The Top 20 Essential Reads of Our History
Minnetonka area residents are blessed with a litany of books covering various topics surrounding our community’s deep history. While researching, documenting, and recounting our history I’ve come to recognize that, for the average person, it can be difficult to decipher which books are worth buying / renting and which ones aren't. While I can’t guarantee that every entry on this list will captivate you with deeply personal connections, I can say that these are some of the greatest books to inspire, motivate, and educate both children and adults alike.
For those aspiring to get in touch with their community’s past, here are a handful of Lake Minnetonka history books which I would suggest looking into, as well as the pitfalls that some of them may present to the less knowledgeable reader. In total, there are 20 books on this list so let’s waste no time in getting to the information!
1. Lake Minnetonka’s Historic Hotels - Ellen Wilson Meyer
This 1997 paperback was published through the Excelsior Historical Society (now LMHS) and has a wealth of information to share regarding the lake’s many former hotels, inns, and boarding houses. Meyer structured her book by locale, with the businesses being grouped by their rough location around the lake area. This structure makes it easy to mentally link locations together however, reader beware, there are also a great many errors in this book. I’ve found it to be a wonderful jumping off point for further, more detailed, research from primary sources. Then, I come back to annotate the book for future reference.
2. Piety Hill - Thelma Jones
Originally published in 1977, this book is perfect for someone who’s interested in Wayzata’s founding history and the important role which the church played in its growth from a grouping of rough shacks to one of the nation’s greatest tourism hubs. As a result, Jones drops a vast number of tidbits which the reader can grab ahold of and use to expand their general knowledge of the area, especially with its ties to the church.
3. Happenings Around Wayzata, Excelsior, Deephaven - Ellen Wilson Meyer
This series of books, published throughout the 1980’s, lie in the same vein of trustworthiness as her other books. They’re a great place to jump off from and make wonderful conversation pieces for the home. Meyer is, undoubtedly, one of the most recognized historical voices in our community. I firmly believe every Minnetonka resident could have these books on an end table in their home and they’d never cease to ignite conversation!
4. A Record of Old Boats - Randolph Edgar
Published in 1933 shortly after his death, this small booklet is filled with warm remembrances of Minnetonka’s gilded age. Edgar writes from his memory and is mostly accurate in his retelling of steam navigation on the lake. Yet, his memory is a double edged sword and he does mix up facts a number of times. It’s worth checking his work for errors along the way. Despite this, I consistently find this to be among my favorite local books. Something about Edgar’s retelling feels more heartfelt than many other local books of his time.
(Photo source: Abe Books)
5. A Directory of Old Boats - Scott D. McGinnis
Published in 2010, this book is the most reliable source of information for all things of inland navigation on Lake Minnetonka. McGinnis’ jumping off point was clearly Edgar’s work in A Record of Old Boats but McGinnis takes it many steps further with pinpoint accuracy and real documentation to back up his findings. Any time I speak on boats, this book is my Bible. It’s also worth mentioning that, for its $35 price tag, A Directory of Old Boats is easily the most detailed and expansive book on this list!
6. Classroom Voices - Pamela Myers
Meyers’ 2010 book is a wealth of knowledge covering all things schools, schoolhouses, and remembrances of the greater Mound school district. Some of what it includes are how the district formed, what localities made up the reach it has today, and touching stories from students of the past! When I’ve found myself researching schools, this book is often one of the first ones to come off the shelf for reference and I can’t give it nearly as much credit here as it deserves!
7. Images of America, Lake Minnetonka - Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (Proper)
Published in 2015, it’s one of the newest books on this list. Assembled by all the historical societies that, eventually, came to form what is now the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society [Wayzata, Excelsior, Westonka, & Steamboat Minnehaha] this book is written by history enthusiasts for history enthusiasts. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s interested in getting an overview of general knowledge about the lake without having to worry about abundant errors having gone unchecked. It’s because of all this that it’s likely to be the most thoroughly assembled book on this list.
8. Lake Minnetonka, A Pictorial History of Things and Places on Lake Minnetonka - Leo C. Meloche
Firstly, Meloche is a titan among Lake Minnetonka historians and this book is proof positive of that. Printed in 2004, it covers essentially all of the lake’s history post settlement. [1850-2000] It’s pages are filled with pictures, lithographs, and more which readers can use to get a clear idea of what their own neighborhoods once looked like. For someone looking to dip their toes into history, this is one of the best books to begin with.
9. Picturing Lake Minnetonka, A Postcard History - James W. Ogland
As an avid postcard collector and friend of Ogland, I may be biased when I say that this is a truly wonderful book. Published in 2001, his was among a handful of books to bring new life to the area’s historical scene. For decades prior, we saw books which, somewhat coldly, retold history through the specific lens of purpose driven learning. Conversely, this book is more photographic than textual and it’s done excellently. Ogland played a role in Minnehaha’s raising & restoration, collected postcards, and grew up on Crystal Bay where he experienced much of the area’s development first hand. These experiences come through terrifically in his book and I’ve had a signed copy on my bookcase for years. It’s also likely to be the best “coffee table” publication on this list!
10. Barefoot on Crane Island - Marjorie Myers Douglas
There are many scholarly books on this list, so it’s worth breaking it up with a selection that takes no aim at deep historical preachings! Published through the Minnesota Historical Society in 1998, Marjorie Meyers Douglas recounts her memories of summers spent at her family’s cabin on Crane Island on Upper Lake. It’s an incredible book that tugs on heartstrings and warms the soul with tales of children’s games, personal growth, and touches of history mixed together. I’ve read it cover to cover multiple times and I’m always saddened as I realize the book is coming to a close. Barefoot on Crane Island is an absolute love note to the experience of growing up on Lake Minnetonka, and perfectly encapsulates the emotional connection that often comes with that.
