The Roof Garden hosted decades of chart-toppers on the shores of West Lake Okoboji -- and inspired generations of musicians.

Explore more photos and stories about The Roof Garden on our website. You can also find our curated Roof Garden playlist on Spotify!

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Guests: Tom Tourville, Local Music Historian and Writer
Rebecca Peters, Local Music Historian and Writer

Discover the true story behind The Spirit Lake Massacre as two historians share accounts from those who lived through it.

Buy Dr. Beck's book, Inkpaduta: Dakota Leader, on Amazon and Birchbark Books in Minneapolis.

Explore more photos and stories about The Gardner Cabin, one of Iowa's first tourist sites, on our website. And sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project!

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Guests: Dr. Paul Beck, History Professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College
Mary Dreier, Director of The Dickinson County Museum

True stories (and tall tales!) from thousands of years of Okoboji fishing.

Explore more photos and stories from Okoboji's epic fishing history on our website.

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Guests: John Grovesnor, Professional Fishing Guide
Mary Dreier, Director of The Dickinson County Museum
Clark Lingbeek, Owner of Lost Gar and Paddlefish Bar
Blain Andera, CEO of The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce

How a mythical university brought a community together… and funded essential services for The Iowa Great Lakes.

Explore more photos and stories from The University of Okoboji on our website.

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Guests: Emil Richter and Matt Richter from The Three Sons.
Follow updates from the store that started it all on Facebook and Instagram.

Why do hundreds of thousands of people flock to a little town in northwest Iowa every summer? The Okoboji Project sits down with historians, story-ellers, and local legends to uncover the rich history of The Iowa Great Lakes.

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