Dave Smith presents History of Geode State Park at Dover Museum

Dave Smith represents the third generation of the Smith family. He continues the family’s deep commitment to Geode State Park and its past, present and future. His presentation was a unique combination of fact, childhood memories, and the resounding need for an ongoing community presence anxious to preserve the park. Dave included information on geology of the area and invention and development of the rock tumblers which were the foundation of the family business. He also included some fun when he brought his geode cracker and some Moroccan geodes to crack. The audience helped Dave complete the program with stories and memories of the park from their past.

Dover museum brought out its page displays featuring the park and its CCC days. The park has a Danville address but resides largely in Henry County. A dedicated group of Danville and New London leaders dedicated years and unknown hours making sure the park became a fact. The idea for a park began in the early 1930s when the entire nation was in the throes of the Great Depression. The park was not officially dedicated into the Iowa State Parks system until June 20, 1951. The leaders were in constant communication with the state to plan the park and keep the project moving. The initial lands were under state control in the late 30s.

Residents of Henry and Des Moines county raised $4,800 for the first land purchase. Dave estimates the amont would equal $65,000 today. It is hard to imagine raising that much money in a time when corn sold for 5 cents a bushel. Ed Smith became Development Chairman of the Park. Known as E.N. Smith was Dave’s grandfather. He and Dave’s father, Earl suggested the name Geode State Park replacing the original designation of Danville State Park. Ed also helped facilitate the purchase of an additional 229 acres of land. One needs to mention that Don Bell, a prominent New London and Southeast Iowa attorney, was very instrumental in clearing titles and making sure the land acquisitions would stand the test of time. Don was also a dedicated member of the Development Committee.

Known as “Iowa’s Outdoor Gem,” the park contains many historic sites. The first road in Iowa, Agency Road, ran from Burlington to Agency Iowa (Indian reservation) through the park. Remains of the road still exist although some of it is covered by the lake. The help of the Civilian Conservation Corps was critical to the development of the park. workers. Their work allowed for the completion of entry roads, a stone picnic shelter, and habitat management on the steeply wooded tract near the South Skunk River. The CCC also started work on a park residence and maintenance building. World War II intervened.

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There is no way to cover all that the audience learned during Dave’s presentation. Skipping ahead many years, the lake was drained to remove sediment. The DNR planned to tear down the historic concession stand at the beach. Dave stepped forward and created Friends of Geode, a non-profit group dedicated to all things Lake Geode. As its first president, Dave , gathered a group of interested volunteers. Hopefully the restored concession stand will be ready for dedication next spring and be open for the coming summer season.

Before leaving the account of this presentation, it is imperative that one knows Ed Smith is responsible for the designation of the geode as Iowa’s state rock! In 1967 the General Assembly made it official. Ed’s persuasive powers are evident. Considering that geodes are found mostly in the southeast corner of Iowa in what is known as the Warsaw Formation, Mississippian Age. The rock may not be collected in the park but there are many sites around the park and Keokuk has a Geode Fest the last weekend in September. Many opportunities are available at the fest to collect in SE Iowa, NE Missouri west central Illinois.