Bell’s Island

Today, we’re afloat in 1940’s Wayzata Bay. Just off the shore of Ferndale Road, a small island peaks above the waterline. No, we’re not looking at the famous Spirit Island. We’re looking at the much less well known Bell’s Island.

This tiny island is part of a Ferndale property which was once a much larger estate than it is today. This estate was owned by James Ford Bell, whom the island is named after. James Bell is best known for founding the General Mills company in 1920.

When he purchased an estate on Ferndale, he commissioned a small wooden bridge to be built from the mainland to the island off his property’s shore. The bridge he built is the same one we see on this postcard. Unfortunately, the bridge would be replaced at some point, to what is seen today.

In the 21st century, Bell’s Island is much the same as it was 100 years ago. Undeveloped, besides a bridge and riprap around it’s shoreline.