From 1895 to 1953, in Wayzata’s Ferndale neighborhood, stood a magnificent, red brick mansion—Highcroft—on a 110-acre estate. Built by the Frank H....
History
Deephaven Abode Offers Unique Spaces With a Historical Twist
When an address includes Walden, the home practically has a responsibility to embrace the property’s natural surroundings, providing owners a place...
The Charles H. Burwell House Hosts a Spooktacular Good Time
A not-so-scary good time at an annual Halloween celebration. Who doesn’t like to get invited over to someone’s house, especially if it’s for a...
Head of the Class
Do you remember your favorite teacher? While it’s been many years since Miss Ella M. Stratton led her classroom, the memory of her remains by way of...
The Historic Lafayette Club Celebrates Two Anniversaries
Lafayette Club marks its 125th anniversary and the centennial of its historic clubhouse. It is a monumental year for Lafayette Club, celebrating the...
The General Store of Minnetonka Is 40 and Fabulous
Celebrate the General Store of Minnetonka—a beloved shopping and dining destination for three generations of customers. Amid the office buildings...
How To Donate Family Artifacts to Lake Area Historical Groups
Historical organizations recommend ways to declutter and donate. What are you going to do with that? Does anyone in the family want this? Where can...
Discover Lake Minnetonkas Heritage Homes
Lake Minnetonka has many historical homes to appreciate—both large and modest in size. Area homes listed in the National Register of Historic Places...
Coffee Grounds
How did Charles Curtis Coffee, D.D.S., a fifth-generation Irish American with a rich singing voice and a successful dental practice in Minneapolis,...
The “Minnehaha” Steamboat Rehabilitation is Full Speed Ahead
Lake Minnetonka Historical Society’s efforts to preserve the historic steamboat have been bolstered by a grant from the Minnesota Historical...
Remembering the Corset
The first example of a corset appeared in statues made by the Minoan people, who lived on the island of Crete around 1000 B.C. The statues depicted...
Hospital History
Change is inevitable. With history, it is no different. Today, health care now includes telemedicine, minute clinics, urgent care facilities, life...
Getting to the Root of Poinsettias
In December, it seems everywhere you turn, you’ll find poinsettias. The plant has become a staple of the holiday season. Originating from the...
The Minnetonka Record: Then and Now
One might think the holidays were celebrated very differently 100 years ago, but a look through the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society’s archives...
Explore the History of Big Island
Local historian Paul Maravelas is doing more than just writing a book based on Lake Minnetonka’s Big Island. He is opening his own press dedicated...
Minnetonka’s Birdwing House Carries on a Famous Legacy
Twelve acres of rolling hills and forest along Oakland Avenue in Minnetonka became the site of the Birdwing house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr....
Introducing the New Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Lake Minnetonka Magazine respects the importance of local history, and each month offers Discover in this section. Contributors include the...
Modern Movement
Wayzata and the 55391 zip code have been regarded as a hotbed for modern design, beginning in 1892 when Frank B. Long constructed Squirrel’s Nest on...
A Quick History of Excelsior Academy
The Lake Minnetonka area offers students a variety of educational opportunities. In the past, it also offered a unique college. Long a community...
HouseNovel Delves Into Local Homes’ History
Minnetonka couple develops a home history website, which aims to tell the story of every house in America. Biltmore, Fallingwater, Graceland and...
