The Perfect Summer Retreat!
Image source: Minnesota Digital Library
A brief disclaimer:
This story was produced as part of a creative writing program in conjunction with the Minnesota Digital Library. The overarching tale is fictional but many historical details, proper names, and locations are accurate to history, as it was, circa 1908. This article has been reposted for the enjoyment of the reader. It can be taken as accurate with regard to a description of an average tourist’s experience of the Big Island Amusement Park. No further.
“Finally, at long last, we’re here!” thought twelve year old Esther as her family stepped onto the platform of the Twin City Rapid Transit Company’s station in Excelsior. She, her two brothers, and parents had spent what felt like an eternity riding the streetcar from their home near the state Capitol to Lake Minnetonka, where they planned to enjoy a day at Big Island Amusement Park.
Upon their arrival, Esther couldn’t help but be enamored by the sight of four mammoth steamboats lined up at the docks ahead of her. Each of the bright white wooden boats sat idly in their berths with small plumes of blackened smoke rising from their funnels. Throngs of people waited in line to board, and distinct groups seemed to chatter amongst themselves as they unanimously shuffled forward. The family waited on wooden benches, bleached by the summer’s sun, while Father purchased tickets aboard the boats. Ether’s older brother Emil tugged at Mother’s sleeve, nearly begging, “Mama, can we ride aboard the Saint Paul? It’s less crowded and she’s even named after our own city!” Esther smiled to herself, anticipating Mother’s warm reply before it even began, “We will see. I’m not certain Father can decide that, or if we’re to be assigned a boat. The fun waits at the other end anyway, wouldn’t you agree?”
For her part, Esther couldn’t be bothered with such trivial desires. It didn’t matter which boat delivered them to the island, only that they made it there as quickly as possible. She’d heard that they’d recently erected a tower, complete with electric lights and a balcony to view the entire lake! Not to mention the terrific rides, games, and band’s serenading. Esther glanced up at an informational board on the station wall, donning a banner for the Innes Band, who’d be recreating popular songs by John Phillip Sousa. She especially wished they’d play “The Washington Post March” and hoped to be allowed to dance alongside the adults.
As she dreamed of the day ahead, Father returned to the group with tickets in hand. “Let’s all get moving, we’re expected aboard Minneapolis in twenty minutes!” Emil’s disapproval for their assigned boat was visible upon his face, as he quietly pouted to himself. As the family stood, Esther decided to take Father’s hand. Mother’s were clearly occupied with the ever growing weight of her five year old son, Teddy. In what felt more like a hurried shuffle through a cattle corral than an approach to an elegant steamboat, the family boarded Minneapolis and made their way to her upper deck.
Split cane benches lined the boat’s perimeter and, being among the first aboard, the family had their choice of nearly any spot on the boat. Father decided Esther would choose their seats, which had them situated near the boat’s rear. In truth, there was no bow or stern, as these ferries were designed to travel both in forward and reverse at the same speed with helms at either end. Father situated the children in the rear bench before he and Mother settled into the next one forward.
While her brothers leaned over the wooden railing, watching the crew release Minneapolis from her mooring, Esther couldn’t help but keep her gaze affixed on her parents. Mother’s dress danced in the afternoon breeze while Father’s Panama hat dared to escape his head for the water below. She was sure it would too, as the boat pushed into the open waters of Lake Minnetonka. They were a grand couple, she marveled. Mother’s head resting weightlessly on his shoulder as he, typically stoic, kept his eyes fixed toward the ever distant shoreline. Boats made him uneasy and Esther couldn’t help wondering how he could be uncomfortable aboard such a large boat standing so high above the waterline.
Finally, her eyes wandered toward the island ahead. From here, faint music could be heard making its way across the expanse. Suddenly, there it was! The gleaming white tower stood high above the island’s trees like a church steeple breaking above the city skyline back home. As they neared the park’s dock, the boat’s bell rang out. To the children, its ring was as good as any starting pistol, signaling the approaching fun that had been enticing them since the morning. They watched the workers tie Minneapolis to the dock and, in a flash, the family was off to what was certain to be a perfect summer retreat at Big Island Park!
For further reference, the boats depicted are named [Left to right] Excelsior, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, Saint Paul. The latter three are twin sisters built by the Twin City Rapid Transit Company while Excelsior was a previously existing boat built in 1901 and purchased by the company later in life. For reference on Excelsior, please see article, “The Last of a Generation - Steamboat Excelsior”.
