The Okoboji Project
The Iowa Great Lakes story is a vibrant quilt woven from the threads of American history: railroad tycoons and boat builders, the U.S.-Dakota War, every beat of American music culture, evolutions in biology, and countless summer memories.
Episodes
In northwest Iowa, The Flood of ’93 left more than damage. In 2024, those lessons rose with the water.
Watch The Sandbag Summer and explore more stories on our blog.
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Donate to Spencer's Flood Relief Disaster Fund.
Launched by the Spencer Chamber Foundation, this fund supports local organizations h...
The Queen isn’t a monarch—she’s a boat. A moving landmark, carrying the spirit of Okoboji. But her story is anything but smooth sailing.
Explore more stories from The Queen and The Queen II on our blog.
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Get your tickets to ride The Queen II this summer. And make plans to stop by the Maritime Museum in...
The Loon Lake Cemetery was active for just fifty years, but a single myth reshaped its memory. We trace the records, names, and lives behind the legend.
Explore more stories from The Loon Lake Cemetery on our blog.
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Visit The Jackson County Historical Society in Lakefield, Minnesota. And consider makin...
What do bike trails, an art center, and (several!) clean water projects have in common? A group of locals who rolled up their sleeves four decades ago.
Explore some of our favorite community projects supported by the Foundation on our blog.
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Love Okoboji? So do we. Visit The Okoboji Foundation’s websit...
For over a century, one lakeside store has stood at the crossroads of East and West Lake Okoboji. In this episode, we trace the history of The Okoboji Store, the families whose stories are built into its walls, and what it reveals about how this place has changed—and what’s stayed the same.
Explore photos from every era of The Okoboji Store on our blog.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okob...
How did a community of fewer than 20,000 residents build an art center that feels like it belongs in a big city? The Pearson Lakes Art Center's history is a testament to Okoboji's deep creative spirit.
Explore the artists and people intertwined with the Pearson Lakes Art Center's history on our blog.
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The biggest question... WHEN IS SEASON 2 COMING? We got answers to that and plenty more!
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Guests: Co-Creators Ryan Maris + Emma Myhre
Hop in the Chevy! We're taking you to the hottest spots in town for our season finale!
Meet the whole cast of characters and explore these incredible party destinations on our blog.
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Guests: Bob Boettcher and Don Gregerson
Six weeks. $7 million. How did a small Iowa community save one of the country's oldest amusement parks?
Explore news coverage of Save the Park's thrilling story, plus Sue's iconic photo, on our blog.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
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Guests: Sue Richter, The Three Sons<...
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.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
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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.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
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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.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
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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.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
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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!
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and n...
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 Proje...
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 Dic...
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.<...
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.
Subscribe to The Okoboji Project newsletter to see bonus content from Okoboji's storied history.
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