From 1800 to 1852, Big Island was inhabited by the Dakota Indians. In 1822, two young boys paddled up Minnehaha Creek and discovered Lake Minnetonka, though settlers did not rediscover the lake until 1852. Around that time the island became known as Owens Island, and shortly later as Meeker's Island, named for Judge Bradley B. Meeker. In 1856, brothers W.B. and John Morse acquired the 250-acre island, platted it, developed it, and sold lots on what was then called Morse Island; camping there became popular, and the Morses rented tents to campers. In 1906, the TCRT Company built an amusement park on 65 acres of the island, and it became known as Big Island Park until the park closed at the end of August 1911, after which it became known simply as Big Island. In 1915, a game farm of quail and pheasants was begun there. During the 1920s, the state acquired the property and established a vacation camp for World War One veterans and their families. On January 5, 2006, the City of Orono and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed bought the Big Island Campground from the veterans, and officials developed a plan for Orono Big Island Park, which officially reopened to the public in 2008.