The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-23
POPULARITY OF
TONKA GROWING
RESORT ASSUMES ASPECT OF OLD
..PALNIY DAYS"
Influx of Visitors from Minneapolis
and Distant Cities Increases and
Those Who Furnish Amusement at
the Lake Are Exerting Themselves
to Provide for All.

Minnetonka is as popular this year
as in the old days when st. Louis,
Kansas City and New Orleans people
thronged the corridors of the Lafay-
cite, or hlled the extensive verandas
of the ST. Louis. But it is a different
kind of popularity. The foliage is as
dark a green as in the palmy days Of
the lake, the moonlight is just as en-
trancing, and the water as subtle in its
embrace after chance spill from
sa1lboat, but the artificial means to a
good time are more numerous.
Minnetonka has it's epochs. First
it was the big hotels and the big
steamers that We're the great feature.
Then the big steamers were sup
planted by the more numerous and
capacity and the lake life ceased to
center exclusively at the hotels. The
Country club, the summer home and
the gasolene launch became strong
factors, and for three or more years
the hotel business languished, for the
lake was in its exclusive epoch. Now.
however. has come the casino cycle
and again Minnetonka is being sought
by all the people. The casino is
operated as popular club and makes
1T possible for persons to have Il
thoroly enjoyable time during a, few
doing all the time and the idea is
deeply appreciated as the patronage at
the new casino or pavilions shows.
At Excelsior, Tonka Bay and Spring
Park this year, pavilions of the new
type a, are IN full swing: With their
nights when the city-bound trains are
run late, these places are filled with
city folk in search of pleasure.
1t would be cloyed individual
who would not find some congenial
form of enjoyment there. Good mu-
sic, fines dancing-1oor, bowling-alleys,
/ billiards and pool, refreshment stands
the inducements offered at each pa
/. vilion. The Beach pavilion, which is
shared by the new yacht club, is near
the Tonka Bay hotel, the one at
Spring Park is but a short distance
from the Hotel del Otero, and the
Haywood pavilion is in close prox-
unity to all the Excelsior hostelries.
running trains out after business
hours, and into the city about IL
o'clock, on certain nights. Were the
trains run every night they would be
we'll patronized.
The numerous small hotels about
the lake shore contribute to the sum-
nler population. None of them is SC
large as to be unwieldy and the small
er hotels are gems of the sort. The
cottage habit, too, has grown so rap
idly that one must live at the lake tc
be in the running, and lots are going
up so rapidly in price that some shore
lines in the parts well settled with
fine residences are held at 500 {
front foot
Railroad receipts show the long
ing the people have to get to the
waters edge in the summer months
The first afternoon train on the Grea
Northern last Saturday was crowded
: to the platforms. The company ha.
decided to run a second section mex
Saturday to carry the business that il
expected. This new train will leave
! at 1880 pm. Sunday trains have The
same experience and all lines are do
ing a good business. =
Demand for steamer accommoda
tons has resulted in an increase Q
the fleet and faster timecards. Nearl,
every one wants to take the lake trip
and heavy business is done from
point to point also. Visiting at Min
! netonka Is done across the lake jus
the same as calling engagements ar
met in the city by carriages. Thos
=. who haven't the good fortune to pos
sess launches use the small steamers
z The habit Of visiting all the dance
! Wednesday and Saturday nights
= growing, and it is poor one" tina
: seven or eight different floors in a
- evening.
:. While lack of transportation facilI
: ties keeps down the travel to the lax
from Minneapolis and st. Paul, til
;, influx from outside cities, especial
:, in the south, increases from year
- year. With the advent of the trolle
: line next year and lower fare, ther
will be no limit to the lake habit