By Bette Hammel, author of Legendary Homes on Lake Minnetonka
One hundred years after it's founding, the Deephaven Centennial committee arranged a celebration for Russell M. Bennett’s grand estate, Cedarhurst.
The original house, a “northern southern colonial” was located at the top of a lengthy slope overlooking the lake. There was nothing else like this elegant property: the beautiful formal gardens, acres of other blooming gardens planted on the slope, a greenhouse, walking paths, a fountain and beach below at the lakeshore.
Magnificent trees marked the walking paths. Broken arrowheads found on the beach indicated that Dakota Indians once held court here. After the Centennial, home ownership grew rapidly in well designed homes scattered around the old property, The neighborhood then evolved with the changing times.
Begnining in the 1950s the property was subdivided to make way for contemporary residences. Stone arched pillars similar to the original, Northome entry, marks the drive into the Cedarhurst neighborhood. Today there are 19 homes throughout Cedarhurst including a drive that heads sharply downhill to a lagoon, a boat harbor commonly held by all 19 residents.
Around the corner is a sharp point of land, known as Gibson’s Point, marked by a distinctive house designed by Elizabeth Close and built by the original owner Robert Mann Benson.
Over on the north facing land is one of the newest homes, a contemporary, designed by Charles Stinson, owned by Judy and Richard Corson.
Further down that shoreline and definitely not part of Cedarhurst, is the site of once renowned Frank Lloyd Wright house.
Proceeding south down Northome Road, drivers will pass outstanding home sites where distinctive community leaders once lived including James and Laura Miles and the well known T. B. Walker and son, Archie Walker. If that name sounds familiar, it should as T.B. founded the popular Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
Other tastefully designed homes along the road face St. Louis Bay. The road finally dips toward its end, Sunset Point, a very pleasant spot right across the channel from the Minnetonka Yacht Club. Near the point was the Frank B. Jewett home, and later by his family who were popular sailors.
The first house built at the point, according to the late historian, Jim Wyer, was owned by Alice B.Taylor, followed by her son, Kingston Fletcher, and currently his daughter Alison Fletcher.
The house was obviously designed for entertaining, with an excessively long living room and plenty of seating at tables at one end.
The formal dining room lies in the next room while the kitchen is hidden behind closed doors nearby. Windows placed all around the house bring fantastic views of the lake. Many and sundry Wayzatans have enjoyed parties in this unique house.
It is well worth a drive to head for Northome Road and see its many pleasures for yourself. You can easily see why Deephaven and the Northome area are some of the most desireable of the Cities on Lake Minnetonka.
Legendary Homes of Lake Minnetonka was published October 15, 2009 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press and was written by Bette Hammel with photography by Karen Melvin.
The book details 30 of the most spectacular estates on Lake Minnetonka. It retails for $49.95 and is available at your favorite book seller.