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Period: to
Templar Park Timespan
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The Knights
In the year 1884 the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar bought ten acres of land on what was known as Kingman's Point -
First Building
They held their first meeting on the ground. It was held in a tent and a little later a building and dining room was erected with offices on the first floor. -
Destroyed
This building was destroyed by a tornado in 1898. -
New Building
A new frame building was built to shelter the Knights and their families, building first a north wing with fifty rooms, later a south wing with like number of room and lastly a wing on the west with a rotunda (a round room or building) in the center. This gave the Knights 150 rooms. They also made a large frame structure. The lower floor was used for dining room, the upper floor for an assembly room, with the west wing being used for kitchen, and quarters for the caretaker. -
Again
In June 1917, all the buildings were burned to the ground leaving only a building used as headquarters for Grand officers. The fire also destroyed nearly 200 trees. -
Additions
The Knights added to their land until thay had forty-two acres along the shores of Spirit Lake. Many cottages were also built near the park. -
Yacht Club
The Okoboji Yacht Club used to have social parties at member's homes and other places and one was held at Templar Park -
Torn Down
Templar Park eventually got very old and run-down. It was not taken care of and they had to tear it down. This sign at the entrance of Templar Park is all that is left of the original place.
