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