The Loring Cascade Then and Now

One of the most notable, attractive and appropriate additions in the history of our park system undoubtedly is the ingeniously and beautifully executed artificial cascade, built at Glenwood Park by Mr. Francois Scotti at the direction of and as a gift to the city from The Honorable Charles M. Loring. The cascade is located on … Read more

Quarry Park, Granite City

A picturesque Of granite quarry in St. Cloud. Its memorial and building stone has this City known as the Granite City of Minnesota. A St. Cloud treasure, Quarry Park (used to be Hundred Acres Quarry) is the largest park in beautiful Stearns County. Pack a lunch and have a look at the early granite industry … Read more

Welcome to Wong’s

EXCELLENCE ORIENTAL STYLE An evening at Howard Wong’s is an occasion for excellence. Choose from such Chinese delicacies as Hung Shew Guy (Cantonese Bar-B-Qued Chicken) or specially prepare& Wor Shew Opp (Mandarin Pressed Duck) or sample from a lavish hors d’oeuvres tray featuring fried Won Tons and Howard Wong’s nationally famous egg rolls. Wong’s complete … Read more

Movie Nites

The Uptown opened as the Lagoon Theater in 1913.  After new sound equipment was installed, the theater’s name was  changed on  April 11, 1929. The Uptown was  rebuilt and redesigned by the architectural  firm of Liebenberg and  Kaplan after a fire tore through the building in 1939. The theater was closed briefly in 1975 but … Read more

The Parkway Motor Hotel

Some folks say the estimated number of motels in America tripled between 1940 and 1960. People on the move with money to spend found modern motels with well-appointed rooms out on the edges of just about every metropolitan area. Air conditioning, television, radios, tiled bathrooms, easy chairs, coin operated vibrating beds, swimming pools and movie … Read more

Maple Plain State Bank Then and Now

On May 5, 1905, John Haven, Austin B. Morse and E. J. Cranston set up and the State Bank of Maple Plain. The first bank building was built the same year. The bank assumed the assets and liabilities of the State Bank of Lyndale, Minnesota in 1927. A new facility was built on the east … 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

The Minnetonka Electric Line

The season at Lake Minnetonka, meaning by that when the full electric train service from the Twin Cities, as well as the express boat service is in effect, begins May 15 and ends September 30. Every day is a good day to visit the lake, and there is always something going on to entertain and … Read more

The Tonka Bay Hotel

Fancy balls, dancing parties, musicales and concerts, banquets, conventions, yacht races, rowing regattas are a frequent occurrence at Tonka Bay. Located near the hotel a handsome roller skating rink, sailboat, rowboats, launches and fishing tackle that can be rented, and  bathing and fishing facilities are excellent. Big Island the beautiful is close to ‘The Tonka … Read more