Crane Island Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Crane Island Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Minnetrista, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | 9.6 acres (3.9 ha) |
| Built | 1907–1940 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001005 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1991 |
The Crane Island Historic District is a special area on Crane Island in Lake Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Minnesota. It's known for its old vacation homes and shared community spaces. This island was once developed by members of a church. Today, it's a welcoming place for everyone. In 1991, Crane Island was recognized as a historic district and added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.
Contents
What is Crane Island?
Crane Island is a unique collection of summer cottages. These homes were built between 1907 and 1940. It's like a small neighborhood where people used to spend their summer holidays. The island also has common areas that everyone could use.
A Special Place for Vacations
After the American Civil War, Lake Minnetonka became a very popular spot for vacations. People came from all over, especially from the eastern and southern United States. Later, as Minneapolis grew, more people from that city also came to the lake. It was a perfect escape for summer fun.
From Heron Home to Holiday Spot
Crane Island was different from other places on the lake. It wasn't developed for a long time because it was home to many heron birds. They had a large nesting area there, called a rookery. But in 1906, a big storm hit the island. It knocked down most of the trees in the middle of the island. The herons then moved to a nearby island called Wawatasso.
A man named Charles E. Woodward was on vacation in Mound. After the storm, he explored Crane Island. He thought it would be a great place for summer cottages. So, he gathered a group of people from his church, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. Together, they formed the Crane Island Association.
Building a Community
The Crane Island Association bought the island. They then divided it into many smaller pieces of land, called lots, where cottages could be built. The association also created a shared area in the center of the island. This "commons" area had a lodge for the caretaker, an icehouse, and a tennis court. It was designed like the common lands in New England. In those places, everyone in the community could use the shared land.
Getting to the Island
Getting to Crane Island was an adventure! Cottage owners could take the Great Northern Railway train. They would get off at the stations in Mound or Spring Park. From there, they would hire a private boat to take them to the island. Also, special yellow streetcar boats made two stops at the island every day. These boats ran from mid-May to September.
A Writer's Summer Memories
A writer named Marjorie Myers Douglas spent her summers on Crane Island. She started visiting when she was five years old in 1917. She continued going there until she finished college. Her book, Barefoot on Crane Island, tells many stories about her personal experiences. It shares what it was like to spend summers on the island.
