Grandfathers Boathouse Lake Minnetonka - Minnesota

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1 Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - Minnesota Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 1 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

2 26 May This document is a work-in-process. Changes are frequently made. To view the latest version, click this link: id=0b4yvzhbulhadt0xkof9ozud4zda Please contact me regarding any boathouse I may have missed, or one on which you can contribute a bit of history. DISCLAMER This entire document is the property of Royal J Dossett. All or parts of this document may not be reproduced - either digitally or on paper - by any person or organization for financial gain. However...in the spirit of good boating and history, I hereby give my permission to any person or organization to reproduce any or all of this document - either digitally or on paper - for personal use or to convey to others to further promote interest in the boathouses on Minnetonka, provided no changes are made to the document. Royal J Dossett rjdossett@gmail.com TIPS ON USING THIS PDF This document is best read using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Computer. Just click the PDF file to open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Printed Page. Select and print a selected page(s) to take with you on a boating excursion. Printed Book. Print the entire document. Punch the long side of the pages for a three-ring binder. Or bind the pages using your favorite method. Smartphone (and Tablet). this PDF document to yourself and open the in your smartphone. Tap to open and read the attached PDF file. To save the file if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader in your smartphone, pressand-hold the PDF filename until several choices appear. Tap Copy to Adobe Acrobat. Now just tap the Adobe Acrobat icon at any time to access the PDF. The purpose of this document is to guide you on your boating travels on Minnetonka to observe these little jewels on the lake referred to as boathouses, and also to freeze them in time. Please me any information you might have on any specific boathouse to add to this historical document. Also, let me know of any errors you catch. Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 2 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

3 LAKE MINNETONKA BOATHOUSES The dictionary defines a boathouse as: ˈbōtˌhous noun a shed at the edge of a river or lake used for housing boats Minnetonka has hundreds of sheds that are often referred to as boat houses. But not many fit the above definition. In addition, many that did have been so substantially remodeled they no longer can store a boat. Selecting which structures to feature here was a difficult task. I selected those large enough to store a motor boat and close to, and facing, the shore. I further keyed as them as: Likely or obviously an old boathouse (violet numbers) All the rest (light green numbers) Historical notes (orange border on photo) Most old boathouses were built in the latter 1800 s to mid 1900 s. A lot of modifications have been done, especially during the 70 years since WWII ended, when the lake went from weekend jaunts to full time residency. Since the 1970's, building codes have not allowed hard cover ( footprint of a structure) within a certain distance from the shoreline, to allow rain run-off to soak into the ground. Almost anything installed prior to the codes can often be "grandfathered-in" as long as the footprint is not enlarged. Those that retain their original design with "garage" doors, and/or are over the water, are rare. Almost all have been replaced by boat lifts and canopies or totally remodeled for other purposes. Please let me know if you disagree with the key number color I have assigned (violet for likely old boathouses). LAKE MINNETONKA BAYS Minnetonka is a collection of over 30 lakes and bays. Many are connected to others by channels. Originally sacred to the Dakota Indians, Minnetonka was not colonized by white men until the 1850's. Minnetonka got its name from the words Minn-ni-tanka, big water in the Dakota language. The individual bay maps here show the water surface area in acres and shoreline in miles. The statistics are from Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) data of Their statistics reckon the lake to have: 14,3 acres and 125 mi shoreline. Longest: 10.9 miles (Halsted to Grays ) Widest: 5.8 miles Deepest: 1 ft (Crystal ) One final note. Some maps show bay names as possessive (Smith s or Smiths ) and other maps just a name (Smith ). I have used the Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) Multiple Dock 20 map titles, and bays divided by channels or points of land. This document shows Minnetonka s boathouses one bay at a time. Keep in mind that the shoreline may be closer or further away than when the boathouse was built, and there may have been no riprap (rocks used as a breakwater) at the time. See HISTORICAL NOTES for more information on pictures with orange frames. Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 3 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Stubbs Jennings Harrisons Forest West Arm North Arm Maxwell West Crystal East Crystal Tanager Smiths Browns Lower North Robinsons Wayzata Grays Libbs Halsted Priests Cooks West Upper Seton Emerald

4 Stubbs Jennings Harrisons Forest West Arm North Arm Maxwell West Crystal East Crystal Tanager Smiths Browns Lower North Robinsons Wayzata Grays Libbs Halsted Priests Cooks West Upper Seton Emerald Phelps Black Spring Park East Upper Carman Lafayette Old Channel Echo Gideon Lower South St Albans Excelsior St Louis Carsons Minnetonka Click for Google Maps South Upper Smithtown Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 4 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Boat Ramps Use the street address with your smartphone to find a boat ramp from car or boat.

