Minnetonka in length is about 24 miles, its shore line over 300. is broken into bays with irregular shores, and containing many islands. Its waters are clear, pure and cool, and abound with fish. Its banks are generally high and rolling, and covered with a heavy growth of hardwood timber, consisting of maple, elm, oak. hickory, ironwood, basswood, etc. The forest surrounding it is known as the “Big Woods,” which extend for 120 miles from what is commonly known as the Park Region of Minnesota, in which are embossed hundreds of small lakes.
The eastern end of the lake lies within 12 miles of the city of Minneapolis, and 22 miles from St. Paul, and both the north and south shores are readily reached by fast and frequent trains from both cities during the outing season.
To those who have only a day to spend on Minnetonka, a tour on one of the steamers will give an excellent opportunity to view some of its charming scenery; it is a comfortable and delightful trip, and may be compared favorably to that among the Thousand Islands, which it resembles.
The tour is made in the midst of beautiful scenery that charms the eye and rests the senses, while it gives delight by constant change from a wide expanse of water to narrow channels hedged in by magnificent foliage, in whose shade are situated the hundreds of beautiful summer homes. But by making this trip you sec but one-half of the lake, though that is enough to make one with to linger and enjoy its pleasures. There arc many bays which rival in beauty those passed through in the ordinary excursion, which are accessible only to the small steam launch or to rowboats, and this is the best way to enjoy Minnetonka thoroughly.
It takes time to enjoy all the beauties and recreation presented to health and pleasure seekers by Minnetonka. There are pleasure excursions by daylight and moonlight on the steamers, sailboats and rowboats, picnics and merry lunches in picturesque nooks in the woods, the fishing trips to secluded bays, with a fish dinner and a nap in a wild spot on its banks; camping parties and rambles and rides through the forest; expeditions to the fields of water- lilies; evening excursions to fashionable hotels, where concerts and dance attract the gay world to enjoyment, and then there are occasional yacht races and rowing races, and the daily bath in the lake. What more could we desire’
Minnetonka is surrounded by rich agricultural lands, and much of it is devoted to fruit growing, gardening and the dairy. The land is very uneven and is largely devoted to the culture of grapes, berries, apples and other fruits, interspersed with dairy and stock farms. A drive through this region is a constant delight, from the numberless charming and picturesque views encountered on the way. The roads are good during the summer and they lead in all directions.
-Souvenir and Story of the Most Popular Summer Resort in the Northwest
Lake Minnetonka
An outline of its Natural Beauty and Manifold Attractions
Published by S. E. ELLIS, Excursion Agt., Lake Minnetonka Transportation Co.,
Hotel Nicollet, Minneapolis, Minn.
1905