Coney Island of the West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Coney Island of the West
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Coney Island of the West from the mainland
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake Waconia, Waconia Township, Minnesota |
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| Area | 31 acres (13 ha) |
| Built | 1880–1920 |
| Built by | Emile Amblard |
| Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001048 |
| Designated | August 11, 1976 |
Coney Island of the West is a special island in Lake Waconia, Minnesota. It used to be a very popular summer resort. This resort was busiest from the 1880s to the 1920s. It kept running until 1960.
The island is about 31 acres (13 ha) big. It is part of Waconia Township. The island is only about .5 miles (0.80 km) from the city of Waconia. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. It shows how people used to enjoy vacations in Minnesota's beautiful lakes.
Three main people helped build this resort: Lambert Naegele, Reinhold Zeglin, and Emile Amblard. They built hotels, cottages, and fun attractions. Today, you can still see some ruins of these old buildings. The Emile Amblard Guest House on the mainland is the best-preserved building from that time.
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Island History: A Fun Place to Visit
This island has been visited by people for over 1,500 years. It was first home to the Dakota people. Later, settlers from Europe came to the area in the mid-1800s. During the Dakota War of 1862, some settlers went to the island for safety. They chose the island because they could see far away. Luckily, the war ended before it reached Carver County.
The St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad bought the island in 1866. They sold it to private buyers in 1874. In 1884, Lambert Naegele bought the 31.85-acre (12.89 ha) island for $5,200. Waconia already had hotels, but Coney Island became the most popular. It helped make Waconia a favorite summer spot.
How Coney Island Got Its Name
Lambert Naegele developed the island and named it "Coney Island of the West." No one is completely sure why he chose this name.
- Some people think it was named after the famous Coney Island entertainment area in New York.
- Others believe it came from the many "coneys," or rabbits, that lived on the island.
- Another idea is that "Coney" is just a shorter way to say "Waconia."
There isn't enough proof to say which story is definitely true.
Building the Resort: Early Days
When Lambert Naegele first started, he divided the island into lots, parks, and streets. He named the streets after famous German writers. These included Goethe, Uhland, Schiller, and Lessing. He sold some plots of land to private owners.
Naegele also built a large hotel and private cabins. Guests could rent or buy these cabins. In 1886, more buildings were added. These included a new hotel, more cottages, and a boathouse. Lambert Naegele later became sick and moved to Montana. In 1889, he sold the hotel to Reinhold Zeglin.
Zeglin's Improvements and Famous Guests
Reinhold Zeglin, also a German immigrant, took over the resort. He planned a third hotel that could sleep many guests. With more space, the number of visitors grew. Zeglin added fun things like a bowling alley and Sunday concerts. He also built a laundry, dining room, kitchen, and a pavilion. In 1895, Zeglin rented the resort to Emil Krueger. But Zeglin returned to run it again in 1896.
The resort became very well-known. Guests would stay for weeks or even months. Some, like Emile Amblard, even stayed permanently. Amblard was a French winemaker who loved the island so much he never left. Visitors came from nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul and other parts of Minnesota. People also traveled from New York, Ohio, Illinois, and even from Europe and South Africa.
Some famous people visited too! The guest book from June 20, 1896, shows that movie star Sarah Bernhardt stayed there. Between 1903 and 1905, the University of Minnesota Gophers football team even held practices on the island.
Changes Over Time
Zeglin's sons took over the resort in 1909. But business started to slow down by 1919. Cars became more common, making it easier for people to travel farther. Vacationers began to choose other states for their summer trips.
In 1927, the island's name was changed to Paradise Island. This was done to try and attract more guests. But the new name didn't last. The Zeglin family sold the resort to Frank Dvorak in 1939.
Frank "Shorty" Dvorak bought land on the island in 1939. He added a dance hall, a restaurant, and more cabins. The island became a popular spot for weekend dinners and dancing. It was less of a long-term resort. Dvorak sold the complex in 1959. The island started to fall apart because it wasn't maintained well. In 1960, the contract went back to Dvorak. He was the last owner to run the island as an entertainment spot.
Coney Island Today
Since 1960, the island has had many private owners. Old buildings suffered from neglect and vandalism. In 1975, people started working to fix up the island. The Waconia Bicentennial Committee helped lead these efforts. In 1976, Coney Island of the West was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Starting in 2016, Carver County began developing the island. It is now part of Lake Waconia Regional Park. A plan for the island was approved in December 2016. This plan includes trails, camping spots, a garden, beaches, picnic areas, and a boat ramp. Soon, everyone will be able to visit and enjoy this historic island!
Images for kids
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Coney Island of the West from the mainland
