Lake City Historical Society
  • Home
  • Lake City History
    • Oral History Project
    • History Overview
    • Business History
    • Half Breed Tract
    • Lake Pepin Clamming
    • Waterskiing
    • Lake City Cemeteries
    • Historic Walking Tour
    • Historical Artifacts
    • Historic Phone Books
    • Videos
  • Photo Gallery
  • Support the LCHS
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Gift Shop
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Research Tips
    • Meeting Schedule
    • FAQs
  • Contact Us

​THE BIRTHPLACE OF WATERSKIING

In 2022, the city celebrated its incorporation sesquicentennial, and the 100th  anniversary of the invention of the sport of waterskiing. In 1922, local teen Ralph Samuelson took a homemade pair of skis and his daredevil determination, and got behind a boat on Lake Pepin to make history. Today, we celebrate that milestone with an annual Water Ski Days festival, always held the last full weekend in June.

Ralph Samuelson Film Debut

Picture
The new documentary film, ​Ralph Samuelson: The Father of Waterskiing is now available on our YouTube channel. Ralph grew up right here in Lake City and invented a sport that is enjoyed worldwide. You’ll meet him in this 33-minute documentary film based on the book A Daredevil & Two Boards, by Gregor Ziemer ©Gail Patricia Eadie and Barbara Eadie Myer. Presented by the Lake City Historical Society in partnership with filmmaker Ben Threinen.
Picture

celebrating 100 years of waterskiing

Lake City is celebrating 150 years as a city, 100 years of waterskiing and 50 years of Water Ski Days​. 
Get Your 2022 Tickets

quick links

Home
History Overview
Gallery
Gift Shop
Membership
Contact
​
Terms of Use

contact

PO Box 246
Lake City, MN 55041
info@lakecityhistoricalsociety.org

resources

Research Tips
Newsletter
​Meeting Schedule
​FAQs

© Lake City Historical Society 2022.  All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Lake City History
    • Oral History Project
    • History Overview
    • Business History
    • Half Breed Tract
    • Lake Pepin Clamming
    • Waterskiing
    • Lake City Cemeteries
    • Historic Walking Tour
    • Historical Artifacts
    • Historic Phone Books
    • Videos
  • Photo Gallery
  • Support the LCHS
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Gift Shop
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Research Tips
    • Meeting Schedule
    • FAQs
  • Contact Us