Guide and Directory of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota (Classic Reprint) Hardcover – August 24, 2018

Explore the beauty and life around Lake Minnetonka, from forest-clad shores to bustling summer villages.This guide paints a vivid picture of a lake that attracts travelers with its ever-changing scenery, grand hotels, and lively steamer excursions. You’ll glimpse the famed Excelsior area, the elegant boarding houses, and the villas that line the shores, all set within a landscape that inspired visitors for generations.Two short chapters frame what makes Minnetonka unique: its uneven coast, many bays and islands, and a climate that invites boating, fishing, and quiet resort living. The text also shares how the lake connects to railways and steamers, making a summer visit easy for city travelers and residents alike. Notable places and historic spots—such as The Hermitage and Crane Island—are described in a way that invites exploration without spoiling the experience of a first-time visitor.What you’ll experienceA sense of the lake’s vast, varied beauty, from its forested shores to its blue waters.A portrait of summer life, including hotels, boarding houses, and the villas that dot the landscape.An overview of excursion steamers, boating activity, and the social scene around the docks and bays.Snippets of local history and notable figures connected to Lake Minnetonka’s early resort era.Ideal for readers who love travel writing, local history, and lake-country scenery, and for anyone planning a visit to Minnetonka or curious about its storied past. Read more