Friday, April 26, 2013
Data from the spring of 1856 has been temporarily removed from the historical record while climatologists and researchers investigate the accuracy of May 8 ice out date.
The latest “ice out” on Lake Minnetonka was recorded way back in 1856—when it wasn’t until May 8 that observers deemed the majority of Lake Minnetonka navigable. But that unexpectedly changed this week after the Freshwater Society, the official caller of ice out on Lake Minnetonka since the 1960s, removed the 1856 entry from its historical data. “The Minnesota Climatology Working Group this month raised questions about that date because of some old temperature records that show a very warm April that year,” Pat Sweeney, the Freshwater Society’s Communications Director, said. Sweeney went on to say the April of 1856 followed some bitter cold nights earlier in the winter, adding the entry was removed from the record while researchers attempt…
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society and Hennepin Technical College Present: "From Wasioja to Washington"
Join the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society for a free screening of the new documentary film "From Wasioja to Washington," which follows Civil War soldiers from Wasioja, MN, on their march into battle with the Second Minnesota Company C. Mark your calendar: The screening has been scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at the Southshore Center in Shorewood. The film follows the "boys of Wasioja" (a small town in southeastern Minnesota about 20 miles west of Rochester) as they are recruited from Northwestern College Seminary to muster at Fort Snelling, fight the battles of Mill Springs and Chickamauga, march to Atlanta and to the sea with General Sherman, fight in the routing of South Carolina, take the Grand March at …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
From the archives: Steamboats, Big Island, Cottagewood, sailing and more.
- NEWS
-
Wednesday, February 27
Follow Lake Minnetonka Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter All stories linked in this post were authored by Stephanie Larsen and appeared as part of her "Time Capsule" series. Just a few samples: The Evolution of Big Island on Lake Minnetonka: In the early 1880s, the Dakota inhabited Big Island on Lake Minnetonka. The 273-acre island was discovered by settlers in 1852. Judge Bradley B. Meeker, the namesake of Meeker County, squatted on Big Island in 1852. In 1856, brothers W.B. and John Morse purchased Big Island. The Cottagewood General Store: A Tradition Since 1895: In 1876, Cottagewood in Deephaven was platted by Susan and Samuel Gale. Gale was a Minneapolis real estate agent and civic leader. Today…
Breezy Point/Spirit Knob was a landmark of the Dakota tribe
Editor's note: This post originally appeared on Lake Minnetonka Patch in May of 2011. It is being re-posted for featuring purposes and for inclusion in recent news around Big Island. Breezy Point/Spirit Knob was regarded by the Dakota Indians as the most important point on Lake Minnetonka. They believed that all of the power of the lake came from this point. Because of its great energy, Breezy Point/Spirit Knob became their primary worshiping grounds. Spirit Knob means “little hill of the spirit” in the Dakota language. Located along the southern shore of Wayzata Bay, Breezy Point is in Woodland, which was settled in 1882. The point faces west and overlooks Spirit Island. A 60-foot high mound of land once protruded from the shoreline on …
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Museum of Lake Minnetonka announces details of its 2013 Membership Drive.
The Museum of Lake Minnetonka announced today the start of their annual membership drive. With four different membership levels for individuals and businesses, as well as more than seven levels of sponsorship, this year’s membership drive provides opportunities for all of the Minnehaha’s riders, fans and supporters to get involved in the upcoming cruise season. Regardless of membership or sponsorship level, all active museum members are invited to the upcoming Annual Members Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Southshore Community Center in Shorewood. A tentative agenda includes covering the museum’s current initiatives, review of the previous season, plans for the future and a meet and greet session for the Minnehaha’s …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Here's your chance to volunteer for a local civic organization while helping to preserve Lake Minnetonka's rich history.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Jay Corn
-
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society is looking for new board members. The historical society's mission is to preserve, document and classify the physical history of the Lake Minnetonka area, to provide a means by which everyone can share in the history of the lake area and to stimulate interest in the cultural heritage of the area. The Excelsior-Lake Minntonka Historical Society runs a museum in downtown Excelsior and house their archives in the old school building nearby. The society's annual fundraiser is the Booseum and Ghost Trolley, in partnership with the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, each Fall. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings and serve on one board committee. Meetings take place the second Tuesday of…
Friday, April 27, 2012
Good crowds are expected this weekend for the Lake Minnetonka landmark's seasonal opening.
As it has for more than a century, the Cottagewood General Store will welcome vistors from near and far this weekend when the Lake Minnetonka landmark opens for the season. Click here to read a 2011 feature story on the store. The Cottagewood General Store features a wide range of merchandise—from chocolates created exclusively for the store's shelves to Lake Minnetonka merchandise available nowhere else. The store opens at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, and a variety of treats and sales are planned. What are your memories of the Cottagewood Genearl Store? What do you think about the shopping experience? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Lake Minnetonka called a paradise about two minutes into the clip.
This 1950s Chevroley television commercial includes a prominant role for Lake Minnetonka.
Teresa Dushek
7:51 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Just learned the history from Captain Troy. more ›