Calhoun Boulevard and 36th
Originally called by the Dakota “Mde Maka Ska”, which meant White Earth Lake, settlers later named it with the Dakota name “Medoza” or Loon Lake. The United States Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun, sent the Army to survey the area that would surround Fort Snelling in 1817. Calhoun had also authorized the construction of [...]
F.L. Wright’s 1907 Minneapolis Double Wides
These 1907 photos were taken around Minneapolis and environs by St. Paul photographer F.L. Wright. They were reprinted, hand colored and and published as postcards by the Wright, Barrett & Stilwell. The company was primarily involved in the sale roofing materials, but they did a brisk stationary and postcards business on the side. These are [...]
Unclothed on Christmas Lake
Names: Lydia, Florence, Gladys, Hazel, Mildred Ages: 127, 128, 126, 127, 128 Neighborhood: Excelsior Swimming Hole: Christmas Lake Quote: “We will quote JohnDonne and say; Full nakedness! All my joys are due to thee, As souls unbodied, bodies unclothed must be To taste whole joys.”
Excelsior! The Amusement Park and Some Hippies
The Excelsior Amusement Park opened on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in 1925. The park and was served by a streetcar line from Minneapolis. Inspired by Coney Island the park’s original owner Fred Pearce, built a roller coaster called The Cyclone. The amusement park became a big hit in the 40s and 50′s as [...]
The Naked Polar Bear
Names:Heather Brown Age:43 Neighborhood:Excelsior Swimming Hole: Lake Minnetonka Quote: Every New Year’s Day, hundreds of Minnesota Polar Bears wake up early and jump in a frozen lake. I’m one of them. It all started 20 years ago. I was with a group of guys and we were out for a New Year’s Day run [...]
