Vintage Ceiling
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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Ceiling Fan Vintage Pewter $176.23 *Image: PRODUCT_IMAGE [0770297] UPC: 045734968394 27.09L x 13.7W x 11.5H 20.2 LB 2.47 Cubes |
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Vintage Craft Ceiling Fan by Minka Aire $489.95 The Minka Aire Vintage Craft Ceiling Fan provides refreshing air circulation and creates an inviting layer of illumination. The Vintage Craft Ceiling Fan features White Frosted Opal glass shades, Dark Walnut blades and Sand Black finish. Receive a FREE Retro Table Top Fan in Brushed Nickel finish with any Minka Aire purchase of $300 or more. Limit one per customer. Use Promo Code RETRO during checkout. The Minka Aire Vintage Craft Ceiling Fan is available with the following: Included Features: One upper White Frosted Opal glass shade and one lower White Frosted Opal glass shade. Five Dark Walnut blades. Sand Black finish. Full function wall mount control system. One ceiling canopy. One 3.5 in. and one 12 in. downrod. 54 in. diameter. 14 degree blade pitch. Limited lifetime motor warranty. Lighting: Uplight: Six 15 Watt 120 Volt Candelabra Base Incandescent lamps (included). Downlight: Three 40 Watt 120 Volt Candelabra Base Incandescent lamps (not included). Shipping: This item usually ships within 3 to 4 days. Dimensions: Blade Pitch: 14 Degree Blade: Diameter 54 In. Downrod: Length 3.5 In., Length 12 In. |
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Vintage $25.28 Vintage |
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Westinghouse Lighting 78042 52 Vintage Ceiling Fan in Antique Brass $83.08 Antique brass finish with reversible oak/walnut blades – 52 AB CEILING FAN: Vintage is a 5 blade 52 ceiling fan. Includes light fixture with frosted ribbed glass shades. Uses (3) 60W maximum candelabra base fan lamps. Light cover cap not included. 3/4 downrod. Limited 25 year warranty. |
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Westinghouse Lighting 78627 52 Vintage Ceiling Fan in White Finish $79.73 White finish with white/white washed pine reversible blades – 52 WHITE CEILING FAN: Vintage is a 5 blade 52 ceiling fan. Includes light fixture with frosted ribbed glass shades. Uses (3) 60W maximum candelabra base fan lamps. Light cover cap not included. 3/4 downrod. Limited 25 year warranty. |
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Minka Aire F615-VRT Harrison Ceiling Fan, Vintage Rust $399.95 Minka Aire F615-VRT Harrison Ceiling Fan, Vintage Rust Minka Aire F615-VRT Harrison Ceiling Fan, Vintage Rust Features: • 14-Degree Blade Pitch • Five 52-In. Blades • Galvanized Steel 3 1/2-In. and 6-In. Downrods • Full Function Wall Mount Control System • Integrated Fluorescent Light Uses 2-13W • Spiral Fluorescent Bulbs (Bulbs Not Included) • Indoor/Outdoor Use UL Listed for Wet LocationsFree gift with purchase! Get a FREEÃÂ Minka Aire Retro Table Top F300 Turbofan,ÃÂ valued at $100.00,ÃÂ with every Minka Aire Ceiling Fan priced at $399.95 or more. |
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Vintage Garden Small Hurricane $67.99 “The Vintage Garden Small Hurricane by Waterford by Waterford Crystal is a perfect addition to any dining or entertaining occasion. The Waterford Crystal Vintage Garden Small Hurricane by Waterford is part of the Waterford Vintage Garden collection. Waterford Crystal lamps by Waterford Crystal are available in a variety of Waterford Lamp styles to light up your home d?cor with Waterford lamps by Waterford Crystal. Choose from floor lamps, table lamps, desk lamps, crystal lamps, glass lamps, hurricane lamps, display lamps, light fixtures, ceiling fixtures, sconces, brass lamps, mounts, wall sconces, wall lamps, wall fixtures, lighting fixtures, killarney lamps, lismore lamps, and many other varieties of Waterford lamp by Waterford Crystal Lamps.” |
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78434 – Westinghouse – 78434 > Ceiling Fans $90.9 Vintage 52in.Old Chicago 5 Blades with light kit |
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Ceiling Fixture With Marbled Glass $39.99 This traditional style ceiling flushmount will transform any room in your house in just minutes! The smooth holder and the sturdy frosted glass shade give this light a “vintage” look. It’s ideal for your foyer, hall or bedroom. You can also use a dimmer to alter the light level to suit your mood. |
