American Indians called the Lakes Region home for thousands of years. They were enticed to the lakes for many reasons: the tallgrass prairie provided ample grazing for an abundance of buffalo and elk; the lakes were a flyway for flocks of migratory birds including the magnificent trumpeter swans; there were over 40 varieties of fish in the lakes; and the prairie landscape was covered with a giant garden of wildflowers.

Early European explorers traded with the Oneota (Ioway & Otoe) and the Dakota Sioux Nations in the region. People still find arrowheads and other Indian artifacts on the lakeshore and surrounding areas. Hunters and trappers preceded the settlers who arrived in 1856.

Tragically, in 1857, 42 of the lakes' first settlers were killed in a conflict known as The Spirit Lake Massacre. Thirteen-year old Abbie Gardner survived three month's captivity and years later returned to the area to share her story.

Today the Gardner log cabin still stands. A pioneer burial plot, a 55 foot tall granite monument and visitor center complement the site. The cabin, operated by the State Historical Society, is located two blocks to the west in Pillsbury Point State Park. The public is welcome to visit and learn more about the early residents.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  

A Glacial Gift
The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
Steamships of the Iowa Great Lakes
Spirit Lake Massacre Monument
Hartley Iowa Veterans' Memorial, a War Memorial
Palo Alto County, IA Dragoon Trail
Benona Pierce and Clair Hovey St. John Memorial Wetlands
Sanborn Veterans Memorial, a War Memorial
Sanborn, Iowa Civil War Memorial
Sanborn Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial, a War Memorial

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.