This season finale was such a joy to make. It is full of music, summer air, and more than a little mischief. Fun fact: with the exception of the intro, every song you hear in this episode was recorded before July 1926. We wanted the soundtrack to feel as immersive as the story itself.
We begin at the Arnolds Park Depot, the arrival point for visitors from Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, and beyond. Whether you were staying for a week or just the day, the depot was where countless lake vacations began and ended.
episode info
This season finale was such a joy to make. It is full of music, summer air, and more than a little mischief. Fun fact: with the exception of the intro, every song you hear in this episode was recorded before July 1926. We wanted the soundtrack to feel as immersive as the story itself.
We begin at the Arnolds Park Depot, the arrival point for visitors from Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, and beyond. Whether you were staying for a week or just the day, the depot was where countless lake vacations began and ended.
episode info
Of course, no conversation about 1926 would be complete without Prohibition. While we can't show you a photograph of a speakeasy in the Iowa Great Lakes (we're on the hunt!), you can read this article on Iowa's Prohibition history. (Did you know Prohibition in Iowa actually started in 1916?!)
Also, check out classic films like Paper Moon, The Untouchables, or Some Like It Hot for a Hollywood take on the Midwest in this era.
Next stop is fashion. You can watch this archival reel from a 1926 fashion showcase to see how people wearing the latest fashions dressed for a night out at the Casino. Of course, just like today, not everyone followed the fashions exactly, and many brought their own style to the dance floor.
A short walk from the depot took you to Benit and Peck's Amusement Parks. Listen to our first episode about the history of Arnolds Park to really dig into this moment.
Folks enjoyed hot days with ice cream, rides, and lake views. On a summer Saturday, the park was buzzing, perfect for an afternoon stop before getting ready for the evening’s dance.
A short walk from the depot took you to Benit and Peck's Amusement Parks. Listen to our first episode about the history of Arnolds Park to really dig into this moment.
Folks enjoyed hot days with ice cream, rides, and lake views. On a summer Saturday, the park was buzzing, perfect for an afternoon stop before getting ready for the evening’s dance.
Getting around the lakes was part of the experience. The elegant Des Moines, the Sioux City by the Inn dance pavilion, and the Queen steamer ferried dancers, families, and tourists across the water.
Of course, no conversation about 1926 would be complete without Prohibition. While we can't show you a photograph of a speakeasy in the Iowa Great Lakes (we're on the hunt!), you can read this article on Iowa's Prohibition history. (Did you know Prohibition in Iowa actually started in 1916?!)
Also, check out classic films like Paper Moon, The Untouchables, or Some Like It Hot for a Hollywood take on the Midwest in this era.
Next stop is fashion. You can watch this archival reel from a 1926 fashion showcase to see how people wearing the latest fashions dressed for a night out at the Casino. Of course, just like today, not everyone followed the fashions exactly, and many brought their own style to the dance floor.
Getting around the lakes was part of the experience. The elegant Des Moines, the Sioux City by the Inn dance pavilion, and the Queen steamer ferried dancers, families, and tourists across the water.
The heart of our evening is the Casino. We have included a view from the water, the front entrance, and an aerial postcard. Imagine it lit up for a summer night, with a full ten-piece orchestra playing waltzes, foxtrots, and the occasional Charleston.
We also added a photo of The Inn, whose dance hall was actually built over the water. You can read more about these and other fabulous Okoboji resorts in Jonathan Reed's book, Lost Resorts of The Iowa Great Lakes.
It’s hard to believe that the world we’ve just stepped into was here 100 years ago. The train whistles, the dance halls, the crowded steamers, and the cool lake air are all part of a moment that feels both distant and familiar.
We loved closing out the season with a night in 1926, building the music, stories, and images to make it as immersive as possible. Thank you for coming along with us — and here’s to more nights out, in every decade.
Not everyone arrived by boat. The roads around the lakes in 1926 were mostly gravel. Pictures here show just how different travel looked from today. Dusty, bumpy, and a lot slower. But with the right car and the windows down, it could be part of the adventure.
It’s hard to believe that the world we’ve just stepped into was here 100 years ago. The train whistles, the dance halls, the crowded steamers, and the cool lake air are all part of a moment that feels both distant and familiar.
We loved closing out the season with a night in 1926, building the music, stories, and images to make it as immersive as possible. Thank you for coming along with us — and here’s to more nights out, in every decade.
Not everyone arrived by boat. The roads around the lakes in 1926 were mostly gravel. Pictures here show just how different travel looked from today. Dusty, bumpy, and a lot slower. But with the right car and the windows down, it could be part of the adventure.
The heart of our evening is the Casino. We have included a view from the water, the front entrance, and an aerial postcard. Imagine it lit up for a summer night, with a full ten-piece orchestra playing waltzes, foxtrots, and the occasional Charleston.
We also added a photo of The Inn, whose dance hall was actually built over the water. You can read more about these and other fabulous Okoboji resorts in Jonathan Reed's book, Lost Resorts of The Iowa Great Lakes.
