Lake Places is a new, community-driven exhibit from the Legacy of the Lakes Museum and Douglas County Historical Society that opened at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum in Spring 2023.

Photos, interviews, and stories are how we ensure the history and memory of everyday people is preserved. Photos and stories are what connect people to the past. For this exhibit, we looked for input from the community and they delivered!

Below are the photos that were not able to fit in the gallery, but tell the story of that Minnesota tradition of “going to the lake.”

Photos

Madson Family, Lake Darling

Spending summers on Lake Darling was always filled with fun activities for family and friends. There was never a dull moment from sun up to sun down. During the summer it seemed we spent more time in the lake than on land. Boating, skiing, tubing, swimming, and touring the lakes brought us joy and laughter. The bright sun, calm waters, and cool breezes made our time on the lake magical.

While boating, older family members were content to relax and view the lovely homes and scenery, while the younger generation performed cannon balls, challenged themselves with a wild tube ride, or perfected their turns on a slalom ski. Jumping off the pontoon deck or boat dock while performing various acrobatic moves was always sure to bring a smile to those of us who were spectators.  Growing up and spending summers on Lake Darling was a wonderful gift. The Madson family was truly blessed to have had such an opportunity.  

Living year round on the lake is now a reality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Engelen, Lake Carlos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Bungum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taryn Nelson Flolid, Lake Darling

“My grandparents Enoch and Rose (O’Brien) Nelson lived in Alexandria. It was common, and not too expensive, for families who lived and worked in Alexandria to buy a lake lot and put up a cottage for summer use. Enoch was in Real Estate and a Justice of the Peace. Rose worked at Anderson’s Furniture Store…It was common in the early 1900’s for local cottages to be painted white, with dark green or dark red trim. Many had screen or sleeping porches.”