Summertime draws visitors to Clear Lake’s beautiful campgrounds. These days State Park (est. 1925) and McIntosh State Park (est. 1943) come to mind.
These parks were just twinkles in Clear Lake’s eyes when our first campgrounds were booming. Perched on Mars Hill Drive in today’s DNR Park, the campgrounds were a popular destination. From the mid 1870’s through around 1915, the campgrounds established Clear Lake’s tourism tradition.
As word of the lake spread, demand for transportation enticed the railroad to build. Campers alighted on the platform at the foot of the hill. They brought their furniture, cook stoves and trunks of clothing for the summer season. But no bug spray. Just imagine!
Campers returned home with news of this enchanting spot. Soon Clear Lake had the nickname “The Saratoga of the West”. A Chautauqua was built bringing a lively circuit of speakers, educational lectures and musicians. Lots of music!
Among the simple wooden cabins and tents was the Oaks Hotel. From the expansive porch of the hotel on the hill, vacationers could enjoy unobstructed views of the sandy beach.
Swimmers cooled off by zooming down the toboggan on sleds, teeter tottering in the water or catching a lake breeze on “The Princess” excursion boat.
Clear Lake was on the map and continues to thrive today.
Photos from the Clear Lake Public Library History collection.
