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

The Belle of Minnetonka & The City of Saint Louis

— Excelsior —

Photographed by McGhiever, April 14, 2023

1. The Belle of Minnetonka & The City of Saint Louis Marker

Inscription.

The Belle of Minnetonka - 300 feet long: The Belle was originally the Phil Sheridan in service on the Ohio River. It was rebuilt, renamed and launched on Lake Minnetonka during the summer of 1882. The Belle had a capacity of 2,500 people, often carrying nearly 3,000, and seating 250 for dinner. Captain "Cap" John Ropstol Johnson purchased the Belle from James J. Hill in the late 1800s and was its captain for most of its years in service.

The City of Saint Louis - 160 feet long: The "City," as it was called, was built in Jefferson, Indiana. It was disassembled and shipped to Wayzata where its owner, W. D. Washburn, had it and [sic] reassembled and launched in 1881. The City had a capacity of 1,000 passengers and the first inland vessel to have electric lights. It was later purchased by Captain Johnson of the Lake Minnetonka Navigation Company.

The Belle and the City were the two largest steam ships in Lake Minnetonka history. In 1897 the Belle was disassembled and its machinery was put to use in the Yukon in 1898, the City was modified and turned into a dredge boat that Cap Johnson used in his dredging business.

Erected 2017 by City of Excelsior Park and Recreation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 44° 54.276′ N, 93° 33.909′ 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 at the northwest corner of the kiosk. 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

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

The marker is on the opposite corner of this kiosk at the Port of Excelsior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, April 14, 2023

2. The marker is on the opposite corner of this kiosk at the Port of Excelsior

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on November 10, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.