Seven Years, Minnehaha’s Absence on Minnetonka
Photo by Aubrianna Ackerman, 10/06/2019
Believe it or not, it’s been six full years since the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society’s crown jewel, steamboat Minnehaha, has seen passenger service. Her final voyage was on October 6, 2019.
My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to be aboard Minnehaha for that final voyage and, unknowingly, she and I would be the last passengers to step off her decks for what ended up being the last time. She nearly had to drag me off the boat! The weather that day was sunny, breezy, and cool. . . Truly the perfect day to enjoy a ride aboard such a historic boat and large part of our shared history in the Minnetonka community.
Since then, I’ve often been asked if I know anything about Minnehaha and her current state. I can say these things:
1. She is in, perhaps, better condition now than at any point in the past 119 years of her existence. Through the diligent oversight and loving attention given to her from LMHS, Minnehaha has undergone major hull restoration to bring her back to top condition. As well, I understand that her boiler and triple expansion steam engine are in good condition and ready to function when she returns to the water. Perhaps the worst part is simply the layer of dust needing to be wiped off her windows, which is an easy fix!
2. There are some talks about potential options for her future, but nothing is totally secured. For privacy reasons, I won’t share what the options are, but I can say that it will prove to be a massive undertaking which can only be accomplished by the will and dedication of our entire community. The hurdles that Minnehaha and LMHS face to returning her to active service are substantial.
3. How can you get updates fresh from the source? Joining the Lake Minnetonka Historical society’s newsletter will, on occasion, give updates as to the boat’s condition and hopeful future.
Minnehaha is among a rare group of few steamboats to have been sunk for decades, raised, and fully restored for active service. More so, she is essentially the only functioning streetcar boat in the United States and, with her storied career, is truly one of a kind. The fate of this wonderfully preserved piece of our local, and national, history is in the hands of those community members who are willing to donate time, knowledge, and finance to her cause.
Now going into the 7th year, we miss you steamboat Minnehaha!