Camp Onomia - History

History

In 1948 Reverends Arthur Braun, William Tinge, Otto Herder Paul Bredow convinced the Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church to authorize the purchase of 144 acres (0.58 km2) on Shakopee Lake and Warren Lake. The original property was mostly wetlands and swamps and had only a primitive log barn and a farmhouse. Plans for the development of the camp were made by Site Planners and Architects. Clearing of the grounds was started in 1948 and the first camp program was held in the summer of 1948 under the leadership of Bill and Iona Knoll. The first family camp was held in 1952 and the Lutheran World Federation gathering took place there in 1957. Lakeview and Pine Needle dormitories were added in the early 1950s, Woodland was completed in 1954, and the motel was completed in 1959. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (which the camp adjoins) was established in 1957. The Fireside Circle was completed in 1959, the Braun Chapel was completed in 1961, the camp manager's home was completed in 1963, and the all-season retreat center was completed in 1972. The Southeastern Minnesota District of The American Lutheran Church gained control of the camp in 1975, 80 acres were added to the camp in 1980, and the camp paid off its mortgage in 1987. An association of congregations from five of Minnesota's six synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took over ownership of the camp in 1988.