History

Timeline of the Building / Land

1880 - National Guard built a camp on the shores of Lake Pepin. Operated for 50 years (until 1930).

1930-1935 - Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) occupied the location called Camp Lakeview. To learn more about the CCC camp, check out some of their historical camp newsletters here and old photographs here.

1943 - Sportsman's Club took over the old CCC mess hall at Camp Lakeview after the CCC had moved out.

1968 - The Lake City Sportsman's Club built a new clubhouse. The Lake City Fire Department burned the old mess hall and clubhouse down.

Club History

According to the oldest records we have, we were organized as a chapter of the Izaak Walton League on March 24, 1924. The first meetings were held at City Hall and then moved to the mess hall at Camp Lakeview in the early 1930s. The club started with about 20 members. The club changed its name to the Lake City Sportsman's Club sometime between 1936 and 1942. After the CCC left the location, the club bought the building and land. At one point, the city took over ownership of the land and leased it to the club in 10-year increments.

In its early years, the club was active in raising approximately 4,000 trout at the O'Brian trout pond, Second Creek, Miller Spring, and Fred Ball's farm. The club also raised approximately 500 pheasants each year, and planted thousands of trees. The club started the Firearms Safety Program in 1955 and have sponsored it ever since that time. The club also supported the popular activity of trap shooting and built a trap house in 1943, which exists today but is not in operation. They also built a pistol range in 1959. The club regularly held live poultry raffles and public dances.

In 1958, the club joined the Minnesota Conservation Federation. After its initial charter, the club approved a new constitution in 1959 and became incorporated in the same year. During 1965, the first talk of a new building was started and we needed a more permanent lease on our land. The city only wanted to give us a 10-year lease, but a large delegation of prominent Lake City people went to City Hall and finally obtained a lease which reads that we have the property "as long as we exist as a Sportman Club." During the next two years, a fund drive netted over $13,000. We then had plans drawn up and our present building was completed in 1968. Most all labor was donated by our members. Some worked many hundreds of hours, and all money was raised by donations. The building was remodeled in 1984-1986 and received many recent renovations in 2011-2013. Most of the labor for these recent renovations was also donated.

Since 1968, our club has sponsored the Lake City Fishing Contest, some years drawing more than 1000 fishermen. In 1979, we were awarded the President's Award for Conservation Service Outstanding Achievements by the National Wildlife Federation.

In 2013, we had 180 members. We participated in raising pheasants, belong to a Pheasants Forever chapter, plant trees, and sponsor the Firearms Safety Program. We also began a 3-year project with the local DNR to improve fish habitat in Lake Pepin. We have built thirty 7x7 ft. fish cribs for this project. The cribs were placed in Lake Pepin approximately 300 yards from shore, just out from the current clubhouse. We also sponsor a $500 scholarship for a local high school senior each year. Our most popular club events these days include the annual ice fishing contest and Lenten fish frys.

Between 2010 and 2015, we have made many changes to the location to better highlight our unique location on the banks of Lake Pepin. We've built a deck, patio, and scenic overlook. We've remodeled various parts of the interior of the building, including remodeling the upstairs bar. We've expanded parking and built a new garage on the property as well. Today (Dec. 2019) we have approximately 280 members and have become a popular destination for weddings and events.

Last updated December 2019