The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS) is inviting the community to step back in time and explore the rich history of rail travel along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The event, titled “The Reach of the Rail – All Aboard for the North Shore,” will be hosted on Thursday, November 21, at 7:00 pm in the Wayzata Community Room, located at 600 Rice Street East in Wayzata. Dennis Bartholow, a well-known railroad historian, will lead the presentation, recounting Wayzata’s 157-year journey as a key stop on the rail line.
The program promises to bring to life the early days of rail travel, from the arrival of the Saint Paul & Pacific Railway in 1867, which first connected Wayzata to the region, to the present-day Burlington Northern Santa Fe line, which still hugs the lakeshore today. Bartholow will delve into the rail histories of neighboring communities Woodland, Orono, and Minnetonka Beach, shedding light on how the rail industry influenced the lake’s development.
This engaging look into Lake Minnetonka’s rail past comes at a unique time for the newly formed LMHS. Officially established in October 2023, the Society is the result of a merger between several local historical organizations: the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, the Museum of Lake Minnetonka, the Wayzata Historical Society, and the Westonka Historical Society. Together, these groups have united to build one of the area’s largest collections of local artifacts, archives, and historical exhibits, spanning over a century of lake life and culture.
The Society’s archives, housed in Wayzata, are a treasure trove for anyone interested in Lake Minnetonka’s history, offering both in-person and online access to thousands of documents and objects. In addition to this vast collection, LMHS maintains museums in Excelsior, Mound, and Wayzata, preserving the stories of lake towns for future generations. The Society also hopes to bring back the historic 1906 streetcar steamboat Minnehaha to active operation, a beloved floating museum that once again would offer visitors a glimpse into the past from the lake’s sparkling waters.
Although admission to “The Reach of the Rail” is free, space is limited, and attendees are encouraged to pre-register. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with a suggested contribution of $5 to support the Society’s programs and operations. Registration is available here.
Visit the LMHS website at LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org, call 952-474-2115, or email info@LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org.
