Fly Down With History at Astro City — Crescent Beach Family Resort Opens For Its 114th Season!
Astro City— It’s a child’s dreamland! Colorful critters and a huge slide sit atop an island that draw the eye to anyone visiting Crescent Beach Family Resort on the west side of West Lake Okoboji.
The rocket is one of only a few remaining in the United States. This historical playground was originally built in Grinnell, IA by Miracle Playground Equipment Company and came to the Iowa Great Lakes area in the 1960s.
“Over the years, the rocket has been a major highlight for anyone coming through Wahpeton and the Gull Point area,” said Crescent Beach Family Resort’s manager Jon Larson. “The playground has been a popular amenity for those who used to enjoy the Crescent Beach Supper Club to those who continue to stay at Crescent Beach every year on vacation.”
The Birth of Crescent Beach
Astro City is located on a small island in Wahpeton and on land owned by Crescent Beach Family Resort, a premier vacation destination for families since the early 1900s.
“When the resort was first being envisioned, it was to create a restful abode for the tired and weary traveler, as well as the city folks who desired to get to the seashore,” Jon explained. “In reality, our vision for guests isn’t too much different over a hundred years later.”
In 1911, James A. Beck, former owner of The Inn Resort, and H. E. Mills purchased 1,000 acres between Emerson Bay and Miller’s Bay, with Beck imagining an “American Venice of lagoons, islands, waterways, rustic bridges and driveways, soft music and moonlight nights to delight guests.”
Later that year, Contractor E. B. Thomas began dredging the canals and ultimately excavating 300 acres of land, which covered three miles of waterways. The canals varied in width between eight and 12 feet and had minimal channel depth of 39 inches, eventually connecting the two bays to Spencer’s Beach on West Lake.
Crescent Beach Lodge was at the heart of this vision, with construction beginning in 1913. The hotel later opened in 1914 for 75 guests. At that time, the hotel only featured one indoor bathroom and had just one faucet throughout the entire building.
“At the time, the Beck’s struggled to find a competent manager so Mrs. Beck undertook all the cooking, and she then convinced her best friend Mrs. Hunt to help her with the hotel management,” Jon shared.
Over the decades, the resort’s ownership changed hands, more buildings were built, and accommodations and amenities were added for the countless families who loved to vacation at Lake Okoboji. New ideas were always implemented, especially the addition of more bathrooms in the 1940s or more family cottages in the 1950s.
In the 1960s, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. White of Creston, IA owned and operated the resort, dreaming of new ways to create a family atmosphere for their guests. In 1964, Mr. White envisioned Astro City and partnered with Miracle Playground Equipment Company to bring in swings, colorful critters, mini golf, and the popular 100-foot-long Rocket slide.
“This park has created so many smiles over the years,” Jon said. “Being one of the few slides remaining in the country, the Rocket means a lot to us at Crescent Beach.”
Crescent Beach Family Resort Today
In 2007, current owner Charlie Kneip purchased the resort and slowly began renovating the buildings.
“Charlie had heard it was for sale and didn’t want the resort to be turned into condos, so he gathered a group of investors, and they purchased the property,” Jon remembered. “The sale went through the week before Memorial Day Weekend. They inherited everything, and a week later, they opened for guests.”
Jon added, “One of the families who comes every year excitedly helped us get the resort operating. They were just so excited to have Crescent Beach opened—they wanted to help us get it ready for the summer.”
Over the last several years, in many of the units, kitchens were remodeled, flooring changed, and new mattresses were added. The old Crescent Beach Lodge had been transformed into a home by the previous owner, so rather than change it back into a restaurant, Bruce Olson Construction out of Sioux Falls built new family units within apart of the space. Soundproof walls were added to accommodate guests.
The original bar at the Lodge remains, so that is staffed until 9 p.m. every night. Other upgrades are amenities like kayaks, paddle boats, and boats, as well as a pickle ball court and basketball court.
“80% of our guests come back year after year, with one of our families entering their 53rd consecutive year. We just love to get to know each of them, and why we work hard to continue to make improvements every year for our families.”
Astro Island Renovation
In 2017, renovation began taking place on Astro Island. One of the first things done was to change pea gravel to rubber mulch. Next, the shore around the island was renovated, as well as along the bridge,
“We wanted to firm up areas along the shoreline as it can take a beating from water and weather,” Jon explained.
Terry Shoelte of Sioux Falls had a crew come from Shulte Subaru to clean the original horse swings and little critters. The retro fiber glass was blasted and renovated with colorful automotive paint. Updated landscaping also took place to make it easier to mow, while Doug Heller from Northwest Iowa Sprinkler in Milford added a sprinkler system to the island.
Jon said they also looked at how to make the mini golf obstacles more challenging for guests.
“We want to make Astro City welcoming and fun for all of our guests, while making sure the historical playground pieces are up to code, enjoyable for all ages, and pleasing to look at,” he added.
In 2023, the process for restoring the Rocket began, under the direction of Tom and Sam Hare of Hare Painting and Sandblasting out of Linn Grove, IA.
“Thankfully, we had a mild winter last year, and they were able to start early last spring. They sandblasted the entire rocket and then added primer,” Jon said. “Charlie wanted to keep the colors of red and blue, and the combination looks amazing when it was completed. Tom and Sam did such a nice job.”
Non-guests of Crescent Beach Family Resort are welcome to use the playground between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“First, we’d ask you to come to the office at the main lodge to sign a liability waiver form,” Jon said.
For anyone looking for a restful abode alongside West Lake Okoboji, visit crescentbeachresort.com or call 1-877-OKOBOJI.
“We often take reservations a year in advance, but we’d love to have you come stay with us at the resort. We love hosting families and helping them create memories for a lifetime—some of our families have been coming for four generations!”
Crescent Beach Family Resort is a home away from home, creating memories for visitors and locals alike. Especially when you slide alongside history on the Rocket!
