Golden years Lake Minnetonka

express boat hopkins on lake minnetonka circa 1912

in 1905 twin city rapid transit company (tcrt) extended streetcar line village of excelsior on lake minnetonka s southern shore. lake saw dramatic change in 1906 tcrt opened big island park on big island , debuted express boat service. express boats, casually referred “streetcar boats,” floating streetcars served lake s summer residents. 6 (and later seven) of these steamboats connected 26 landings around lake excelsior, passengers transfer onto streetcars bound twin cities. many streetcar boat passengers lakeside residents commuting jobs in minneapolis , saint paul. tourists, on other hand, board 1 of 3 large ferry boats bound big island park, picnic, enjoy live music, , ride several attractions. excessive operating , maintenance costs, however, caused tcrt close big island park 5 years after opening it.

ridership on streetcar boats began plummet when roads improved in area in 1920s. steamboat service on lake minnetonka grew evermore limited during time, , 1926 tcrt had suspended steamboat service on lake. rid of vessels, tcrt scuttled 3 of 7 streetcar boats in deep water north of big island summer. 3 of other boats scrapped shortly thereafter, , 1 sold , used excursion boat until it, too, scuttled in 1949. streetcar service excelsior continued until 1932.

crane island, island near western shore of lake, organized summer cottage retreat in 1907. crane island association platted number of lots around perimeter of island , dedicated commons area @ center. many of island s original cottages remain, , today historic district listed on national register of historic places.

several of area s prestigious social clubs, including lafayette club, minnetonka country club, , woodhill country club, founded during period.