The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-07-20
Second Wonderland Right
at MankatO's Doorway.
SCHEME MAY BE CARRIED OUT
SLEtM M &
Provided the State Does Not Take
-. Over the Property. Several Men
Are Interested.
From Mondays Daily.

the owner of the pretty spot, +. L..
Buck, has been devising plans for its
not gain control, he will, it is under
stood, convert the place into an amuse-
ment park after the pattern OF Won
derland in Minneapolis, but of course
not on so extensive scale. Wonder
land is known far and wide as one of
the best and cleanest amusement re-
sorts in the west where innocent fun
and pleasure can be obtained at small
expense.
| Mr.. Buck has discovered that the wa
ter power of Minneopa creek is valu
able. At small expense power enough
to operate an amusement park can be
developed. This power would also be
sufficient to light the park and the
small village that would naturally grow
up, with electricity, and operate grain
elevator at the station. 1t is said that
several men are interested in the mat
| ter and one of these is a we'll known
amusement manager who has looked
over the surroundings.
Water powers are valuable asset to
any community and are much sought
after, and it is a settled fact that cleo
tricity is the coming power. Everywhere
the electric railways are extending and
Aankatos proposed trolley line could
do thriving business transporting pas
senoers to Minneopa were an amuse-
ment or state park to be established
there. Every Sunday during the sum-
mer months hundreds of people from
many picnic parties are held there dur
ING the week days. With better facil-
tiles for reaching Minneopa falls the
travel in that direction would be much
greater The fare for the round trip
could be reduced from that which pre-
walls on the steam roads. No doubt the
gentlemen who are interested in the
electric railway have this Minneopa
falls scheme in view and eventually
they will construct line to that favor
ed spot.
1t is no secret that Mr.. Buck has not
wanted to dispose of the property to
the state, but of course would yield to
a public desire and sell it if satisfac
| tory terms can be agreed to. In case
the property is not sold to the state,
Mr.. Buck will make the Improvements
indicated. The price that Mr.. Buck asks
for the property is $4,000 and not 81
500 as was reported.
1t is said, too, that Mr.. Buck has in
view the drainage of the swampy land
adjacent into MinneOpa creek and thus
increase the volume of water, which
would aid in developing power. 1t is
proposed also to construct an inexpen-
sive dam.
Another Wonderland, and right at
Mankatos door. would certainly be a
novel and attractive feature. it would
seem that Minneopa park will be i'm
proved in any event whether it becomes
the property of the state or remains in
the hands of its present owner.
Shortly after Mr.. Buck came into pos
session of the property he was APP
preached by eastern parties who wanted
to purchase it, but Mr.. Buck declined
to sell as he felt that another sale
would complicate the negotiations which
were pending with the state through
the Board of Trade committee. The
committee will no doubt learn durino
this week whether the attorney general
will give them a hearing on the propos-
ition to institute condemnation proceed
ngs. 1t was reported several weeks
ago that the attorney general was not
favorable to condemnation proceedings,
claiming that there was nothing in the
law compelling him to resort to that
course.
Those who have visited both Mime
opa and Minnenaha are free to admit
that AIinneopa is the prettier of the
two. and the scenery which TANKS Min
neopa is far more picturesque and TO-
mantle. Favorable newspaper stories
have advertised Minneopa falls far and
near. More people visit the spot every
summer and they come from a great
er distance. Last Sunday number
| from st. Paul visited there and they
certainly will speak in glowing terms of
what they saw. As the years come and
90 the property will become more valu-
able The time will be when Mime
opa will have a reputation equal to
AIinnehaha.