From Bloomers to Bikinis: A History of Shady Oak Lake

Upcoming: Shady Oak Lake History Talk

Join us for From Bloomers to Bikinis: A History of Shady Oak Lake presentation, a lively look at the changing history of one of the area’s most storied lakes. The presentation is co-sponsored by the Hopkins Historical Society and the City of Minnetonka Historical Society.

Long before it became a popular recreation destination, Shady Oak Lake was surrounded by farmland in the era of bloomers, when settlers cultivated crops on the surrounding hills—including the famed raspberries that helped earn the region its “Raspberry Capital of the World” reputation. In winter months, the lake also supported a lesser-known but important industry that provided work for hundreds in the community. Later came the era of the bikini, when Shady Oak’s beaches became a bustling summer destination, while traces of earlier industries remained beneath the surface.

The presentation will be held Thursday, June 18, from 1:00–2:00 P.M. at the Minnetonka Community Center. Admission is $2 per person, and registration is required. To register, call the Minnetonka Community Center at 952-939-8393.

The program will be presented by CMHS member Petey Ellis, and invites attendees to explore how Shady Oak Lake has evolved through agriculture, industry, and recreation—and how its layered history continues to shape community memory today.

If you have a story about Shady Oak Lake, we’d love to hear it—send your memories to: info@cityofminnetonkahistory.org.