Early history tells us that Lewis and Clark, on their historic trip to the Pacific coast, were in proximity of Wilson Island on July 1804. It was on the 30th of July that their party camped on the Missouri River not far from the DeSoto Bend Stretch. On August 2nd, several Otto and Missouri Indians including six chiefs and a French interpreter, arrived at camp. The following day council was held and presents were exchanged. Wilson Island lies south of the DeSoto bend in the river, however it is uncertain, due to river changes, exactly where their camp was. In Fact, in the first survey done of the area in August of 1858, by the General Survey office out of Dubuque, the area where Wilson Island is now, was partially in the river and partially in what is now Nebraska.
During the 1930’s, while the country was in the grips of a recession, a family settled on the island and began farming among the young tree patches that had already began to grow on the island. Access was by a crude barge and later a suspended bridge. Soon after settling, the family contacted the State of Iowa to purchase the land from the state. The Executive Council of Iowa agreed to the sale. Upon hearing of the agreement, Governor George Wilson asked the council to reconsider. He had seen the area and felt that it should be set aside for the people of the state, due to its natural beauty. The Executive Council agreed and the land was not sold. It was instead named after the Governor and the land with its abundant wildlife was preserved for all to enjoy. The 1940’s brought the Corps of Engineers project to channelize the Missouri River in this area, stopping the shifts of the river and ensuring the future of the area.
Access to the area was difficult until 1959 when a levee and road were developed, ending the area’s island status. This construction was done as part of the creation of DeSoto Lake as DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge was developed. Wilson Island was put under control of the Waters and Wildlife Sections of Iowa Conservation Commission. It was given recreation area status instead of being considered a state park. This meant that hunting and trapping, activities traditionally done in the area could continue. State Parks were at the time and still are wildlife refuges. Easy access, created by the new road, brought development and increased use. Between 1960 and 1965 a shower house, 2 boat ramps, eight pit toilets, and three camp areas were established. Roads were developed where old river channels once ran. Construction along these routes eliminated the need to cut through the dense stands of cottonwood timber.
