Excelsior in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Port of Excelsior

Legacy of the Lake

Photographed by McGhiever, April 14, 2023

1. Port of Excelsior Marker

Inscription.

If this little building could talk, it might tell some delightful tales of Excelsior's long history as the main gateway to recreational activities on beautiful Lake Minnetonka.

Built around 1920 by A. C. Weinholz, the building stood approximately 70 feet from this location and served as a ticket booth for streetcar boats outside The Blue Line Restaurant. In the 1940's, it was used as a bay side concession stand, and later served as a Kiosk at the Excelsior Amusement Park until the park closed in 1973. Excelsior resident Annemarie Stueck kept the building in her yard until 1989, when she donated it to the Excelsior Chamber of Commerce for historic preservation. Excelsior businessman Bob Bolles stored the structure until 1996, when its restoration by Bolles Construction became the centerpiece of a cooperative community project to enhance and beautify The Port of Excelsior.

The Excelsior Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission recognize the individuals, corporations, and organizations who have contributed to the success of the "Port of Excelsior: Legacy of the Lake" project.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 44° 54.274′ N, 93° 33.908′ W. Marker is in Excelsior, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It can be reached from the intersection of Water Street and Lake Street. The marker is inside the kiosk at the Port of Excelsior. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Water Street, Excelsior MN 55331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Minnehaha - Then & Now (here, next to this marker); The History of Lake Minnetonka (here, next to this marker); Your Are Here (here, next

Port of Excelsior Marker (right) inside the kiosk at the Port of Excelsior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, April 14, 2023

2. Port of Excelsior Marker (right) inside the kiosk at the Port of Excelsior

to this marker); The Excelsior Commons (here, next to this marker); A History of Excelsior (here, next to this marker); Big Island History (here, next to this marker); The Excelsior Amusement Park (here, next to this marker); Excelsior - Who We Are (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Excelsior.

The Port of Excelsior kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, April 14, 2023

3. The Port of Excelsior kiosk

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on November 5, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 3. submitted on November 10, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.