Mini-Wakan State Park is located north of Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States. The 20-acre (8.1 ha) park is along the north shore of Big Spirit Lake. It provides space for picnicking, hiking, biking, swimming, boating and fishing on the lake. The park is connected to the Dickinson County trail system in Iowa and the Jackson County trail system in Minnesota. It was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[2]

Mini-Wakan State Park
Map showing the location of Mini-Wakan State Park
Map showing the location of Mini-Wakan State Park
Location of Mini-Wakan State Park in Iowa
Map showing the location of Mini-Wakan State Park
Map showing the location of Mini-Wakan State Park
Mini-Wakan State Park (the United States)
LocationDickinson, Iowa, United States
Coordinates43°29′51″N 95°06′12″W / 43.49750°N 95.10333°W / 43.49750; -95.10333
Area20 acres (8.1 ha)
Elevation1,404 ft (428 m)[1]
Established1934
Governing bodyIowa Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteMini-Wakan State Park
Mini-Wakan State Park Historic District
Built1934
Built byCivilian Conservation Corps
ArchitectAmos Barton Emery
Architectural styleRustic
MPSCCC Properties in Iowa State Parks MPS
NRHP reference No.10000021[2]
Added to NRHPFebruary 17, 2010

History

edit

Local residents acquired the initial 12.5 acres (5.1 ha) for Mini-Wakan.[3] Civilian Conservation Corps Company 778 began park development sometime between the beginning of June and the end of October 1933 as part of their work with the National Forest Service.[4] Their work included grading for a road, building the picnic and parking area, the stone gate pillars, and placing riprap along the lake shore. Work on the shelter house was completed in 1934 after they were transferred to the National Park Service. The park was put under the jurisdiction of Gull Point State Park in 1936.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Mini-Wakan State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. April 30, 1979. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "History of the Mini-Wakan State Park". Spirit Lake Protective Association. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Rebecca Conard. "Pillsbury Point State Park Overlook District". National Park Service. Retrieved May 31, 2016.