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Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene: At the turn of the century an ornate bathhouse known as the Kursal [sic], was the center of activities at Lake Manawa. Built in 1896 on the south shore it doubled as a recreation and dining hall. The platform…
Today
Today...the lake site is occupied by the new Elks Country Club building, which was completed this fall. The one-story building of masonry and glass is a far cry from the old frame two-story club house.
Today
Today...The South shore of Lake Manawa furnishes only fishing and picnicking facilities. It is kept up by the state conservation commission and is without buildings of any sort. Here, looking toward the lake from the state park area, are some of…
Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene--The Kursal at Lake Manawa in 1904 was a popular spot about the turn of the century. it was reached only by boat on the south shore of the lake, and it offered bathing, eating and entertainment. About 1907 there was a…
Today
Today...the frontage site of the once-popular amusement park has been built up entirely of private dwellings. Private docks, at right, extend into the dry part of the lake bed, where the large boat docks of the streetcar company once stood.
Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene--Back 36 years ago, the row boat dock at Lake Manawa looked like this. The amusement park was in full swing on the north shore of the lake, which was a prominent recreation center for Southwest Iowa. This picture is…
Today
Today...the floating docks of the Council Bluffs Fish and Game Club are partly lying on the bottom of Lake Manawa, due to the low water level. The lake, which has been rising this last month, is still several feet below normal. When the lake has…
Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene--Back in 10--, when this picture was taken, Lake Manawa contained plenty of water. original quarters of the Fish and Game Club were on the top floor of this building. The first floor contained a saloon and gambling…
Today
Today...the park that once was the playground for thousands of Southwest Iowans is now a residential area. This photo looks southeast along the row of cottages that face the north shore of the lake, where the amusement buildings once stood. Only…
Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene--Back in the gay 90s, when Manawa Park was in full swing, this eating and dancing pavilion was on the north shore of the lake. At that time women wore long full dresses and the men wore stiff hats.
Council Bluffs Changing Scene
Council Bluffs Changing Scene--The Hagenbeck circus elephants attract a lot of attention back in 1905 as they are being watered along the north shore of Lake Manawa, just west of the park area. At that time, the lake was a popular resort spot for…
Today
Today...the lake is still one of the most popular in Iowa. The north shore where the park, board walk and docks once stood, is now built up to private homes and docks. This picture was taken looking east from the Elks County Club docks. The lake…
View Across Lake Manawa
Photograph of a view across Lake Manawa.
Hotel Manawa
Photograph of Hotel Manawa. Twenty-four rooms. Burned down in 1894.
Frozen Lacework
Brittle fingers that in summer hold a lcoak of green leaves belong to this row of trees at Lake Manawa. As the Picnic tables huddle against the trees as if for warmth, the dull winter sun filters its way through a lacework of branches. Clouds hold…
Limbs And Twigs
Limbs And Twigs...weave an intricate pattern against the backlight of a winter sun on the frozen expanse of Lake Manawa. Forecasters say temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday should take the edge off the deep freeze the Council Bluffs area has been…
A Sans Suit Solo
The May sun was hot, the temperature almost 90 when one-year-old Martin McMurray hit the beach at Lake Manawa. Mustering up his courage for a quick dip he promptly lost his dinner. Nobody seemed to mind, he thought, so with the help of his mom,…
Lake Manawa
Postcard. Lake Manawa State Park. Located South of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Consists of 630 acres of water and 150 acres of park, for picnicking, boating, swimming, and camping.
Lake Manawa
Postcard. Council Bluffs Rowing Association Club House, Lake Manawa, Iowa.