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Lake IDA History
For those looking to dive into the rich heritage of the Lake Ida area and greater Douglas County, we are incredibly fortunate to have three world-class historical resources right in our backyard. You can explore the deep-rooted stories of our region’s early pioneers and lakeside resort culture at the Douglas County Historical Society, celebrate Minnesota's storied lake traditions and classic watercraft at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum, and uncover the fascinating, mysterious history of early North American exploration at the Kensington Runestone Museum.
This is an 1886 Ida Township plat book map. It shows the original creek outlet at the southeast end of the lake, and the current creek on E. H. Alden’s land - he and his sons dug the current straight creek in 1869 or so, and created a millpond for their mill by Lake Charlie. Enoch A. Alden was a direct Mayflower descendant of John and Priscilla Alden. There are plat maps of landowners around Lake Ida at the Douglas County Historical society from 1886 up to 1960’s.
This colorized postcard image from the 1930's is the view from Bedman's Beach on the Southwest corner of the lake looking Northward. The little bump of shore on the far right of the horizon is Stony Point.
Before becoming Pilgrim Point County Park, this beautiful spot was the Pilgrim Point Bible Camp, the Wickiup Club fishing camp, and originally, Sandy Point. Pictured here in 1901 are Edward Jr., Agnes, and Grandma Prichett at the Wickiup Club, enjoying a day at the lake in their traditional long dresses and elegant hats. The photo also shows a much larger sandy shoreline than we see today. The landscape changed significantly in the 1970s after the DNR constructed a dam on the lake's south end, raising the water level and covering much of the original point. Below you will find a collection of historical accounts offering a window into the evolution of the Lake Ida area, tracing its roots from early settlements in the mid-1800s to its modern status as a beloved recreational community. Over the decades, the lake's resources supported various local industries, including a shoreline brick factory, a stream-powered flour mill, and winter ice-cutting operations that supplied the community with early refrigeration. As the 20th century progressed, the accounts document the lake's transition into a popular vacation destination, noting the establishment of early resorts, the evolution of Sandy Point into the "Wickiup" estate and eventually a church camp, and the gradual shift from traditional rowboats to modern motorboats. Alongside these cultural shifts, the memories also chronicle significant environmental and infrastructural changes over the years, such as the intentional raising of the lake's water levels which ultimately covered early sandbars and altered natural fish spawning beds. |
