Camp History

The site which the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji is located was purchased by a lumberman from Spencer, IA by the name of Franklin Floete in 1917. The property was purchased from the Harker family who delivered milk from their dairy to the homes around the lake during the turn of the century. Mr. Floete built one of the most elaborate mansions in the Midwest consisting of 32 lavishly furnished rooms. This mansion which is said to have cost a total of $135,000.00 in a time when the average worker was paid $4 or $5 per day! Many buildings from this period in the camp’s history are still in use today. For instance, the carriage house was converted into our current Dining Hall and the ice house has become our Dugout. However, shortly after Mr. Floete died in the fall of 1922, the mansion furniture was shipped to California and while the property was maintained, it was a mere shadow of the social life of former years. In the fall of 1945 the mansion and adjoining grounds were sold to a group of wealthy Midwestern businessmen. The men planned on developing the property into a membership only club to be called the Okoboji Club. Work began immediately to remodel the mansion. It was also during this period that the Lodges and Duplex cabins were constructed. The Okoboji Club open on Memorial Day of 1946 and hosted several big names including Babe Ruth. However, on April 14, 1951 a fire of undetermined origin broke out at around 2:00 p.m. in the mansion and by 5:00 p.m. high winds had driven the fire so that all that remained of the mansion was smoldering ruins. Four years later, on July 1, 1954, the idea of purchasing the property came before the Sioux City Presbytery at a meeting in Cherokee, Iowa. The property was priced at $65,000.00 and the original Articles of Incorporation for the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji were dated August 19, 1954. The first summer of camping was held in 1956, and since then campers and adults alike have come to rejuvenate beside the water of West Lake Okoboji allowing God to touch them in a way that changes their lives.

Summary from "From Vision to Reality"
by Mary L. Frahm

 

A Brief History of the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji
Circa 1910	A spring served as a drinking water source for the Harker family farm that was located on the property.
1917	Franklin Floete, a Spencer, IA lumberman, buys the property and turns it into an elegant country estate.
1922	Franklin Floete dies.
1927	President Calvin Coolidge considers the Floete mansion as the summer White House, but decides against it because of the many access points to the camp .
1945	The mansion and adjoining grounds are sold to a group of wealthy mid-western businessmen by the Floete estate.
1946	On Memorial Day, the Okoboji Club opens it doors and four duplex cabins built.
1951	A fire of undetermined origin, burned the mansion to the ground.
1954	Camp is purchased for $87,000. This consisted of 31 acres of land with 750’ of lakeshore plus a number of buildings, bedding, and furniture.
1956	Camp is ready for its first season. Dr. A. Howard Lindquist from Fort Dodge Church was the first camp pastor.
1957	The patio was constructed. Worship and meetings held at the patio before the Chapel and Rec Hall were constructed.
1959	Chapel-Rec Hall built.
1960	Staff cabin, now the office, was built
1964	Dining Hall addition
1968	Classroom complex built
1969	Manse was built
1973-82	Oak Cabins renovated.
1975	Rec Hall renovation.
1978	28 acres south of camp purchased.
1997	Zipline and Blob installed
2002	"New" Nurse's cabin added.
2003-05	Director's Cabins renovated.
2005	Archery Range added, Low Challenge Course elements built: TP Shuffle, Electric Fence, Lean on Me, Serum Crossing, Storm on the Sea, Power Grid, Spider's Web.
2006	Water Trampoline added to beach, Climbing Wall constructed, Low Challenge Course elements built: Climbing Wall and Zig Zag.
2008	Construction started on Lakeview Lodge, previous boys (oak) cabins moved, shower house torn down
2009	Dining Hall & offices moved to Lakeview Lodge, old office converted and renovated back to the "Cottage", main floor of Lakeview Lodge completed, Red Oak & White Oak Renovated