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Excelsior, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°54′12″N 93°33′59″W / 44.90333°N 93.56639°W / 44.90333; -93.56639
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Excelsior
City
Water Street in Excelsior
Water Street in Excelsior
Location of Excelsior within Hennepin County and the U.S. state of Minnesota
Location of Excelsior within Hennepin County and the U.S. state of Minnesota
Excelsior is located in Minnesota
Excelsior
Excelsior
Excelsior is located in the United States
Excelsior
Excelsior
Coordinates: 44°54′12″N 93°33′59″W / 44.90333°N 93.56639°W / 44.90333; -93.56639
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyHennepin
Founded1853
Incorporated1878
Government
 • MayorTodd Carlson[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total
0.88 sq mi (2.27 km2)
 • Land0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2)
 • Water0.25 sq mi (0.64 km2)
Elevation
945 ft (288 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,355
 • Density3,738.10/sq mi (1,444.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
55331
Area code952
FIPS code27-20078
GNIS feature ID643477[3]
Websitewww.ci.excelsior.mn.us

Excelsior (/ɛkˈsɛlsiər/ ek-SEL-see-ər) is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. Excelsior's historic commercial district along Water Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town has many Victorian-era houses.[4] On Lake Minnetonka's southern shore, the community serves as a local tourism destination for shoppers, boaters, and restaurant-goers.

Considered a western suburb of the Twin Cities, Excelsior is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of downtown Minneapolis. Its population was 2,414 as of the 2020 census.[5] Excelsior's major roadway is Minnesota State Highway 7.

History

[edit]

The first Euro-Americans known to have visited Lake Minnetonka were two teenage boys, Joe Brown and Will Snelling, who canoed up Minnehaha Creek from Fort Saint Anthony in 1822.[6]

Minnesota's territorial governor Alexander Ramsey officially named Lake Minnetonka in 1852. He had been informed that the Dakota called the lake Mní iá Tháŋka ("the-water-they-speak-of-is-large").[7] The next year, a group of settlers from New York established Excelsior, the lake's first white settlement. The former Excelsior Township was named after the hamlet.

During the late 19th century, the Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka area was home to several popular summer lake resorts.

Streetcars were used in Excelsior as a part of the Twin City Rapid Transit Company system until 1932, when the line was cut back to Hopkins.[8]

20th century

[edit]

A large ballroom called "Danceland" (later "Big Reggie's Danceland") stood across the street from Excelsior Amusement Park from the mid-1920s to 1973. Operated by Ray Colihan, it hosted performances by Lawrence Welk, Fred Waring, and the Andrews Sisters in the 1930s. On May 3, 1963, the Beach Boys performed at Danceland. Beach Boys singer Mike Love remembered the performance as a significant moment for the band in a 2019 interview. According to Love, people "were breaking the windows to get into [Danceland] because it was sold out... I said to one of my bandmates: 'This must be like when Elvis was starting out.'"[9] On June 12, 1964, The Rolling Stones played Danceland for an audience of 283.[10] It has been speculated that Excelsior resident Jimmy Hutmaker inspired Mick Jagger to write the 1969 song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" after a chance encounter at a local drugstore earlier that day, but this claim has long been disputed.[11]

In 1974 President Gerald Ford purchased a golden retriever named Liberty from Excelsior resident Avis Friberg.[12]

21st century

[edit]

Over the years, Excelsior's downtown historic district has been home to many businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and merchants. Since 2010, restaurants and eateries have come to dominate the town's commercial landscape. Excelsior is known for maintaining its historical identity. Beyond the downtown district, it also retains much of its Victorian-era housing stock. Strict building codes are enforced in order to preserve this identity.[13]

The Excelsior Commons and Lake Minnetonka are central amenities to the community and major draws for tourists. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum, a local transportation museum, maintains a heritage streetcar line in Excelsior and operates three restored streetcars on the line: Twin City Lines No. 1239, Winona Power & Light Co. #10, and Duluth Street Railway No. 78.[14]

Geography

[edit]

Excelsior is in Hennepin County, Minnesota, on Lake Minnetonka's south shore. It is approximately 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Minneapolis and bordered by Shorewood and Greenwood. According to the United States Census Bureau, Excelsior has an area of 0.69 square miles (1.79 km2), of which 0.63 square miles (1.63 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water.[15] Minnesota State Highway 7 serves as a main route through the city, leading east-northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Highway 100 in Saint Louis Park and west 41 miles (66 km) to Hutchinson.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880417—
189061948.4%
190071715.8%
19101,01541.6%
1920790−22.2%
19301,07235.7%
19401,42232.6%
19501,76324.0%
19602,02014.6%
19702,56326.9%
19802,523−1.6%
19902,367−6.2%
20002,3931.1%
20102,188−8.6%
20202,41410.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010 census

[edit]
Restored TCRT streetcar No. 1239, Excelsior Streetcar Line
Restored Express Boat Minnehaha

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,188 people, 1,115 households, and 494 families living in the city.[17] The population density was 3,473.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,340.9/km2). There were 1,254 housing units at an average density of 1,990.5 per square mile (768.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.4% White, 2.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.

There were 1,115 households, of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 55.7% were non-families. 48.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 42 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 30.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,393 people, 1,199 households, and 547 families living in the city.[18] The population density was 3,822.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,476.0/km2). There were 1,254 housing units at an average density of 2,003.3 per square mile (773.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.07% White, 0.75% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.21% Asian, 1.55% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.13% of the population.

