The Spirit Lake Protective Associate gave an update on the Mini-Wakan shelter house project at the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary regualr meeting, Wednesday, May 19.
 
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps recruited young men from towns across Iowa. In the winter of 1933 and spring of 1934, they constructed a stone shelter with 2400 square feet of floor space, two latrines, a 4.5 feet x 40 feet long stone bridge, stone benches, trails and a parking area on 12.5 acres of land purchased by the community and donated to the State of Iowa. It was designated as Mini-Wakan State Park.

Three years ago, a committee was formed to repair Mini-Wakan. The goals were to (1) restore and remodel Mini-Wakan, and (2) develop a long-term endowment to protect Mini-Wakan and the Lodge at Gull Point. To date, $750,000 has been raised to restore Mini-Wakan by next summer.