Destination Lake City

Once forgotten, Samuelson now a permanent fixture on city waterfront

Jul 6, 2022

A bronze life-size likeness of Ralph Samuelson holding water skis had its public unveiling Saturday, July 2, at Ohuta Park. Just off the shore from where the bronze sculpture stands, Samuelson became the first person in the whole world to water ski exactly 100 years before. At almost precisely 4:...

Samuelson statue unveiling is July 2, fundraising continues

Jun 22, 2022

After nine months of planning, promoting and fundraising, Destination Lake City (DLC) will dedicate, donate and unveil a historical monument of Ralph Samuelson to Lake City’s Mayor Mark Nichols on July 2, 2022 at 4:11 p.m. at Ohuta Park, the monument’s future home. Ralph Samuelson of Lake City was...

Foundation donates $6,500 toward Samuelson memorial

Jun 15, 2022

The Greater Lake City Community Foundation has donated $6,500 toward the Ralph Samuelson Memorial, which will be dedicated at Ohuta Park on July 2, 100 years to the day that Samuelson invented the sport of Water Skiing, according to a news release. Destination Lake City, an IRS-recognized 501 (C...

Lake City Federal donates toward Ralph Samuelson statue

Jun 8, 2022

Lake City Federal Bank President Jim Mack presented a check for $1,000 to Destination Lake City (DLC) President John Hutchinson as a Gold Level Contributor towards the construction costs for a life-sized statue of Ralph Samuelson, inventor of water skiing. DLC is a non-profit 501(c) corporation...

Crews clean up lakeshore at annual event

Apr 27, 2022

Destination Lake City (DLC) held its 6th annual Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 23. “The weather cooperated and we’re a happy group. Weather in April is dicey at its best in Minnesota.” according to Megan Kramer, DLC’s vice president. “The turnout was slightly below other years, but we had at...

Rotary contributes $1,000 toward Ralph Samuelson statue

Apr 20, 2022

Tom Rasmussen was the speaker at the Lake City Rotary Club meeting on Monday, April 11, to talk about the special tribute to Ralph Samuelson that the Destination Lake City (DLC) group is sponsoring. It will be the 100th anniversary of when Samuelson first water skied on July 2 of this year. DLC...

Helpers sought for Spring Clean-Up Day on April 23

Apr 20, 2022

Destination Lake City (DLC) is once again organizing a Spring Clean-Up Day! This year’s clean-up will be Saturday, April 23. According to John Hutchinson, DLC’s president, “Everyone is invited and encouraged to join the fun. We will start at 10 a.m. and will work until about noon, at which...

Samuelson statue OKed

Apr 13, 2022

The Lake City City Council voted 6-1 Monday to approve the placement of a statue of Ralph Samuelson between the paved plaza and small watercraft ramp at Ohuta Beach under the city’s memorial policy. Behind the statue is the part of the lake where Samuelson invented the sport of water skiing in 1922...