For over a century, one lakeside store has stood at the crossroads of East and West Lake Okoboji.

episode summary

episode summary

tales
from the
iowa great
lakes

Alright, you time travelers—buckle up. We don’t think we’ve ever had this many photos for a single episode... or a single place in Okoboji! But it's like we said in the episode: this has always been a vibrant shoreline.

Our journey starts in the 1860s, before the bridge connected the north and south ends of the grade. You’ll catch a glimpse of the original stores (okay, technically a skating rink!). The first swing bridge was installed in 1883, and honestly—we’d give anything to stand on that bridge and watch the world go by.

The Wilsons purchased what would become The Okoboji Store in 1890. The first color photo you’ll see is Bill Wilson (Generation 1), with one of his sons pictured just behind him. Below, you’ll find postcards from the Wilson family (cleverly produced since they also ran the post office). There’s also a wedding photo of Ed (Generation 2) and Lou Wilson, and later, family portraits on the iconic Okoboji Store porch. Don’t miss the photo of Queen and Nell—the Store’s valiant grocery horses—cooling off in West Lake just across the road.

The rest of the gallery captures everyday life at the Store and with the Wilson family through the decades. Fred and Zeke (Generation 3) took on just about every cool lake job you can imagine, from delivering groceries in a Model T to piloting speedboats (both shown below).

They eventually ran thriving businesses along the strait, but as we said in the episode, this story is about family and connection.
As you scroll to the end, you’ll see how the strait changed through the 1980s and ’90s. And yet, in so many ways, these photos—from 1860 to 2020—still feel strikingly familiar.

We’re deeply grateful to the Mau and Wilson families for opening their archives to us. Other photo credits are listed below. Remember to visit The Okoboji Store this summer! And follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest events - like killer live music! (Psst... Get the Store Burger or the Walleye Sandwich when you visit!)

Have a memory from The Okoboji Store? We’d love to hear it—send us a note at hello@okobojiproject.com!

episode info

Alright, you time travelers—buckle up. We don’t think we’ve ever had this many photos for a single episode... or a single place in Okoboji! But it's like we said in the episode: this has always been a vibrant shoreline.

Our journey starts in the 1860s, before the bridge connected the north and south ends of the grade. You’ll catch a glimpse of the original stores (okay, technically a skating rink!). The first swing bridge was installed in 1883, and honestly—we’d give anything to stand on that bridge and watch the world go by.

The Wilsons purchased what would become The Okoboji Store in 1890. The first color photo you’ll see is Bill Wilson (Generation 1), with one of his sons pictured just behind him. Below, you’ll find postcards from the Wilson family (cleverly produced since they also ran the post office). There’s also a wedding photo of Ed (Generation 2) and Lou Wilson, and later, family portraits on the iconic Okoboji Store porch. Don’t miss the photo of Queen and Nell—the Store’s valiant grocery horses—cooling off in West Lake just across the road.

The rest of the gallery captures everyday life at the Store and with the Wilson family through the decades. Fred and Zeke (Generation 3) took on just about every cool lake job you can imagine, from delivering groceries in a Model T to piloting speedboats (both shown below).

They eventually ran thriving businesses along the strait, but as we said in the episode, this story is about family and connection.
As you scroll to the end, you’ll see how the strait changed through the 1980s and ’90s. And yet, in so many ways, these photos—from 1860 to 2020—still feel strikingly familiar.

We’re deeply grateful to the Mau and Wilson families for opening their archives to us. Other photo credits are listed below. Remember to visit The Okoboji Store this summer! And follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest events. (Psst... Get the Store Burger or the Walleye Sandwich when you visit!)

Have a memory from The Okoboji Store? We’d love to hear it—send us a note at hello@okobojiproject.com!

episode info

episode info

episode source material

episode source material

  • Interviews with Jill Little, member of The Wilson Family, Alex Ewen, member of The Wilson Family, Julie Andres and Susan Mau, Co-Owners of The Okoboji Store
  • A History of Dickinson County by R.A. Smith, 1910
  • Girl on a Horse by Fred Wilson, 1990

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