Geode State Park in Henry County, southeastern Iowa, developed from a local Skunk River picnic ground into a state park after local fundraising and work by the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1937. Centered on Lake Geode, built in 1950 and formally dedicated with its beach and beach house in 1951, it became known more for recreation and especially fishing than for actual geodes, which are scarce there and may not be collected. The park once uniquely included an airstrip for private planes, later closed. It has also seen tragedy, including the 2009 death of a RAGBRAI rider near the dam.