lake history
1886 map showing the location of the school. Northern area of Section 22.
In 1910 John Hintzen bought the store and moved the building onto the 80 acres of wooded land he purchased from Albert Starkey, a part of which is the present village site of Miltona. Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers built the dam at the mouth of the lake’s outlet in the 1930s during the depression. The original mouth was about 75 feet west/northwest of the dam (4737 Jerome Rd). During the Prohibition days a place named “Sweet Water Mary’s” was well known for her “special” mix. (5562 Park Irene Drive) There was once a bait shop run by Mr. Jerome located near 15515 CR 102. The first public access was on the east side of the lake and was along the creek which goes by what used to be Lynn Haven Resort (16200-16328 CR 64). (More about Lynn Haven in separate article below).
In the early 1930’s – Minnesota Senator Henrick Shipstead’s cabin on Lake Irene did not have any electricity. He asked the city of Alexandria to bring electricity to him. They told him they did not have enough power to service him. In 1934, he personally told Franklin D. Roosevelt that something should be done to bring power to rural consumers. May 11, 1935, FDR created the Rural Electrification Administration. June 1st, 1937, construction began on the first line (Shipstead-Hove Line) to serve 45 farms extending from LaGrande Township in Douglas County to the east side of Lake Irene where Senator Shipstead’s cabin was located (16570 CR 64.)
The Lake Irene Preservation Association was formed in 1983. The concern, which prompted this action, was a proposed permit to build 30 townhouses, a clubroom and swimming pool just south of the east access. The association opposed this and was successful in stopping the process. There were 14 charter members, and their dues were $50. The first president was Chet Anderson. The Vice President was Ronald Peters and Evelyn Smith was the secretary/treasurer.
1912 map showing the location of Boggy Creek (Section 26).
1950 Map of Lake Irene and surrounding properties.
“Miltona Township History” compiled by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Harfiel, Luella Erickson.
Looking Back-Miltona Village and Miltona and Spruce Hill Townships, August 2-3, 1958.1870-1958
The boathouse was originally the icehouse. My folks stored 8 to 10 aluminum fishing boats during the winter. Once fall arrived, our chore was to pull up the boats onto the shore and clean them inside and out. Once that chore was completed, we would tie a rope on the front of the boat creating a loop. We would take the loop and put it around our waist and start pulling the boat up the hill to the boathouse. Once the boats arrived at the boathouse, we would clean the bottom of the boat once more. In the spring just before the snow melted, we would pull the boats out and push as hard as we could until we reached the downhill slope to the lake. Bigger push and let them go! It was great!
The boathouse was converted into a shower and restroom for the campers to use in 1974. The structure was eventually turned it into a bunkhouse which is what it is today and is located near 16200 CR 64.
The fish house on the shore of the resort had many functions through the years. It started off as storage for fishing equipment and motors. "Smitty" (my dad's name around the lake) decided that he could sell bait. He created a couple of fish tanks, with air filters to keep the fish alive. He would get the bait from Spruce Center. The fishermen loved the idea they didn't have to go to town to get their bait.
At Smitty's Hur-E-Bac the local neighbors and especially the people working the fields would come to “cool off” with a swim. The charge was 75 cents a carload. Eventually, Smitty added a changing room to the bait house for the swimmers to change from their work clothes. Smitty's store was filled with soda pop (the old coke machine was still being used with cold running water over the glass bottles), ice cream and candy. Evelyn always had homemade pies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, or cookies for the guests to enjoy. Evelyn bought her candy from Henry's in Alexandria. The interesting part was the small candy would cost her more than a penny apiece, but she would only charge a penny. She thought it was very important for a child to be able to buy something on their own.
When working at the resort the rules were easy. Everyone on the morning shift had to be up and ready to work by 5:00 AM. One would make the 50-cup coffee and get the “round' table ready for the fishermen to come in. The rest of the morning crew went to the dock where they cleaned the insides of the boats and place the cushions, the fisherman's fishing box, and bait into the boat. The boat was tied up to the dock and ready for the guest to step into once they finished their coffee and rolls.
If anyone has additional interesting information, they can provide please email it to marcievickerman@gmail.com.