Vintage Fishing
Vintage Fishing
The Golden Years of Minnesota Tourism
From the 1860's through the 1930's, Minnesota was a travel Mecca for sportsmen and woodswomen from the east coast and the deep south. It was touted as "America's Favorite Fun-spot," "The Ideal Destination for Out-of-door Vacations," and America's Vacation Wonderland," among other fanciful titles. People from New York to Alabama climbed aboard James J. Hill's Great Northern Railway to get a glimpse of the new frontier, rumored to have more than 10,000 lakes.
In the early days, the rustic areas surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul were teeming with visitors searching for pristine, natural settings. The Twin City Trolley Line ran tracks from the cities to rural communities, such as Stillwater, the birthplace of Minnesota, and Lake Minnetonka, a sprawling irregular body of water with many islands and over 100 miles of shoreline.
Steamboat companies sprang up to accommodate the many travelers hoping for tours of the breathtaking St. Croix River Valley and the many bays of Lake Minnetonka. The tour boats were followed by grand Victorian hotels with expansive views, electric lights and running water. The trolley car company built three spectacular amusement parks within 15 miles of Minneapolis and St. Paul - the most scenic of which was Big Island Park, built on an island in the middle of Lake Minnetonka. This park featured a dance hall, a network of charming promenades and a towering electric light house that was visible from all points of the lake. Massive steamships, including the "City of St. Louis" which could carry 1,000 passengers, ferried visitors to and from the island.
As the railroads pushed further north, tourists ventured into the central regions of Minnesota, including Alexandria, the Chain of Lakes north of Brainerd, and Lake of the Woods at Warroad on the Canadian border. Rustic log resorts sprang up on popular lakes, offering hunting, fishing, sailing, hiking, golf and tennis, among other outdoor pass-times.
One of the most enduring resorts is the Naniboujou Lodge, which is still located on the shores of Lake Superior. This fabulous get-away was built in the 1920's. It's cavernous great room was decorated from floor to ceiling with magnificent Cree Indian hieroglyphs. A huge river rock fireplace anchors one end of the room, which is filled with rustic, but cozy furniture. Regular visitors included Babe Ruth and Ring Lardner, the New York newspaperman.
Another famous get-away, still in-tact, is Breezy Point Resort, a wonderful assortment of cabins surrounding a classic log lodge on a point in Pelican Lake. This was the quintessential 1920's rustic Minnesota vacation spot, with a fleet of boats for rent, fishing guides and long, sandy beaches surrounded by tall pine and birch trees. It was built by "Captain" Billy Fawcett, publisher of the popular "Whiz Bang" magazine. Captain Billy was well-known in Hollywood and Breezy Point soon became a favorite fun-spot for the likes of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, western star Tom Mix and boxer Jack Dempsey.
As Minnesota's travel industry grew, the newly founded Minnesota Department of Tourism began publishing promotional posters and travel guides. Minnesota had already become a favorite destination for graphic artists, and the quality of these promotional materials was among the best in the nation. Pamphlets and prints featured marvelous pastoral scenes of bathing beauties, rugged sportsmen and unspoiled vacation spots, accompanied by charmingly romantic advertising text.
Many examples of these promotional materials, representing the golden years of Minnesota tourism, can be seen at www.MinnesotaPosters.com.
About the Author
Chris Foote is a resident of Deephaven, a sleepy village on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is a painter and graphic artist who restores vintage travel materials in his spare time, reproducing them as fine art prints. To see examples of vintage Minnesota travel posters, please visit: www.MinnesotaPosters.com.