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52 Ceiling Fan with Light $83.08 Polished brass finish with reversible oak/walnut blades – 52 PB CEILING FAN: Vintage is a 5 blade 52 ceiling fan. Includes light fixture with frosted ribbed glass shades. Uses (3) 60W maximum candelabra base fan lamps. Light cover cap not included. 3/4 downrod. Limited 25 year warranty. |
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78433 – Westinghouse – 78433 > Ceiling Fans $89.1 Vintage 52in. Brushed Pewter 5 Blades with light kit |
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Caswyck Ceiling Fan – 54 Inch $239 The 54 In. Caswyck ceiling fan in vintage cherrywood finish uses an integrated up and downlight with venetian scavo glass. Perfect for large rooms with vaulted or sloped ceilings. Includes 5 reversible blades in cherry and pitted cherry finish. Includes 190W limiter for energy savings. Also includes safety cable. Lifetime motor warranty. |
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8474-57 – LiveX – 8474-57 > Ceiling Lights $439.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage Carved ScavoBulb: 2 60w Med1 Year Warranty |
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6167-58 – LiveX Lighting – 6167-58> Ceiling LightManchester Collection $259.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage ScavoBulb: 1 100w Med1 Year Warranty |
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6186-58 – LiveX Lighting – 6186-58> Ceiling LightCoronado Collection $59.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage ScavoBulb: 1 60w Med1 Year Warranty |
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8601-30 – LiveX Lighting – 8601-30> Ceiling LightSovereign Collection $119.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage ScavoBulb: 4 100w Med1 Year Warranty |
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6117-58 – LiveX Lighting – 6117-58> Ceiling LightCoronado Collection $299.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage ScavoBulb: 1 150w Med1 Year Warranty |
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8421-57 – LiveX Lighting – 8421-57> Ceiling LightSavannah Collection $169.9 Glass Shade Type: Vintage Carved Scavo1×60W Med Base1 Year Warranty |
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Westinghouse Vintage Ceiling Fan … |
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Enclume MPR-02 RACK IT UP Rectangle Ceiling Pot Rack (Expandable) $55.00 Powder coat finish can be painted to complement any decor… |
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54 x 24 Chrome Rectangular Shower Rod includes Ceiling and Wall Supports and Wall Mounts $169.99 54″ x 24″ Polished Chrome Rectangular Shower Curtain Rod. Perfect for use with your free standing tub, clawfoot tub, or as a shower enclosure. Includes ceiling support, wall support, and 2 wall mounts so it’s ready to install. Matching bath accessories and faucets available in our YouRemodel storefront. Please contact us if you have any questions…. |
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Pair of Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan Light Pulls $2.99 Pair 2 vintage pull clear ball ceiling fan pull 7 inch of chain… |
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Westinghouse 7821720 Vintage II One-Light 52-Inch Five-Blade Ceiling Fan, White with Frosted White Alabaster Globe $127.36 Add an elegant touch to any room with the Westinghouse Lighting Vintage II Ceiling Fan. The white finish and frosted white alabaster glass brighten up a room, while the white and white washed pine reversible blades make it easy to change your room’s decor to suit your mood. And to help you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, it also features a reversible switch.Vintage II Ceiling FanAt… |
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Worden Five Light Short Ceiling Fixture with 4 Pin 13W 2700K Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Formal Edwardian style combines with modern compact fluorescent technology in this dashing brass ceiling light. Custom designed for Fort Worden in Washington State around 1900, this handsome fixture is equally at home in your living room or entry…. |
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Worden Five Light Tall Ceiling Fixture with 4 Pin 13W 2700K Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Formal Edwardian style combines with modern compact fluorescent technology in this dashing brass ceiling light. Custom designed for Fort Worden in Washington State around 1900, this handsome fixture is equally at home in your living room or entry… |
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