LAKE MINNETONKA
LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2023 people considered land around Lake Minnetonka sacred and wanted to keep it for themselves . Several Dakota chiefs refused to sign the treaty , yet , Lake Minnetonka was still included in the 2 million-acre acquisition .
Breezy Point in Woodland was known to the Dakota people as Spirit Knob , an especially sacred place , according to historians .
As time went on , Lake Minnetonka became a homestead for people to leave behind the hustle and bustle . The city of Excelsior was established in 1852 , just one year after the land acquisition . Soon after , Excelsior ’ s first hotel opened and later came both the first steamboat and railroad tracks .
The area grew to even more over time . More hotels opened including The Hotel St . Louis , Lake Park Hotel and Hotel Lafayette and steamboats were added . The Lake Minnetonka area became a peaceful getaway from the city and refuge for some of the region ’ s wealthiest residents . Many preferred railroad travel as their method of transportation and could commute to Minneapolis with a 45-minute ride . Steamboats ushered residents to more than 20 locations on its bays . Automobile use eventually superseded railroad and steamboat use .
All of the communities along the lake have a distinctive story to tell . People can visit many spots to acknowledge the past and see how the area has grown .
Historical Societies : Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Museum 305 Water St ., Excelsior Info : elmhs . org
Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka History Society Archives 261 School Ave ., Suite 102 , Excelsior Info : elmhs . org
Deephaven Historical Society 20225 Cottagewood Rd ., Deephaven Info : deephavenhistorical . org
Minnetonka Historical Society 14600 Minnetonka Blvd ., Minnetonka Info : minnetonka-history . org
Westonka Historical Society 5341 Maywood Rd ., Mound Info : westonkahistoricalsociety . org
Wayzata Historical Society 402 E . Lake St ., Wayzata Info : wayzatahistoricalsociety . org
Wayzata Historical Society Archives 620 Rice St ., Wayzata Info : wayzatahistoricalsociety . org
48 | LAKE MINNETONKA | Community Guide 2023