178 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



The first railroad of the lake region was in operation in 1881, being 

 followed a little later by a second railroad, so that the lake region now 

 has two lines of railroad, the Rock Island from Chicago, Cedar Rapids, 

 Minneapolis, Sioux Falls and Watertown, and the Milwaukee from Des 

 Moines direct, with various connections east and west. 



The first steamer, the Favorite, was a boat about twenty-two feet long 

 and ten feet wide, occupied mostly by its engine and capable of a speed 

 enabling it to keep out of the way of a rowboat if its engine was working 

 well. The lakes now have at least a dozen large passenger boats, the 

 largest carrying not less than six hundred passengers; also innumerable 

 launches, public and private. 



Hotels have been constructed at various points around the lakes so 

 that there are abundant facilities for the care of tourists. At Arnold's 

 Park has been installed during the past few years all of the modern 

 attractions found at Coney Island and places of that character. 



Nearly the entire shore of West Okoboji has been platted with lake- 

 shore lots; back of these a street and another tier of lots facing upon 

 this street. Hundreds of cottages have been constructed along the lake 

 shore so that in passing along one of these lake-shore roads, it presents 

 the appearance of the residence portion of a city. Many cottages have 

 been constructed upon the banks of the other lakes, and at this time a plat 

 is being made extending from the south limits of the town of Spirit Lake 

 along the west bank of East Okoboji nearly to the south end of the lake, 

 laying out lots two tiers deep along the lake shore, with a graveled drive- 

 way between, making one of the most beautiful drives to be found any 

 where. 



There are good roads extending around Spirit Lake, a considerable part 

 of the distance being a few rods only from the bank of the lake and al- 

 ways within a short distance of the lake shore. Similar drives extend 

 around West Okoboji lake, and upon completion of the plat immediately 

 south of the town of Spirit Lake above mentioned, there will be a Similar 

 drive around East Okoboji lake. Iowa Magazine, No. 6, 1917, pp 3-6. 



OUR LAKES NEED PROTECTION. 

 By L. H. Pammel, Botanist. 



At the present time the state does not own, or at least owns very little 

 of shore lines of lakes in the state. Rapidly as possible the state should 

 acquire certain areas along the lake for the purpose of permitting every 

 citizen of Iowa access of the same. Complaint has been made to the 

 Conservation Board that in a number of places, at Storm Lake, Lake 

 View and Clear lake, also other places, people do not have access to the 

 lakes. This should not be the case in a great commonwealth like Iowa. 

 Certain definite areas should be purchased for park sites and these 

 should be dedicated to the people. There is a constant clamor to drain 

 the lakes and lower the water level. Mr. Hinshaw, the Fish and Game 

 warden, during the last few years, made every effort to increase the 

 depth of water. 



