The Narrows

This channel connects the upper and lower lakes of Minnetonka. A summer playground, Lake Minnetonka, located about 15 miles west of Minneapolis has over 300 miles of intricate shoreline. It is noted for its scenic beauty, enchanted islands, good fishing, motor boating and sailing. A large amusement park is on the water’s edge at Excelsior, … Read more

On Christmas Lake

The old home that became the Glen Morris Inn on Christmas Lake was built in the late 1800’s for Manitoba Railroad civil engineer, Charles J. Morris. The original two story residence was described in Diamond’s Tourist newspaper as, “one of the most beautiful estates in the area.” Morris owned 1000 acres on Christmas Lake and … Read more

Hotel Lafayette

This magnificent hotel is located on a peninsula between the main lake and Crystal Bay, and is so situated that it has water fronts on both sides. The view from the hotel is the finest and most extensive we have ever seen, taking, in some ten or twelve of the bays and their numberless promontories … Read more

The Tonka Theater

In 1941, The 500 seat, $30,000, Tonka Theater opened at the end of the main drag in Excelsior. The auditorium was decorated with murals of steamboats on the nearby lake. Meet Dr. Christian was the first movie. Just three years later, however, the little place was gutted by a fire. It took an appeal to … Read more

The Minnesota Soldiers’ Home

“The first duty devolving on the trustees in connection with the Home, was the selection of a site for the permanent buildings. This proved to be a laborious and difficult task. Patriotic and public spirited citizens in many towns, submitted offers of eligible sites for the Home. The trustees visited, and thoroughly inspected the grounds … Read more