Orleans, IA

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Back in 1895 a group of citizens located on the southerly shores of Big Spirit Lake decided to form an incorporated town separate from the Town of Spirit Lake. Originally they called their town Minnie Waukon, Iowa. In an agreement recorded in their first book of council meeting minutes they shared a division of assets with the Town of Spirit Lake (funds and antiquated maintenance equipment). Minnie Waukon had a school and also a Post Office located in a small grocery store. The Post Office was only open four months in the summer, as even in the early days many of the residents commuted from Des Moines by railroad and did not live in Minnie Waukon in the winter time. The railroad had much to do with the eventual growth of the region.

Because the residents did not like writing out the lengthy name of Minnie Waukon they began to abbreviate it to just Minnie, Iowa. This abbreviation irritated some of the people so much they decided to change the name to Orleans, to be named after the railroad which came up from New Orleans, Louisiana. A total of twenty-seven ballots were cast, with twenty-four in favor and three against, so in 1897 Minnie Waukon became Orleans, Iowa.

In addition to the school, grocery and Post Office there were cottages and the famous old Orleans Hotel which was the center of many activities. The Orleans Hotel is no longer standing but was located on the east side of the swimming area and spillway at Orleans Beach. The excursion boat “The Queen” made her home on Big Spirit Lake until low water in a dry year around 1899 forced it to move over to West Lake Okoboji never to return. There was a fear that Spirit Lake was drying up and would never return to its pristine original state.

Orleans no longer has a Post Office or a school and has very little commercial business. It is still governed by the mayor/council form of government. According to the official census of 2010 there are 608 permanent residents but, just as it was in the beginning, there are many summer homeowners with residences away from the area. Whether permanent resident or seasonal resident, all find Orleans a great place to live near the shores of Iowa’s beautiful and largest natural lake, Big Spirit Lake.