It has a three-lane concrete ramp, three docks, and over 100 parking spaces. The water is generally calm, making launching and retrieving easy.

17232 Grays Blvd, Wayzata MN 55391 PARKING Cooks COOKS BAY 1 lane, 1 dock, 8 parking + street This ramp is on Commerce Blvd at the south end of downtown Mound.

The parking lot has only eight trailer spaces (not available on weekends and holidays) but parking on both sides of Commerce Blvd is allowed.

5 Boat Ramps Use the street address with your smartphone to find a boat ramp from car or boat. Grays PARKING GRAYS BAY 3 lanes, 3 docks, 100 parking The ramp is just adjacent to Cty Rd 1 at the south end of the Grays bridge. It has a three-lane concrete ramp, three docks, and over 100 parking spaces. The water is generally calm, making launching and retrieving easy. It s a short access to Wayzata under the 1 bridge Grays Blvd, Wayzata MN PARKING Cooks COOKS BAY 1 lane, 1 dock, 8 parking + street This ramp is on Commerce Blvd at the south end of downtown Mound. There is a single, wide concrete ramp and one dock. The parking lot has only eight trailer spaces (not available on weekends and holidays) but parking on both sides of Commerce Blvd is allowed. The ramp is a little tricky if the wind is from the south Commerce Blvd, Mound MN HALSTED BAY 2 lanes, 1 dock, 12 street parking The ramp is located in Minnestrista on Halstead Dr, south of Cty Rd 110, several miles west of Mound. There is a two-lane concrete ramp, one dock. Parking is on the road, with room for perhaps a dozen trailers. 71 Halstead Dr, Mound MN PARKING Halsted Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 5 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com Grays

PARKING MAXWELL BAY 3 lanes, 3 docks, 70 parking Located on Cty Rd 51 and Cty Rd 135, this ramp can launch three boats at a time, has three docks, and over 70 trailer parking spaces.

3366 Northshore Dr, Wayzata MN 55391 PARKING Maxwell East Crystal North Arm PARKING West Crystal NORTH ARM 2 lanes, no docks, 40 parking The ramp is located on Cty Rd 51 just east of Cty Rd 19 about

6 PARKING MAXWELL BAY 3 lanes, 3 docks, 70 parking Located on Cty Rd 51 and Cty Rd 135, this ramp can launch three boats at a time, has three docks, and over 70 trailer parking spaces. It is a short boat ride via channels to North Arm or to East Crystal, or straight north to Stubbs. The wind is usually calm Northshore Dr, Wayzata MN PARKING Maxwell East Crystal North Arm PARKING West Crystal NORTH ARM 2 lanes, no docks, 40 parking The ramp is located on Cty Rd 51 just east of Cty Rd 19 about half a mile west of the Maxwell ramp. There is a two-lane concrete ramp but no docks; launched boats can be tied to the two breakwater walls. There is parking for about 40 trailers. It is only a short boat ride via channels to Maxwell or to West Crystal. The wind is usually calm Northshore Dr, Wazata, MN Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 6 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

PARKING PHELPS BAY 1 lane, 2 docks, 5 parking. This small ramp, located on Tuxedo Rd, is used mostly by locals.

3630 Tuxedo Rd, Mound MN 55364 Phelps PARKING PARKING Spring Park SPRING PARK BAY 3 lanes, 2 docks, 8+40 parking This launch area is on Cty Rd

There is a three-lane ramp and two docks, but only eight trailer parking spaces.

7 PARKING PHELPS BAY 1 lane, 2 docks, 5 parking. This small ramp, located on Tuxedo Rd, is used mostly by locals. It has a one-lane concrete ramp, sometimes docks, room for about four or five trailers Tuxedo Rd, Mound MN Phelps PARKING PARKING Spring Park SPRING PARK BAY 3 lanes, 2 docks, 8+40 parking This launch area is on Cty Rd 15 at the intersection of Sunset Dr, next to the Sheriff s Water Patrol building. There is a three-lane ramp and two docks, but only eight trailer parking spaces. However, there is a large overflow parking area about a third of a mile to the east that can accommodate about 40 trailers. Launching and retrieving can be a bit tricky if there is a strong wind from the south Shoreline Dr, Spring Park MN Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 7 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

The trailer parking lot is a steep quarter mile hike from the launch ramp and has room for about 50 trailers.

