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Posted in Iowa Parks & Gardens April 15, 2020 by Kim Magaraci

These Incredible Iowa Photos Will Transport You To The Arnold’s Park Of Yesteryear

For many Iowans, a trip to Okoboji is a longstanding family tradition. Do you remember what Arnolds Park and the area around the lake looked like when you were a kid? These vintage photos of Arnolds Park are sure to take you back in time.

Do you remember taking the steamboat across the lake to get to the amusement park?

The Queen steamboat was a top-of-the-line vessel when she first took to the water. It was a real treat to travel to the park this way!

It is truly unbelievable how much the shoreline has changed over the past century. I think the views are a little better now - do you agree?

State Pier has changed a lot over the years, and this photo from the 1930s shows what it looked like before all of the renovations.

This photo dates back to 1910! Paddlers took to the lake for a romantic afternoon on the water.

Way back then, the carousel was pretty... authentic. Did you ever ride the ponies?

The classic water boat ride was always a favorite. Today, kids can still play in these boats! They're preserved in the Arnolds Park Museum.

The smell of the Dodgem Cars building will forever be a memory - I don't think it's possible to forget!

Heading over to the park years ago meant junk food like hamburgers, malts, and fries. Well, it still does... but nowadays, most of us pay a little more attention to what we eat!

In this picture, sunbathers enjoy the weather and kids are playing with a water see-saw that looks like a blast.

Many of us have fond memories of our very first concert at the Roof Garden. They're still putting on great shows to this day!

Even back then, people complained about the lines! You can see the old Caterpillar Ride in this photo from the 1920s.

What was your favorite way to spend the day when you hung out in Arnolds Park? Did you love the beach and shoreline, or were you always looking for thrills?

For more beautiful vintage photos of Iowa life, read 10 Photos From Iowa’s History That Are A Fascinating Window Into The Past.

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Address: Arnolds Park, IA, USA

Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com