There were 1,199 households, out of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.3% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 19.5% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,598, and the median income for a family was $61,406. Males had a median income of $40,845 versus $28,717 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,127. About 3.6% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]
Presidential election results
Precinct General Election Results[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2024 37.6% 534' 60.4% 858 2.0% 20
2020 39.0% 615 58.7% 925 2.3% 37
2016 38.4% 522 52.7% 716 8.9% 120
2012 43.1% 564 54.5% 712 2.4% 32
2008 40.9% 553 56.4% 762 2.7% 37
2004 43.6% 580 55.1% 732 1.3% 17
2000 43.6% 562 47.7% 615 8.7% 113
1996 41.0% 485 48.0% 568 11.0% 131
1992 32.2% 462 40.5% 581 27.3% 392
1988 47.6% 600 52.4% 660 0.0% 0'
1984 53.8% 739 46.2% 635 0.0% 0
1980 42.4% 566 44.5% 580 12.1% 157
1976 49.0% 684 48.6% 678 2.4% 33
1972 55.6% 713 43.2% 554 1.2% 15
1968 51.3% 541 46.0% 485 2.7% 28
1964 49.8% 492 50.2% 496 0.0% 0
1960 61.3% 562 38.4% 416 0.3% 3

Parks and recreation

[edit]
Excelsior Commons and marina

The Commons and Port of Excelsior is a 13-acre (5.3 ha) municipal park developed in 1854.[20] Other notable recreation areas include Excelsior Parkland and the Lake Minnetonka shoreline.[21]

Since 1935, the Apple Days festival has been held in Excelsior annually to celebrate apple-picking season.[22]

Education

[edit]
Former Excelsior Public School

Excelsior is in Independent School District 276, also known as the Minnetonka School District. Newsweek ranked Minnetonka High School 123rd on its list of America's Top High Schools.[23] Niche rated the school the state's best public high school.[24]

The only school Minnetonka Public Schools operates in Excelsior is Excelsior Elementary School. The old Excelsior Public School and Excelsior High School buildings still stand, but are no longer used as schools.[citation needed]

Religion

[edit]
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, one of the churches in Excelsior

Excelsior is home to many churches and places of worship, of which the majority are denominations of Christianity. Its largest churches by membership and attendance are Westwood Community Church and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.

  • Christ Community Church[25]
  • Congregational Church of Excelsior (UCC)[26]
  • Excelsior Covenant Church (ECC)[27]
  • Excelsior United Methodist Church[28]
  • Faith Church[29]
  • Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA)[30]
  • New Life Sanctuary (UPCI)
  • Our Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS)[31]
  • St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish[32]
  • Trinity Episcopal Church[33]
  • Westview Seventh-Day Adventist Church[34]
  • Westwood Community Church[35]

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]

Excelsior is the setting of Monica Ferris's Needlecraft Mystery book series.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Excelsior, MN - Official Website - City Council
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Excelsior
  4. ^ Tribune, Katy Read Star. "Downtown Excelsior, the Steamboat Minnehaha named to the National Register of Historic Places". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "Census Reporter". Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  6. ^ www.ci.edina.mn.us https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121451/http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/PDFs/AboutTown/L4-91_AboutTown_2002Winter.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ Durand, Paul (1994). Where the waters gather and the rivers meet : (ó-ki-zu wa-kpá) (to meet, to unite) : an atlas of the eastern Sioux. Prior Lake, MN: P.C. Durand. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-9641469-0-7. OCLC 32050105.
  8. ^ "Steamboat Minnehaha History". www.steamboatminnehaha.org. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "How the Beach Boys caught a wave on Lake Minnetonka". Star Tribune.
  10. ^ Keller, Martin (2007). Music Legends: A Rewind on the Minnesota Music Scene. D Media. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-9787956-1-0.
  11. ^ Thiede, Dana (2007). "Excelsior loses tie to rock and roll history". KARE 11. Multimedia Holdings. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  12. ^ Honor's Foxfire Liberty Hume - Golden Retriever Weekly Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Excelsior grapples with preserving its historic identity amid new construction". Star Tribune.
  14. ^ "Rolling Stock". trolleyride.org. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results".
  20. ^ Kieffer, Paige (August 26, 2018). "Excelsior Approves Adopt-A-Tree, Adopt-A-Seat Programs". Sun Sailor.
  21. ^ "City of Excelsior 2009 Master Parks, Trails, and Walkways Plan". City of Excelsior. 2009.
  22. ^ "Apple Day". Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  23. ^ "America's Top High Schools 2016". Newsweek. August 11, 2016.
  24. ^ "2022 Best Public High Schools in Minnesota".
  25. ^ "Christ Community Church". Christ Community Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "Congregational Church of Excelsior". Congregational Church of Excelsior. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  27. ^ "Excelsior Covenant Church". Excelsior Covenant Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Excelsior United Methodist Church". Excelsior United Methodist Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "Faith Church Excelsior". Faith Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "Homepage". Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Our Savior Lutheran Church and School | Home". OSLCS. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  32. ^ "St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish | Excelsior, MN". St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Trinity Excelsior". www.trinityexcelsior.org. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "Home". westviewmn.adventistchurch.org. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  35. ^ "Home". Westwood Community Church. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (November 10, 2019). "Hüsker Dü and Replacements sound tech, Garage D'Or operator Terry Katzman dies". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  37. ^ Doggers, Peter (March 5, 2021). "Wesley So Officially Becomes U.S. Citizen". Chess.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  38. ^ "Monica Ferris". April 5, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Excelsior.
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