8 WEST UPPER LAKE. 2 lanes, 2 docks, 50 parking The launch area is in Minnetonka Regional Park, on Cty Rd 44 just north of Hwy 7. The two-lane concrete ramp has two docks. The trailer parking lot is a steep quarter mile hike from the launch ramp and has room for about 50 trailers. There is a $5 parking fee unless you have an annual pass to the park Cty Rd 44, Minnestra MN West Upper West Upper PARKING Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 8 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

9 BBrowns 696 acres, 3.7 mi shoreline Named for James B. Brown, an early settler on the lake from Kentucky. Tanager Browns Lookout Spirit Smiths Lower North Bracketts Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 9 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

10 C Carman 294 acres, 3.9 mi shoreline Named after John Carman, one of the first white settlers in the area in He moved to Mound in 1860 and helped organize the town government. He went back east around Note the several over-water boathouses in the lagoon. 09 Lafayette 10 Carman Narrows Bridge Spring Park Casco East Upper Locke Old Channel Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 10 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

C Carsons St Louis Carsons 116 acres, 2.

brother of the famous Kit Carson - who settled

The bay was called Pig Inlet until 1876.

Louis, MO, who built the Hotel St Louis.

11 C Carsons St Louis Carsons 116 acres, 2.7 mi shoreline Named after Elijah Carson - brother of the famous Kit Carson - who settled in the area in the early 1850 s. The bay was called Pig Inlet until St Louis 20 acres, 0.6 mi shoreline Named by Charles S. Gibson, a lawyer from St. Louis, MO, who built the Hotel St Louis. Swift Lower North Sunset Light House St Louis Bug Carsons Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 11 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

12 C Cooks 343 acres, 2.2 mi Shoreline Named after Mathias S. Cook, who built the first log hotel on the lake around 1854, replacing it in 1868 with a three-story 50 room frame building. Boat ramp has limited parking but street parking is allowed. Cooks Al & Alma s Supper Club Priests Hardscrabble West Upper Cedar Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 12 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

13 C Crystal West 325 acres, 2.5 mi East 487 acres, 4.2 mi shoreline Named for its crystalline water by Allen French, a Quaker from Ohio. Some of the shallowest and deepest (1 ft) water in Minnetonka is in East Crystal Maxwell North Arm East Crystal 11 West Arm West Crystal 12 Arcola Bridge Lower North Spring Park Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 13 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

14 E East Upper 814 acres, 4.6 mi shoreline Another large body of water on the lake. Spring Park Casco Carman Locke Spray East Upper Howard Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 14 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

15 E Echo 15 acres, 0.5 mi shoreline Essentially part of Lower South. Mah-pi-ya-ta (celestial peace maiden) was a Dakota maiden. The little island bearing her name is often considered part of Big today. Lafayette Big Echo Lower South Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 15 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

George Bertram and Company from New York. The entire bay is no-wake.

16 E Excelsior 90 acres, 1.2 mi shoreline Meaning ever upward, the town and bay were named by early settlers George Bertram and Company from New York. The entire bay is no-wake. Upper South Excelsior Solberg St Albans Maynards Supper Club Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 16 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

17 F Forest 82 acres, 1.8 mi Named after it s heavily wooded shoreline. A narrow channel to West Arm was dredged in the mid 1800 s. Forest West Arm Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 17 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

18 G Gideon 330 acres, 4.4 mi shoreline Named for Peter Gideon who settled here in 1853, and who developed the Wealthy apple, named after his wife. Sunrise Excelsior Gideon Duck Frog Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 18 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

19 G Grays 180 acres, 3.2 mi shoreline Once edged with wild rice and water lilies. First named Browning (after Elizabeth Barrett Browning) then Outlet, then named for Amos N. Gray, a carpenter who took claims around the lake in A bridge at the end of a peninsula (now a causeway) was built in Boat ramp just off Hwy 1 has three lanes and over 100 trailer parking spots. Grays is no-wake on weekends and holidays. 1 Banta Wayzata Grays Libbs Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 19 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Mary, and host picnic parties on his grounds.

