Lake City in Wabasha County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ralph Samuelson

Lake City MN 'Birthplace of Water Skiing'

— 1922 —

Ralph Samuelson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 21, 2024

1. Ralph Samuelson Marker

Inscription.

Water skiing was invented on July 2, 1922 when eighteen-year-old Ralph Samuelson executed his idea that if one could ski on snow, one could ski on water. After designing and creating the first water skis, Ralph was the first person ever to ski on water right here on Lake Pepin just beyond the area behind this statue/memorial. Ralph was towed by his brother behind an old clamming boat at a speed of just 15 MPH. Ralph finally discovered that by leaning back and exposing the skis’ tips, he could successfully ski on water

The statue and Plaque were designed and constructed by Brodin Studios, Kimball, MN 2022

Erected 2022.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1922.

Location. 44° 27.106′ N, 92° 15.951′ W. Marker is in Lake City, Minnesota, in Wabasha County. It is at the intersection of Park Street and East Chestnut Street, on the left on Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 Chestnut St, Lake City MN 55041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Settler (a few steps from this marker); Ralph W. Samuelson (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patton Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Louis McCahill Memorial Park

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Gold Star Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Lake Pepin: Birthplace of Waterskiing (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Very Old Fish Story (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Sea Wing Disaster (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 21, 2024

2. Ralph Samuelson Marker

Ralph Samuelson Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 21, 2024

3. Ralph Samuelson Monument

On July 2, 2022, Lake City erected a bronze statue to Ralph Samuelson in Ohuta Park to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birthplace of water skiing.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.