"Welcome to the 20th Century" program to explore South Shore history April 14, 2025
Excelsior, MN — History lovers and longtime locals alike are invited to step back in time as the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS) presents “Welcome to the 20th Century: Excelsior and the South Shore” on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at Excelsior Brewing Company, 421 Third Street in Excelsior.
Led by local historian Joanie Holst, the presentation will trace the transformation of Excelsior and its neighboring communities at the dawn of the 20th century—a pivotal moment in Lake Minnetonka’s evolution. As mammoth steamboats faded from the shoreline and tourism trends shifted, the once-unified Excelsior Township splintered into the cities we know today: Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, and Excelsior, which emerged as the bustling heart of the South Shore.
With the arrival of the Twin Cities streetcar and the nearly 50-year run of the beloved Excelsior Amusement Park, the tiny lakefront town carved out a vibrant identity. Holst’s talk promises to be both informative and nostalgic, highlighting not only the major changes that shaped the area but also the familiar places and memories that remain.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. Admission is free, though a $5 donation is suggested to support the Society’s work. Due to limited capacity, attendees are encouraged to register in advance at tinyurl.com/bdfknvej or by visiting LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org.
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, formed in 2023 through the merger of four area historical groups, maintains one of the largest collections of Lake Minnetonka history. With museum locations in Excelsior, Mound, and Wayzata—and a Research Archives in Wayzata—the Society is also working to return the historic 1906 streetcar steamboat Minnehaha to active service.
For more information, visit LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org or contact the Society at info@LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org or 952-474-2115.
Image courtesy of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.