| From the 1860's through the 1930's,
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| | passengers, ferried visitors to and from
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| Minnesota was a travel Mecca for
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| | the island.
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| sportsmen and woodswomen from the east
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| | As the railroads pushed further north,
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| coast and the deep south. It was touted
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| | tourists ventured into the central
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| as "America's Favorite Fun-spot," "The
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| | regions of Minnesota, including
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| Ideal Destination for Out-of-door
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| | Alexandria, the Chain of Lakes north of
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| Vacations," and America's Vacation
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| | Brainerd, and Lake of the Woods at
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| Wonderland," among other fanciful titles.
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| | Warroad on the Canadian border. Rustic
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| People from New York to Alabama climbed
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| | log resorts sprang up on popular lakes,
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| aboard James J. Hill's Great Northern
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| | offering hunting, fishing, sailing,
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| Railway to get a glimpse of the new
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| | hiking, golf and tennis, among other
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| frontier, rumored to have more than
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| | outdoor pass-times.
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| 10,000 lakes.
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| | One of the most enduring resorts is the
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| In the early days, the rustic areas
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| | Naniboujou Lodge, which is still located
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| surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul were
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| | on the shores of Lake Superior. This
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| teeming with visitors searching for
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| | fabulous get-away was built in the
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| pristine, natural settings. The Twin City
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| | 1920's. It's cavernous great room was
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| Trolley Line ran tracks from the cities
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| | decorated from floor to ceiling with
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| to rural communities, such as Stillwater,
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| | magnificent Cree Indian hieroglyphs. A
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| the birthplace of Minnesota, and Lake
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| | huge river rock fireplace anchors one end
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| Minnetonka, a sprawling irregular body of
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| | of the room, which is filled with rustic,
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| water with many islands and over 100
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| | but cozy furniture. Regular visitors
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| miles of shoreline.
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| | included Babe Ruth and Ring Lardner, the
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| Steamboat companies sprang up to
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| | New York newspaperman.
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| accommodate the many travelers hoping for
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| | Another famous get-away, still in-tact,
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| tours of the breathtaking St. Croix River
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| | is Breezy Point Resort, a wonderful
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| Valley and the many bays of Lake
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| | assortment of cabins surrounding a
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| Minnetonka. The tour boats were followed
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| | classic log lodge on a point in Pelican
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| by grand Victorian hotels with expansive
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| | Lake. This was the quintessential 1920's
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| views, electric lights and running water.
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| | rustic Minnesota vacation spot, with a
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| The trolley car company built three
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| | fleet of boats for rent, fishing guides
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| spectacular amusement parks within 15
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| | and long, sandy beaches surrounded by
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| miles of Minneapolis and St. Paul - the
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| | tall pine and birch trees. It was built
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| most scenic of which was Big Island Park,
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| | by "Captain" Billy Fawcett, publisher of
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| built on an island in the middle of Lake
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| | the popular "Whiz Bang" magazine. Captain
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| Minnetonka. This park featured a dance
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| | Billy was well-known in Hollywood and
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| hall, a network of charming promenades
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| | Breezy Point soon became a favorite
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| and a towering electric light house that
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| | fun-spot for the likes of Clark Gable,
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| was visible from all points of the lake.
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| | Carole Lombard, western star Tom Mix and
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| Massive steamships, including the "City
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| | boxer Jack Dempsey.
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| of St. Louis" which could carry 1,000
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