Lake City Historical Society
  • Home
  • Lake City History
    • History Overview
    • The Wave
    • 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
    • Oral History Project
    • Newsletter
    • Research Tips
    • Open Hours and Meetings
    • FAQs
  • Contact Us

​THE BIRTHPLACE 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.

Ralph Samuelson Film 

Picture
The documentary film, ​Ralph Samuelson: The Father of Waterskiing is  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. The film is presented by Lake City Historical Society in partnership with local filmmaker Ben Threinen.
Picture

celebrating water skiing each June

Lake City celebrates Water Ski Days​ annually on the last full weekend in June. 
Find out more about Lake City events

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 2023.  All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Lake City History
    • History Overview
    • The Wave
    • 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
    • Oral History Project
    • Newsletter
    • Research Tips
    • Open Hours and Meetings
    • FAQs
  • Contact Us