The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-02
Lake Minnetonka. is undoubtedly the

Lake M1nnetonka is undoubtedly the
most celebrated summer resort In the
whole northwest Every year shows
an increase in It's popularity during
the summer months, and this season
the crowd Of cottagers and hotel
guests Is greater than ever before.
Lake Minnetonka is perhaps as perfect
a physical type Of the northwestern
lake as could be selected. Mime
sofa, famed for her lakes and rivers,
can show no more beautiful body of
water than this same Lake Minneton-
ka. It possesses to marked degree
the characteristic irregularity Of out
line which constitutes the chief
source Of beauty In the lakes in Min
nesota. The voyager upon Its waters
channels and inlets, the unexpected
openings Of new vistas, the beautiful
blue water and the seeming exhaust
less resources Of delight to the sense Of
sight.
Minnetonka is ideally situated as q
hours ride of Minneapolis, thousands
Of people are In a position to take ad-
vantage Of the excellent opportunities
offered for boating, bathing and fish,
ing on very short notice. Attic the ex-
treme eastern and western points Of
the lake are scarcely a dozen miles
apart, the shoreline measures more
than hundred miles, and 1t Is one
continual line Of beautiful cottages,
hotels and inns. There are countless
bays and deep arms, as we'll as long
points which nearly divide the lake in
many points. The course of the many
steamers which ply this beautiful body
Of water is nearly 40 miles in length
certainly an ideal trip for one on q hot
summers day.
Good Hotels.
| The hotels, which are plentiful on
both sides of the lake, are uniformly
good. They are ideally situated, the
service Is Of the best, and the rates are
most reasonable. No better place
could be imagined for one to spend the
summer vacation. There Is everything
at hand for an ideal out1ng-splendid
sailing, excellent fishing and the best
possible beach for bathing. 1t is no
wonder, then, that famous Minneton-
ka Is growing in popularity, not only
with Minnesotans but with people OF
the south, who have for years come to
Minnetonka's shores for their sum-
mer's enjoyment.
AS the greatest length Of the lake is
from east to west, the principal
ton of the North Shore" and the
"South Shore" The northern shore Is
reached by the Great Northern Ry.,
which skirts the Lower Lake" and
passes thru the town Of Wayzata, the
nearest point to Minneapolis on the
lake. Just west of this village, the
main line Of the railroad leaves the
lake, but branch follows a sweep OF
the shore and crossing the North
Arm" reaches Minnetonka Beach
Here is the Lafayette Club House
Two miles beyond Is Spring Park
where extensive picnic grounds are To-
Gated. Besides these places, there
are numerous stations used by owners
Of the cottages which line the lake
shore. and where there are ideal little
inns for transient guests. The cot
tages range from rough little shantiet
to palatial residences costing thou.
sands of dollars. They are mostly
Minneapolis, tho some are occupied
every season by people from distant
points. y a@
On the ''south Shore the prinoipa
Village is that Of Excelsior. This il
the largest town upon the lake ant
is by all means the liveliest during thu
summer months. 1t has three excel
lent hotels, splendid casino and {
big steamer pavilion that Is a who'll
show in itself. The train service t
Excelsior is all that could be asket
for and the little village Is the mos
} ing a good vacation town.
} The upper lake, altho slightly les
accessible, is more beautiful and 70
mantle. The only railroad station !
. Spring Park. Small steamers NEE
. the trains here and convey passenger
to Shady Isle, Zumbra Heights, Moun'
City and various private landings
, About the lake there Is any amour
Of entertainment for pleasure seekers
Parties at the hotel, concerts, excur
| sions, fishing trips and similar amuse
: ments take up the time. At the BIZ
pavilion there Is to be found roller
| skating, billiards, bowling and dane
} ing. There is hardly thing IN tn
way Of summer-resOrt amusement tina
one cannot find at Lake Minnetonka
} Thousands Of people are planning
on spending their Fourth of July va
cation day at Lake Minnetonka an
there Is no question that they coul
make no better selection. There Is t
be a splendid Independence day pro
gram all about the lake, dancing, eK
cursions, fireworks, ETC., and it viii
; be an ideal place TO spend the day