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1. tT", ,, r"''", %� • �ixG Vim+* H I ST(?Y CF 9 1 G ISLAND iD '/ETE?ANS C?.�,!? ON LAKE Poi N E-0i"IKA Big Island Veterans Camp occupies some 58 acres on the east end of Biq Island in lake Minnetonka. From the turn of the century to 1909, the Twin City Rapid Transit Company operated it as an amusement park. It had t-aice a day b2r'_ concerts, picnic areas, and amusements such as a rc coaster, Old Mill, and carousel. It entertained as many as 15,000 perso.is on a weekend. They were transported to the island from Excelsior on one of vix•800 passenger steamers that were built by the streetcar company to resemble their streetcars. The round trip, including admission to the park, was a dime. if you had a proper Transfer, even that charge was skipped. Express streetcars ran ever 10 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays from Minneapolis to Excelsior. The streetcar company lost some S250,000 on the venture and closed the park. Some of the .;te.::,iers were scuttled in the 90 foot depths Of the lake. In about 1920, an official of the streetcar compan, offered the use of the island and its facil;ties for a camp site for 4 e solders recuperating at Asbury Hospital. For tht next few years, an ad hoc comm'ttae operated thr, camp. In 1923 a law was passed establishing a Board of Governo ppropriating $10,000 for each of the next two years, and authorizinq the State sward of Control to lease 50 to 100 acres for use as a disabled veterans rest camp. In 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Berq were hired as managers. They remained in that pcsi'icn through 1°77. In the years that followed 1924, cabins and a large recrea'•.ion-dininq hall were built. In 1929, what is now Minnesota Statute 197.19 was passed, allowinq counties to appropriate S9,000 per year for veterans rest camps for needy veterans. In 1931, Minnesota Statute 197.19 was added, allowinq large counties `' appropriate S3,000 annually to such cz•nps. The state continued to appropriate $10,000 annually to the camp. In 1941, Minnesota Statute 197.13 was amended to authorizL 'he State Wztrd of Control to purchase a veterans rest camp. In 1947, the a.. was amended, aurhorizing the Board of Gover n.s to purchase that part of Big Island specificrilly, defining the powers of the Board and its Chariman. - : placing the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, in charge of any state approprl-It ions to the camp; virtually the form of *i)e-t:)ture today. On May 9, 1947, the Boars of Governors purchased the camo from the Minnetonka -nd White Hear Navigation Company (apparently a subsidiary of the streetcar com; it for $25.00C. Through •..e 1960's the c---,% continued to provide an inex- on or tv1 Ai.�hl .� m. ,,ate ,�taranc durifL•± its jLn[1__ ___3w�r_i'ay season.