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