20 H Halsted 545 acres, 7.3 mi shoreline Named for the Halstead brothers, often called the hermits. Captain Frank arrived in 1855 from New Jersey, built the Hermitage in Major George arrived later. Frank drowned in George stayed to run a passenger boat, the Mary, and host picnic parties on his grounds. He died in 19 in a fire that burned the Hermitage. The boat ramp has limited on-street parking. Eagle Bluff Priests Six Mile Creek Kings Halsted West Upper Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 20 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

21 H Harrisons 215 acres, 3.5 mi shoreline Named for Captain Nathaniel S. Harrison, a boat builder. He also had a large rice farm on the north shoreline in Jennings Harrisons West Arm Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 21 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

22 J Jennings 290 acres, 3.5 mi shoreline Named after Frederick W. Jennings, a printer from New York, who cleared land on the west end of West Arm. Jennings 09 Woodland Skogsberg 09 West Arm Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 22 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Hill s huge Lafayette Hotel, which opened in

between Carman and Lafayette - now spanned

Lafayette Lower North Narrows Bridge Big

23 L Lafayette 454 acres, 3.8 mi shoreline Named for James J. Hill s huge Lafayette Hotel, which opened in 1892 and burned down in Rev. Stephen Hull widened a creek in 1877 to allow passage between upper and lower lake - between Carman and Lafayette - now spanned by the Narrows Bridge. Lafayette Lower North Narrows Bridge Big Carman Echo Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 23 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Libbs was not attached to Grays until a long channel was

24 L Libbs 17 acres, 1.1 mi shoreline Named in 1890 for Elizabeth (Lib) Ogin, who came to care for her bachelor brother Henry. She later married and had two children. Libbs was not attached to Grays until a long channel was dredged in the 1800 s. Grays Libbs Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 24 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

25 L Lower North 2,090 acres, 5.5 mi shoreline The biggest bay on the lake. Can be quite rough with heavy boat traffic and/or high winds. Smiths Browns Spirit Breezy Arcola Bridge Lower North Gibson Robinsons 12 Big Charming Lower South Sunset Swifts St Louis Carsons Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 25 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

26 L Lower South Lafayette 978 acres, 4.4 mi shoreline A big area of the lake south of Big. Big Charming Swifts Fergson Echo Gale Crown Lower South 09 Sunrise Gideon Excelsior St Albans Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 26 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

M Maxwell 300 acres, 3.7 mi Named for John Maxwell from Scotland - a fifer in Duke of Wellington s army - who settled here around 1854.

27 M Maxwell 300 acres, 3.7 mi Named for John Maxwell from Scotland - a fifer in Duke of Wellington s army - who settled here around Supposedly his fife music could be heard for miles on the lake He died in The boat ramp is one of the largest on the lake. Stubbs Maxwell North Arm East Crystal Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 27 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

28 N North Arm 319 acres, 4.7 mi shoreline Originally named Haines for Ben and Lucy Haines who used inherited money to build a hotel (boarding house) in name was changed to North Arm around The boat ramp has a large parking area. Stubbs Maxwell Forest North Arm West Crystal Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 28 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

29 O Old Channel 1 acres, 1.3 mi Lafayette Carman Narrows Bridge Locke Old Channel Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 29 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

30 P Phelps 345 acres, 3.7 mi Shoreline Named for Carrington Phelps, early English settler. A small boat ramp has limited parking for perhaps five trailers. Pelican Goose Phelps Enchanted Shady West Upper South Upper Howards Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 30 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

31 P Priests 44 acres, 2.1 mi shoreline Named after J.D. Priest who had a farm nearby in Halsted Priests Cooks Hardscrabble West Upper Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 31 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

32 R Robinsons 92 acres, 3.5 mi Named for Alfred. B. Robinson, a professional soldier from Vermont who moved to Wayzata and later to Deephaven. He farmed around the shoreline in the 1800 s. His wife aided in the birth of twins nard and Bernard Shaver, first births in the area. Lower North Robinsons Gibson Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 32 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

S Smiths 266 acres, 1.9 mi shoreline Named for Mr/Mrs Elliot Smith from Maine, first permanent settlers on its shores about 1857.

33 S Smiths 266 acres, 1.9 mi shoreline Named for Mr/Mrs Elliot Smith from Maine, first permanent settlers on its shores about The bay is almost entirely surrounded by shoreline roads. Browns Smiths Bracketts East Crystal Arcola Bridge Lower North Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 33 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

34 S Smithtown 110 acres, 1.2 mi shoreline Three Smith brothers claimed this part of the lake in South Upper Smithtown Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 34 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

35 S South Upper 722 acres, 6.6 mi shoreline. Wawatosa is often called Boy Scout. West Upper Enchanted Shady Howard East Upper 09 South Upper Wawatosa Eagle 09 Smithtown Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 35 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

