Welcome to Rainbow City Alabama


The Golden Years of Minnesota Tourism

From the 1860's through the 1930's,could carry 1,000 passengers, ferried
Minnesota was a travel Mecca forvisitors to and from the island.
sportsmen and woodswomen from the eastAs the railroads pushed further north,
coast and the deep south. It was toutedtourists ventured into the central
as "America's Favorite Fun-spot," "Theregions of Minnesota, including
Ideal Destination for Out-of-doorAlexandria, the Chain of Lakes north of
Vacations," and America's VacationBrainerd, and Lake of the Woods at
Wonderland," among other fancifulWarroad on the Canadian border. Rustic
titles. People from New York to Alabamalog resorts sprang up on popular lakes,
climbed aboard James J. Hill's Greatoffering hunting, fishing, sailing,
Northern Railway to get a glimpse of thehiking, golf and tennis, among other
new frontier, rumored to have more thanoutdoor pass-times.
10,000 lakes.One of the most enduring resorts is the
In the early days, the rustic areasNaniboujou Lodge, which is still located
surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paulon the shores of Lake Superior. This
were teeming with visitors searching forfabulous get-away was built in the
pristine, natural settings. The Twin1920's. It's cavernous great room was
City Trolley Line ran tracks from thedecorated from floor to ceiling with
cities to rural communities, such asmagnificent Cree Indian hieroglyphs. A
Stillwater, the birthplace of Minnesota,huge river rock fireplace anchors one
and Lake Minnetonka, a sprawlingend of the room, which is filled with
irregular body of water with manyrustic, but cozy furniture. Regular
islands and over 100 miles of shoreline.visitors included Babe Ruth and Ring
Steamboat companies sprang up toLardner, the New York newspaperman.
accommodate the many travelers hopingAnother famous get-away, still in-tact,
for tours of the breathtaking St. Croixis Breezy Point Resort, a wonderful
River Valley and the many bays of Lakeassortment of cabins surrounding a
Minnetonka. The tour boats were followedclassic log lodge on a point in Pelican
by grand Victorian hotels with expansiveLake. This was the quintessential 1920's
views, electric lights and runningrustic Minnesota vacation spot, with a
water. The trolley car company builtfleet of boats for rent, fishing guides
three spectacular amusement parks withinand 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 Islandby "Captain" Billy Fawcett, publisher of
Park, built on an island in the middlethe popular "Whiz Bang" magazine.
of Lake Minnetonka. This park featured aCaptain Billy was well-known in
dance hall, a network of charmingHollywood and Breezy Point soon became a
promenades and a towering electric lightfavorite fun-spot for the likes of Clark
house that was visible from all pointsGable, Carole Lombard, western star Tom
of the lake. Massive steamships,Mix and boxer Jack Dempsey.
including the "City of St. Louis" which



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