A *New* General Minnetonka Yarn
In 1930 the, now quite famous, Guide & Map of Lake Minnetonka was published. For 25 cents, visitors could gain a localized map of the lake area, some basic history, and a whole slew of advertisements. In its pages, an especially wordy leaf draws in readers with the title “A General Minnetonka Yarn.”
While it has been republished time and time again in the 96 years since its origination, we felt it would be worthwhile to draft a modernized version of the old yarn. Something which, in short order, encapsulates all that modern Minnetonka is. Read along for the 21st century edition of A General Minnetonka Yarn. . .
What enchantment and passion surrounds the magical name, Minnetonka! Known throughout America for the famous, “Purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka,” this splendid lake has, for well beyond a century, been the Mecca for those who love to dance upon the waves, a crisp swim, or a golden summer sunset. Since the days of the Daytons and their grand “Gentleman’s Farm” Minnetonka has seen millions of visitors, many thousands of whom have been so honored to spend their lives on its shores.
As the tenth largest lake in the state of Minnesota and with a shoreline covering several hundred miles Minnetonka, since before the days of Captain Johnson, has impressed one and all with its painted waves and densely wooded islands.
Even still, modern Minnetonka is evolving upon its historic acclaim. Several of its boroughs sit at the pinnacle of prosperity among the nation’s municipalities and have been expanding their influence over the last 30 years. The Orono, Wayzata, Westonka, and Minnetonka districts claim for themselves a place in the upper echelon of state funded schools while simultaneously taking ever more students under their wings. Local legislators do their best to see the citizenry flourish in ever wider fields and the citizenry, in turn, commit themselves to their community in ever greater fashion—giving back in methods from time, to effort, to monetary, to the noble risk of volunteering themselves to their local fire departments.
Golf clubs, watercraft rentals, sporting guides, hotels, and services of all industries combine with land developers and preservationists in giving lively esteem to this community. First-rate yachting, sailing, and paddling clubs supply persons of all ages with the skills necessary to gleefully tread the lake in even the stormiest weather. Meanwhile, the entrepreneurship shown amongst the lake’s residents delivers innovation and success to an unfathomable number of industries across an unknowable number of communities across America.
All in all, Minnetonka invites the soul with a warmth that only grows across the years. Come to Minnetonka for a summer, a year or—like so many—for a lifetime.
The original yarn:
“What a glamor and a romance surrounds the magic name, Minnetonka! Known throughout America for its famous, “By the Waters of Minnetonka,” this magnificent lake for half a century has been the Mecca for those who love a dashing ride over the waves, a relaxing swim, or a summer’s outing. Minnetonka has had hundreds of thousands of visitors, and many thousands of persons have been glad to spend their lives by its shores. As one of the largest lakes in Minnesota and with a shore line covering many hundreds of miles, Minnetonka, since the days of Indian chiefs, has impressed everyone with its beauties of wooded shore and gleaming waters.
Modern Minnetonka is still building and growing on its famous renown. Dozens of villages and cities and townships have been increasing steadily in size in the last 20 years. Three modern high schools in Wayzata, Excelsior, and Mound, churches, well planned fire departments in the Minnetonka Fire Department Association, and year round homes are building the new Minnetonka.
Golf clubs, amusement parks, resorts of all types, combine with dairy farming and berry raising in giving livelihood to its citizens. Sailboat and speedboat plants supply citizens of the lake with craft to weather the stormiest seasons.
The Excelsior Fruit Growers Association at Excelsior and the Minnetonka Fruit Growers Association at Long Lake take the fame of Minnetonka raspberries and strawberries to Chicago and eastern markets.
All in all, Minnetonka invites you with a cordiality that deepens with the decades. Come to Minnetonka for a summer, for a year, or like many, for good.”
