Diamond Lake Cass County Michigan Excursion Launch Boat 1907 Real Photo Postcard

Diamond Lake, a common designation for many natural bodies of water across the United States, represents the burgeoning recreational destinations popular in the early 20th century. The excursion boat depicted, flying the American flag, illustrates a prevalent form of water-based leisure and transport. Such vessels regularly offered scenic tours or conveyed a growing middle class to lakeside resorts and picnic areas, reflecting a societal shift towards organized outdoor recreation.

This period witnessed a substantial expansion of domestic tourism, aided by improvements in transportation that rendered natural retreats more accessible. Excursion boats were integral to the local economies of lakeside communities, attracting visitors and nurturing a nascent tourism industry. They served as key symbols of summertime enjoyment and the increasing trend of communal recreational outings away from bustling urban environments.