36 S Spring Park 378 acres, 2.6 mi shoreline Named after the city on which it s shores reside. A boat ramp at the north end - next to the sheriff s water patrol - has a few parking places, with a big lot about three blocks away. 12 Sherriff's Water Patrol Black Spring Park Carman Pelican 09 Goose Phelps Spray East Upper Casco Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 36 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

37 S St Albans 161 acres, 2.9 mi shoreline Named by Enos Day, born in St. Albans Vermont in 1800 and moved to Excelsior around St Albans Excelsior Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 37 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

38 S Stubbs 195 acres, 2.5 mi Named for the Henry Stubbs family, Quakers from Ohio, who settled here in the early 1850 s. Henry established the first post office in the area. Stubbs Maxwell Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 38 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

39 T Tanager 51 acres, 1.1 mi shoreline A stand-alone lake eventually connected by a short channel to Browns. Tanager Browns Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 39 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

T Three s Emerald 13 acres, 1 mi shoreline.

Entirely no-wake Named for Mother Elizabeth Seton, a

A summer girls home Seton Guild was once here.

40 T Three s Emerald 13 acres, 1 mi shoreline. Entirely no-wake Seton 44 acres, 2.2 mi shoreline. Entirely no-wake Named for Mother Elizabeth Seton, a Catholic Saint. A summer girls home Seton Guild was once here. Black 76 acres, 3.2 mi shoreline. No-wake on north side. Harrisons West Arm Seton Cooks Emerald Black Spring Park Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 40 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

41 W Wayzata 1778 acres, 5.5 mi shoreline Named after the city of Wayzata, Dakota (Souix) for north shore. Wayzata was first settled in Note the large number of boathouses on the NW shore; several likely were not boathouses originally Wayzata COV Supper Club Wicks Breezy Cedar Lookout Spirit Lower North Woolsey Pond Grays Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 41 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

42 W West Arm 514 acres, 3.9 mi shoreline + 57 acres, 1.8 mi shoreline Named for it s geographical location. Includes Coffee Cove. Jennings Skogsberg North Arm West Arm West Crystal Harrisons Shadywood Deering Fagerness Lord Fletcher s Supper Club Coffee Cove Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 42 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

43 W West Upper 873 acres, 4.6 mi shoreline The largest body of water in the western part of Minnetonka. The boat ramp is in the Minnetonka Regional Park. Priests Hardscrabble Cooks Phelps West Upper Crane Wawatosa Eagle South Upper Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 43 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Forest 1300 Vine Place, Mound MN West Arm 4315 North Shore Drive, Mound MN In 1994, the boathouse was still in use, having tracks running from the lake into the lower level of the boathouse.

44 HISTORICAL NOTES The boathouses on Minnetonka offer some rare glimpses into the past, from the 1850 s to the present. Depending on when you are reading this, some may have disappeared, or have been further remodeled. Here are some historical notes on some of these treasures (orange photo borders on bay maps). Forest 1300 Vine Place, Mound MN West Arm 4315 North Shore Drive, Mound MN In 1994, the boathouse was still in use, having tracks running from the lake into the lower level of the boathouse. The tracks were removed when the owner s boat was too big to fit through the garage door. The lower level is currently used for storage of beach toys and yard tools. The upper level is a very nice party room. Info from Sanford Erickson The Solbakken home was originally built in In 23 the owner tore down the original home and built a Taj Mahal on the same site. The boathouse could have been built before or around the turn of the century. Info from various sources Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 44 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

Wayzata 2670 Marshland Rd, Wayzata MN Lower North 12 On the channel to Woolsey Pond.

My wife thought it would make a nice "man cave" for me and helped me deck it out a few years later.

Info from Denny Newell Photos below by Karen Melvin North side of Big (formerly called Meeker and Morse ).

45 Wayzata 2670 Marshland Rd, Wayzata MN Lower North 12 On the channel to Woolsey Pond. The boat house was built in the 60s as a shed to store boat gear. It was a mess when we purchased the property in My wife thought it would make a nice "man cave" for me and helped me deck it out a few years later. We continue to upgrade it as we find new nautical gear. Info from Denny Newell Photos below by Karen Melvin North side of Big (formerly called Meeker and Morse ). Part of the Olaf A Searle estate and mansion built in 1891, and burned down in Parts of the stone foundation for the 21-room mansion can be seen today. The "boathouse" may have housed boats, but appears to have been burned out inside, or used later as a smoke house. Info from various sources Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 45 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

