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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Dover Museum to present on History of Geode State Park
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Dave Smith returns to Dover Museum Sunday, Aug. 24 to tell the history of Geode State Park. Dave’s family is well known for its work in establishing the Geode as the Iowa State Rock. Geode Industries was a vibrant business in New London. Their invention of the rock tumbler promoted interest in rocks, mineral and lapidary work around the world.
Known as “Iowa’s Outdoor Gem,” Geode State Park joined the Iowa park system in 1937. The area was always popular for picnics and hiking. The park has grown to its current size through purchase of land and donations of acreages. A number of groups have contributed to clearing trees, creating roads and building structures. Many of the structures are of historic interest being built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The older buildings used dolomite limestone from the Anamosa quarry.
Dave is a founder of Friends of Geode and was its first President. This group formed when the lake was recently drained and underwent sediment removal and significant recreational improvements. One of the primary goals of the Friends is to restore the concession stand. Hopefully it will once again rent kayaks, canoes and possibly paddle boats to visitors. The concession stand is built of Stone City (Anamosa) dolomite limestone in keeping with the original buildings of the CCC era
There is an airstrip on the west side of the lake. People actually flew private planes to the park. The air strip is now closed. It is a sanctuary for the endangered timber rattlesnake. The area was also known as Rattlesnake Den. As the lake filled, the snakes were driven form their nests in the limestone walls. The Iowa State prisoner trustees tell stories of battling them as they tried to get in the boats. The descriptions of the size of these reptiles may have been a bit exaggerated.
Much of the published history begins with the park joining the state park system in 1937. However, there were nine acres named Danville State Park prior to 1937. It is believed by many that this acreage is the origin of Geode State Park. The later land purchases and donations surrounded this small beginning. The park is now 1640 acres.
There will be time for questions and visiting with Dave after his presentation. Geode State Park is an important recreational site in Southeast Iowa. It deserves your support.
