Glendalough State Park
Glendalough State Park | |
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Location | Otter Tail, Minnesota, United States |
Coordinates | 46°20′0″N 95°40′0″W / 46.33333°N 95.66667°W |
Area | 1,931 acres (7.81 km2) |
Elevation | 1,329 ft (405 m)[1] |
Established | 1992 |
Named for | Glendalough |
Governing body | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
Glendalough State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, in Otter Tail County near Battle Lake close to Minnesota State Highway 78. It is named after Glendalough in Ireland. The park was once used as a resort and game farm by the owners of Cowles Media Company, owner of what is today the Star Tribune newspaper. The park contains 1,931 acres (7.81 km2) on land and 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) on the water. Cowles Media Company transferred title to Glendalough to the Nature Conservancy in 1990, and the Nature Conservancy transferred title to the State of Minnesota in 1992. Glendalough was officially declared a state park with a celebration on Earth Day, April 22, 1992.[citation needed]
History
In 1903, Ezra G. Valentine developed that land into a summer retreat called Valentine's Camp. In 1905 the park was left to Valentine's children, John Alden and Miss Blanche, who later sold the land to Fred A. Everts. Everts sold the Valentine camp to F.E. Murphy who owned and operated the Minneapolis Tribune. Murphy renamed the land Glendalough, after a monastery in Ireland. With the depression in the 1930s and land becoming available for purchase, Murphy expanded the camp and started a game farm. In 1941, Glendalough, along with the Minneapolis Tribune, was purchased by Cowles Media Company, which was partially owned by
2004 and 2005 blowdown
In August 2004, a
Recreation
Glendalough State Park has many forms of recreation facilities that are provided to park visitors, including fishing, camping, hiking, birding, picture taking, boating, kayaking and canoeing. The park has a Historic Lodge where former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, and former Vice President Walter Mondale stayed when they visited Glendalough State Park. While camping at Glendalough State Park, it is highly advised that any food be stored into a food locker that the park provides with the site. The park discourage visitors from storing their food in the tents because the wildlife can easily tear open the tents and get to the food.
Lodging
Glendalough State Park has the historic Glendalough Lodge at the park. The lodge is rented out to parties for tours or family gatherings. The state park also has the Trail Center near the Glendalough Lodge.
Camping
At Glendalough State Park, there are three sites designated for camping. The west shore of Annie Battle Lake, between south Annie Battle Lake and North of Molly Stark Lake and on the Southeast corner of Annie Battle Lake.
Picnicking and swimming
Glendalough offers picnicking and swimming areas, often with solitude. Glendalough has two swimming areas for the visitors: on the north shore of Annie Battle Lake near the historic Lodge and Trail Center, and on the north shore of Molly Stark Lake near the Picnic Shelter.
Cart-in site
The campsite along the west side of Annie Battle Lake is designated as a cart-in campground. The state park wants the park visitors to have a primitive setting while camping. This location has four cabins; four electric cabins with one of the cabins being designated as handicapped accessible for the park visitors who need these accommodations.
Group camp
There is one group camp site in the state park: along the creek that flows from Molly Stark Lake to Annie Battle Lake. The group camp is designated for more than seven people for a regular site but no more than 45.
Canoe-in campground
The canoe-in campsites is one of the primitive settings that Glendalough State Park has to offer. Over at the canoe-in sites are three tent sites and two
Rustic camping
Between
Biology and ecology
Plant life
Glendalough State Park has a few restored acres of land designated as prairie restoration. Within this restoration land, prairie plants such as
Wildlife
Wildlife at Glendalough State Park consists of
References
- ^ "Glendalough State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. September 8, 2005. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- OL 5547280M.
- ^ "Glendalough State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- ^ Meier, Jeff. "Glendalough State Park holding 25th anniversary celebration". Fergus Falls Daily Journal.
Further reading
- Glendalough State Park pamphlet handout 2008
- Otter Tail County Recorder's Office
External links