46 MORE LAKE MINNETONKA and BOATHOUSE INFO Minnetonka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia WHCPA - Pioneer Museum Long Minnesota local history and genealogy Excelsior - Minnetonka Historical Society Contact Us - Minnetonka Conservation District To protect and preserve Minnetonka Amazon.com: lake minnetonka: Books Museum of Minnetonka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Note: these links can be instantly accessed by clicking the link name here. These are not links that can be typed into a browser. PLACES ON THE LAKESHORE On your iphone just ask Siri. On Android phones, use Google Maps. Tap the microphone symbol then say "Where is... street address." Hennepin Cty Sheriff Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN Al & Almas - 52 Piper Rd, Mound, MN to Boat Club view Av, Excelsior, MN view Events Center Excelsior, MN COV Wayzata St E, Wayzata, MN Greenwood Marina Minnetonka Blvd, Excelsior, MN Howards Marina Howards Pt, Excelsior, MN Lord Fletchers Sunset Dr, Spring Park, MN Maynards Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, MN Metro s Marina & Rent Edgewater Dr, Mound, MN North shore Marina Shoreline Dr, Wayzata, MN Rockvam Boatyards - 48 Sunset Dr, Spirng Park, MN St Albans Marina Minnetonka Blvd, Excelsor, MN Shorewood Yacht Club Smithtown Rd, Excelsior, MN Tonka Marina Tonka Rd, Tonka, MN Tonka Grill & BBQ - 46 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park,MN Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 46 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

SOME TECHNICAL INFO The photographs were taken with a small Canon SD1000 digital camera with 7 megapixel resolution, and with an iphone 5S. The photos were taken in summer 25.

47 SOME TECHNICAL INFO The photographs were taken with a small Canon SD1000 digital camera with 7 megapixel resolution, and with an iphone 5S. The photos were taken in summer 25. The photos were taken from a 15 inflatable boat with 20 hp outboard motor. This document was created using Apple s Pages word processor software (with over 1200 graphic items) and exported for distribution as a PDF document. The thumbnail photos shown here were reduced in resolution in converting the Pages document to an able PDF. Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 47 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

48 POSTSCRIPT History is a series of snapshots in time. This document presents an historical snapshot of Minnetonka boathouses the summer of 25. ABOUT ME Off-lake. I lived in various places in the metro area from college days (University of Minnesota, ). I boated on Minnetonka frequently in a wide variety of boats from an 8 hydroplane to a 32 houseboat. I am not a fisherman but rather loved to explore the lake, and yes, did a bit of partying. Cooks. I moved to Cooks (on Piper Rd, a couple of blocks from Al & Alma s supper club) in The property comprised a point of land with about 280 of shoreline. Although there was no boathouse, I built a tramway down to the dock on the north side of the point. The house likely dated back to the 1930 s. Dr Winters of the U of M experimental apple farm (across the street) once owned the house. One apple tree on the property still yielded three types of apples when I moved in - one sweet, one sour, and one miniature (crab apple?). Carman. I moved to Carman on Pheasant Rd in The property featured 150 of south-facing shoreline on the open lake. When I moved in, there was an over-water wood boat canopy with an enclosed shed on the shore. There appeared to have been at one time a winch in the shed to lift a boat out of the water via a pulley system, with rings on the boat hull. The over-water structure was in disrepair and I removed it but kept the shed - which subsequent owners removed. The house was built in 1943, the first house on the plotted historical Pheasant Lawn property. It was replaced in the early 2000 s. Off-lake. I moved off the lake in But as they often say you can take a person out of the farm but you can t take the farm out of the person. The same is often true of Minnetonka. In 25, just for an excuse to be on the lake, I began photographing boathouses on the lake. Although still a work in process, this document shows the status of boathouses the summer of 25. Incidentally, my maternal grandfather Duncan Lamont piloted many boats on the lake, including the 19 streetcar boat Hopkins after it was repainted in 1927, powered by a gasoline engine, renamed the Minnetonka, and served as a tourist boat. (That boat s ship s wheel is now on the restored streetcar boat Minnehaha.) Captain Dunc also operated the speedboat Minneapolis when it was a tourist boat docked by the old Blue Line cafe in Excelsior in the 1940 s. I guess Minnetonka is in my genes. Royal Dossett Grandfathers Boathouse Minnetonka - 26 May!- Page 48 - Property of Royal J Dossett - rjdossett@gmail.com

2011 Lake Minnetonka Zebra Mussel Study Summary December 8, 2011

2011 Lake Minnetonka Zebra Mussel Study Summary December 8, 2011 Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Minnetonka on July 27, 2010. Quickly, MCWD and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)