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 Vintage Fishing Hooks DAME STODDARD CO BOSTON HARRISONS OPTIMUS BRAND  US $9.99
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 Vintage Frog style fishing lure No Reserve US $7.00
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 ANTIQUE VINTAGE WOOD FISHING LURE BOBBER CORK FLOAT US $9.99
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 VINTAGE STRIKE KING FISHING LURE US $9.99
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 VINTAGE HULA DANCER FISHING LURE SILVER GREEN US $9.99
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 2 Pfeffer Style Florida Wood Baits Secret Cove w Wood Box Vintage Joel Griner US $16.00
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 VINTAGE HULA DANCER FISHING LURE BLACK US $9.99
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 Vintage Paul Bunyan Flash Eye Spoon Jig Flasher Fishing Lure US $9.99
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 VINTAGE JOINTED LUCKY STRIKE FISHING LURE WOOD US $9.99
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 VINTAGE JOINTED FISHING LURE WOOD CCB CO GARRETT IND US $9.99
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 Heddon Fishing Lure Collection Chugger Spook Runt US $139.00
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 VINTAGE ERIE DEARIE GREEN WHITE TONE FISHING LURE WALLEYE KILLER US $4.95
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 Vintage Edwards Fly Reel No 40 Chicago IL Original Box FISHING OLD TROUT NR US $15.50
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 Lot of Vintage Salmon Trolling Lures Flashers 3 new in pkg Appox 25 pieces US $26.00
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 Nice vintage PENN SPINFISHER 704 REEL working well and ready for new line US $54.99
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 Vintage Diamond 3 Spoon Jig Flasher Fishing Lure US $1.99
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 VINTAGE FISHING LURE HEDDON CHUGGER SPOOK US $19.99
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 Vintage Fishing Hooks H MILWARD SONS REDDITCH ENGLAND Tied With Silk US $4.99
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 Vintage Creek Chub Pikie Minnow Fishing Lure US $9.99
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 Vintage Bayou Boogie Shiner Fishing Lure US $2.99
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 Vintage Foldable fishing net US $8.00
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 Vintage Abu Svangsta Garcia Zebco Cardinal 6 Spinning Fishing Reel Spool Case US $19.99
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 Dam Quick vintage spinning reel Model 270 with extra bail spring and manual US $51.00
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 2 Vintage Old Fresh Water Fishing Lures antique US $9.99
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 2 Bagleys Small Fry Crappie Lures VG 1 Yellow 1 White w 1 Package Florida US $16.34
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 Vintage L S Bass Master Model 25 Fishing Lures 3 Long Lot of 5 US $15.50
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 RARE SMITHWICKDEVEL HORSE ORIGINAL WOODEN BASS LURE 1946 47 MODEL US $49.99
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 LOT OF 31 VINTAGE COLLECTABLE SPINNING CASTING FISHING REELS COLLECTION US $149.95
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 Vintage L S Bass Master Model 15 Fishing Lures 3 Long Lot of 5 US $20.49
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 3 Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Huskie Devle Spoon New In Box Fishing Lure US $23.99
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 Vintage Collapsible Long Handled Fishing Net with Bag US $34.99
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 Vintage Penn Peer No109 bait casting fishing reel Green Bakelite handles US $30.00
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 Old Vintage BAY No 802 Spinning Fishing Reel Japan US $9.99
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 Vintage BRONSON 1700 Casting Fishing Reel US $7.99
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 Small Vintage SILSTAR Pinnacle Vision Limited Casting Fishing Reel VST 10 US $19.99
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 Vintage GARCIA KINGFISHER GK 26 Spinning Fishing Reel For Parts Or Use US $8.99
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 LOT OF 10 VINTAGE AUTO FISHING REELS BAIT CASTER FLY McGILL HIGGINS PERRINE MORE US $33.00
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 6 Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Huskie Spoon In Box Fishing Lure US $23.99
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 VINTAGE COLLECTION LOT FRED ARBOGAST LURES PLUGS FRESHWATER CRANKBAITS US $8.75
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 Vintage Galvanized Metal OLD PAL Floating Bait Pail w Cloth Shoulder Strap US $19.99