11. Minnetonka Story - Blanche Nichols Wilson
Originally published in 1950 Minnetonka Story covers the earliest days of settlement in the area, starting with the natives who called this place their own. It’s my personal opinion that this book is, somehow, the best known book to ever come out of Minnetonka. It’s a great read and covers some great history with relatively good accuracy. However, it has never grabbed me in the same way as the other books on this list have. Despite this, it clearly has spoken to a great many locals who’ve had it in their homes for longer than I’ve been alive.
12. The History of Big Island - Paul Maravelas
This is the newest book on this list, having been published in 2023. In many ways, it resembles a textbook more than a coffee table read and, in many ways, it is. Maravelas leaves no stone unturned in his journey through the lengthy history of Big Island. From native encampments to concrete amusement parks, he meticulously covers it all. Along the way, there are a bevy of pictures, maps, and diagrams to help readers grasp the subject matter. If you ever had any question about Big Island, this book has the answer. The only thing that might put people off is the price tag, as it often comes in at around $65. However, for the historically astute, the price should be no barrier to entry. Maravelas is fast becoming one of the area’s most credible & popular historians and I can’t recommend his book enough!
13 / 14. Picturesque Minnetonka - S.E. Ellis & Lake Minnetonka Historical Society [Proper]
Occupying two spots on this list, these are two versions of a book by essentially the same title & structure:
a 1906 version published by S.E. Ellis and a 1976 commemorative version produced by the Excelsior - Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, which is now part of LMHS. Personally, the 1906 edition is the one I tend to gravitate toward. Identified by the yellow/tan cover, the book looks at Minnetonka as it is, not as it was. It’s filled with ads, maps, and descriptions of sights long gone, which is exactly why I love it so much. The 1976 edition, identified by its blue & white cover, looks at the lake as it was and tackles history from a more dedicated and inclusive lens. It’s filled with far more images, captions, and descriptions, making both publications great reads in their own right.
15. All books & pamphlets by Darel & LaVerna Leipold
You almost can’t look at any historical signboard in the area without seeing a footnote mentioning the Leipolds. The couple are an institution of Excelsior and lifelong purveyors of local history. Over the decades, they’ve originated and reproduced a handful of books, pamphlets, and booklets touching on all manner of subjects. While they do have quite good accuracy, many of the copies can be hard to procure since they were produced and sold in somewhat small quantities rather than published on a large scale. If you get a chance to read any of them, I’d recommend taking notes!
(Image source: Google Images)
16. Excelsior Amusement Park, Playland of the Twin Cities - Greg Van Gompel
Published in 2017, this book is one of only a few on this list to cover history which, for many, is still well within living memory. Van Gompel is an expert on nearly all things Excelsior Amusement Park and it’s clear to see how he lends his knowledge to this book. It’s among my favorites for how easily the history flows off each page; a sign of a well thought out book, no doubt.
17. Salvaged Memories: The Raising of the Minnehaha - Jerry Provost
Originally published in 1996, Provost recounts his discovery and major role in salvaging the steamboat Minnehaha from the lake’s bottom. While often forgotten on the docket of Minnetonka books, it’s a great read to learn about the detailed, and often dangerous, process of bringing Minnehaha back into the light! Some may disagree with perpetuating the book, as it offers detailed coordinates of where a number of wrecks are located, but I feel that it’s worth mentioning because of how closely it looks at Minnehaha’s chance at a second life. Unfortunately, procuring a copy can be tricky but I’ve found a small handful of them appear on eBay each year. For this one, patience is key.
18. Guide and Map of Lake Minnetonka - Lake Minnetonka Historical Society [Proper]
Republished by the Westonka Historical Society (now LMHS) in 2000, this 1930’s era booklet offers a great wealth of accurate knowledge about the local history through the lens of history as it unfolded. It’s one of many light books and pamphlets produced by the historical society but stands out through its style, layout, and attraction to casual history lovers. I love revisiting this book for inspiration on things to go research elsewhere. As with others on this list, it’s a wonderful jumping off point!
(Photo source: Lake Minnetonka Historical Society)
19. Navarre, the Hub of Lake Minnetonka - Joan Wolfe & others
This 2014 title is likely one of the most underrated local books to be published in the last 20 years. Wolfe is best known for her operation of Gallery Navarre, an artist’s studio & framing shop located in Navarre and, later, Spring Park. Her book covers all things relating to Navarre history and she leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of accuracy. Readers will be shocked to find there’s much more than meets the eye to this small town! As someone who grew up in Navarre, I was thrilled to have learned as much as I did about the town I’d spent much of my formative years exploring. Copies can still be purchased at Gallery Navarre in Spring Park, which is now managed by Joan’s daughter, Wendy.
(Photo source: Gallery Navarre)
20. Growing up on Lake Minnetonka - Tom Rockvam
This series of five books and two photo albums published from 2006 - 2011 recounts the history of Minnetonka, as seen from Rockvam’s childhood view. While packed with fun history, it’s also easily the most detailed look into the “everyday” life that almost all the other books on this list miss out on. History as we live it, one day at a time, without thought. Every tomorrow eventually becomes yesterday, and that notion is perfectly encapsulated in this series of books. Fun side note - almost all copies of these books seem to be signed by Rockvam. I’m not sure how he found the time to sign so many of them!
(Photo source: eBay)
