Minne Estema Park began as a plan to create a resort that would draw people to Vinton. In the early days, it was thought that there were three Indian mounds in the area of the town, and because of that George Knapp named the resort Park Minne Estema, a name meaning sleeping waters. In 1897, Knapp purchased 112 acres on the east side of Fish Lake, land described as one of the prettiest pieces of wooded land in the county. He decided to divide it into 35 lots measuring 40 by 130 feet, creating a little town called Knapp City laid out in three blocks and four streets named Knapp, Lake, Whipple, and McElroy. The park opened in May 1901, and plans were made for a hotel measuring 24 by 60 feet. A two-story hotel was built with a 40 by 20 foot dining room, along with an office, bedroom, and kitchen on the first floor, and a large parlor and sleeping rooms on the second floor. Surrounded on three sides by an eight-foot veranda, the building was completed in 1908. The resort was said to be a 51 minute ride and six and two-thirds miles north of Vinton. Thursday evening dances were held with an orchestra after the dining halls were cleared, and visitors could also enjoy boating, fishing, archery, games, music, parties, swimming, strolling through the woods, and relaxing in cottages. An 18-foot launch carried 12 people, and activities ended at 9:00 p.m. each evening. In 1903, rates ranged from $1 to $2.00 a day depending on accommodations, with a weekly rate of $5.00 plus 35 cents for all meals except Sunday dinner, which cost 50 cents.