In the early 18th century Lake Minnetonka was a secret to almost everyone,
except the Indians, although they were never permanent settlers around the
lake. The big woods around the lake provided lots of game, the shores
provided lots of edible plants, and the lake provided an abundance of fish.
In 1822 the first recorded people of European descent discovered Lake
Minnetonka, via Minnehaha Creek, the only outlet known at that time into Lake
Minnetonka.
In 1851 the Treaty of Mendota Transferred 2 million acres of
Indian land, including Lake Minnetonka to the U.S. Government.
The 1880's to 1890's were considered the Lake's Hayday years. With
the railroads and trolley cars getting to the lakes was easier than ever.
Several Grand Hotels & Resorts were built and steamships were offered to
cruise the lake. This era abruptly ended as economic depression set
in.
In 1906 an Amusement Park was built on Big Island, where people would
come for miles to spend a day at the park.
Later a period of rapid settlement began as both a community in which to live and
a place to have lakeshore cabins.
Today, Lake Minnetonka is the 10th largest lake in Minnesota; it has over
14,000 acres of water (approximately 22 square miles) with more than
100 miles of shoreline. Lake Minnetonka is also the
most heavily-used lake in Minnesota.
¡ Lake Access Website, "Lake Access,"
A Brief History of Lake Minnetonka.
¡ Mound Website, "History Minnetonka," History.
NEW