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