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 VINTAGE PFLUGER 2094 GEM FLY REEL US $33.52
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 1951 SOUTH BEND LEVEL WIND FISHING REEL PRINT AD US $9.95
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 2 Vintage Bass Buster Beetle Fishing Lures on Dealer Card 1 4 oz US $5.99
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 Vintage No Name Fishing Reel A53 US $9.99
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 Vintage Helins U20 Flatfish Fishing Lure Orange 3 1 4 Long D 22 US $4.99
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 3 Vintage Red Hot Lures for Bass on Dealer Card Silver Minnow US $5.99
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 Vintage Unmarked Jointed Fishing Lure 4 3 4 D 11 US $7.99
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 Vintage Bronson Lion LW No 1900 Fishing Reel USA D17 US $9.99
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 Vintage 6 Wood Creek Chub Pikie Fishing Lure US $9.99
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 1 Vintage Red Hot Fishing Lures For Bass on Dealer Card 3 8 oz US $5.99
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 2 Vintage Mille Lacs Free Spin Natural Fishing Lures New US $9.99
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 2 Vintage Thomas Doll Fly Fishing Lures on Dealer card US $5.99
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 DAIWA M13A LIGHT ACTION REEL w BOX US $5.99
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 VINTAGE FISHING JTBUEL WHITEHALL NY 6 COPPER SPINNER US $11.50
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 HOT SHOT CREEK CHUB CCBC Pikies Injured Minnow Vintage Fishing Lures Plugs US $9.95
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 UNUSED SHAKESPEARE SYNERGY 10 SPINNING REEL US $6.49
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 7 Vintage Used Little Cleo WIGL Topless Dancer fishing lures Spoons Rare colors US $15.55
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 UNIQUE HANDCRAFTED DRIFTWOOD VINTAGE LURE KNIFE NIC NAC DISPLAY TAXIDERMY MOUNT US $9.99
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 VINTAGE FISHING LURE JR MAKILURE US $9.99
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 VINTAGEPHILIPS CRIPPLED KILLER ANTIQUE FISHING LUREMINTY with origbox US $.99
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Vintage Penn Conventional Fishing Reel #77 Classic NEW Sale Price: $10.99  |
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A vintage Penn reel. This is an original Sea Hawk #77. This reel features Penn's Bakelite sideplates and plastic spool. Double handle (colors will vary). This is a true classic and all of these reels are brand new... |
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Daiwa Mini System Minispin Ultralight Spinning Reel and Rod Combo in Hard Carry Case List Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $44.95 |
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Here's the kind of pure ultralight excitement that makes a Bluegill feel like a Bluefin. Choose from easy casting spincast or spinning tackle in its own ready-to-travel, ultra-compact hard case. It's a perfect size for tucking in your luggage, backpacking or just keeping handy under the car seat... |
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Berkley Portable Line Spooling Station List Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $27.51 |
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BERKLEY Portable Line Spooling Station Easy to use, transport, and store Comes complete with built-in line stripper and cutter Accommodates spinning, baitcasting, and fly reels |
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Vintage Penn SEA HAWK Fishing Reel #77 New in Box !!! Sale Price: $25.99 |
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This is a vintage, Brand New in the Box, NEW OLD STOCK Penn SEA HAWK #77 Fishing reel. This reel features Penn's Bakelite sideplates and plastic spool. Double handle (colors, green or white will vary)... |
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Florene Vintage - Vintage Fishing Basket - Water Bottles Sale Price: $9.99 |
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Triple Tackle Hooks Style Vintage Fishing Fish Lure Bait Sale Price: $4.22 |
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Triple Tackle Hooks Style Vintage Fishing Fish Lure Bait.The Fish Lure Bait is made of plastic and shaped like a fish.Vintage Fishing Bait has small balls inside that makes noises when it moves to make the school fish interested in the activity event... |
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Scenes from the Past Vintage Stereoview - Trout Fishing Cyan tone - Water Bottles Sale Price: $9.99 |
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Scenes from the Past Vintage Stereoview - Trout Fishing Grayscale - Water Bottles Sale Price: $9.99 |