Et cetera : The nearly-forgotten history of Minne Estema Park

Just about every day I drive past Minne Estema and never really gave it much thought, until.....there was a brief discussion on our Facebook page about a steamboat being part of our history in Vinton, and I believe someone mentioned that Minne Estema used to be a resort at one time.

112 acres was purchased back in 1897, on the east side of Fish Lake. It was described then as one of the "prettiest pieces of wooded landing the county". George Knapp had decided to break it up into 35 lots each measuring 40x130 foot. The lots created a little town called Knapp City. George had the little town laid out in 3 blocks and 4 streets named Knapp, Lake, Whipple, and McElroy.

The plan was to create a resort drawing people to Vinton. The resort was located a mere "51 minute ride and 6 and 2/3 miles north of Vinton". In the early days, it was thought that there were 3 Indian Mounds in the area of the town, and because of that, he named the resort, "Park Minne Estema", Minne Estema means, "sleeping waters". In May of 1901 the park was open and plans were made to build a hotel that would be 24x60 feet. They did build a 2 story hotel. On the first floor was a dining room measuring 40x20, also on the first floor was an office, bedroom and kitchen. The second floor contained a large parlor and sleeping rooms. The building was surrounded on 3 sides with an 8 foot veranda and completed in 1908. It appears that the Thursday night, late nights may have originated here. On Thursday evenings, the dining halls were cleared to bring in an orchestra and dances were held. In addition, there was an 18 foot launch that held 12 people, dances, games, music, boating, fishing, archery, parties, swimming, strolling through the woods and relaxation in cottages that had been built. The activities closed down at 9:00 p.m. each evening. In 1903 the rates were from $1-2.00 a day according to the accommodations furnished. the weekly rate was $5.00 plus 35 cents for all meals except the Sunday meal which went for 50 cents. Sources: Martha Long who took the time to clip articles from The Vinton Eagle Newspaper, 1897-1910