#ThrowbackThursdays On Social Media

Did you know that every Thursday we share a historic Devil’s Lake State Park postcard, photo, stereogram, or other bric-a-brac from our personal collection on our social media pages? If if you’re interested in these little slices of Devil’s Lake history be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

Last week we shared this postcard of the old paddle wheeler called the “John Muir”…

Naturalist John Muir had many things named in his honor including boats, an airplane, a train, and even a starship! (Well, USS John Muir (NCC-1732) in Star Trek anyway!). The Excursion Boat Paddle Wheeler “John Muir” plied the waters of Devil’s Lake from the 1940s to 1960s. Here’s what the card says, “The paddle wheeled sightseeing boat John Muir makes a complete circle of Devil’s lake every hour with a landing at both the North and the South Shores.”

For what it’s worth, I haven’t found any evidence that John Muir ever visited Devil’s Lake. However, in 1874, his sister Joanna wrote of her visit to Mary Muir, “Will [Whitelaw?] came and invited me to an excursion to Devils lake last Saturday which I accepted I enjoyed the lake exquisitely the scenery was beautiful and the boat riding magnificent, How I wish you could have been there. Perhaps we can go when you come home.”

Devil’s Doorway Stereogram

This week for #ThrowbackThursday we’re sharing this 1899 stereogram of Devil’s Doorway. To see a close-up and read what was printed on the back, head over to our Facebook or Instagram.

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.