One of the best kept secrets in Northwest Missouri was built in 1967 west of Gallatin in Daviess County, MO: Lake Viking.
Lake Viking dam and spillway shown under construction in 1967.
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The lay of the land played a key role as developers considered where to construct a lake in North Missouri. This scene, taken in 1967, shows a portion of the land which eventually went under the waters of Lake Viking near Gallatin, MO.
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Before Lake Viking existed, envisioning what and where would be impacted by the lake development was a bit of a challenge. This typical rural scene was dramatically different after lake construction in 1967.
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Only those with vision could see the potential of converting farm land in Daviess County into a 600-acre lake association development. Sometimes this meant the removal of existing improvements, homes and farm buildings.
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Only those with vision could see the potential of converting farm land in Daviess County into a 600-acre lake association development. Sometimes this meant the removal of existing improvements, homes and farm buildings.
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Only those with vision could see the potential of converting farm land in Daviess County into a 600-acre lake association development. This scene shows the lay of some of the land before the lake developed.
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Only those with vision could see the potential of converting farm land in Daviess County into a 600-acre lake association development. Sometimes this meant the removal of existing improvements, homes and farm buildings.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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The creation of Lake Viking was a real estate venture with success dependent upon lot sales. Here real estate executives gather as lot sales at Lake Viking open to the public.
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Much of the legal and financial paperwork enabling Lake Viking to be developed was handled locally. Here Robert Paul, president of the First National Bank of Gallatin (seated), and bank officer Charles Belshe (right) meet with real estate developers who initiated the lake project.
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Lake Viking was developed where a comparative small dam could impound a large quantity of water. This aerial view shows the lay of the land before lake construction was completed in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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The creation of Lake Viking was a real estate venture with success dependent upon lot sales. Here a real estate executive presents a lake lot deed to its new owners.
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Only those with vision could see the potential of converting farm land in Daviess County into a 600-acre lake association development. This scene shows the construction of the lake office before water was impounded for the lake.
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(circa 1967)
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Lake Viking shown under construction in 1967.
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Large concrete spillway culverts were a necessary part of developing the land which became Lake Viking.
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Once the dam impounded water forming Lake Viking, construction focused on creating roadways around the lake to encourage future development.
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Once the dam was completed and water impoundment began, it became increasingly obvious where the new Lake Viking would be.
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Water starts to be impounded at Lake Viking in 1968.
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Lake Viking Marine, originally constructed by Phil Tate, has been in continuous operation since the lake filled with water in 1967. Glen Mayo owned the marina, later followed by Larry and Sherry Tague. (date unknown)
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Entry at Lake Viking is distinctive for this permanent stonework which identifies the legal name of the community as Valkyrie Valley, shown here with Santa and his sleigh at Christmas. (date unknown)
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Lake Viking Clubhouse was a popular place for public meetings. Here Lake Manager Bob Feigley is at the podium with Daviess County Commissioners Danny Heldenbrand, Bill Artaud, and Bud Young at the head table.
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Membership fees for landowners at Lake Viking pay for a variety of improvements and maintenance projects. This photo shows the bardge used to dredge silt which would otherwise clog drainage culvets and fill lake tributaries. (date unknown)
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Membership fees for landowners at Lake Viking pay for a variety of improvements and maintenance projects. This photo shows the bardge used to dredge silt which would otherwise clog drainage culvets and fill lake tributaries. (date unknown)
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Lake Viking Church added a cemetery soon after opening at the east entrance to the lake community. Here underground power lines are trenched for flag pole and sign display. (date unknown)
