Lake Como (Minnesota)

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Lake Como is a lake in St. Paul, Minnesota. It, along with the neighboring Como Park, has been a recreation area for residents of the Twin Cities for more than a century. It was named in 1848 by local farmer Charles Perry. A pavilion sits on the west side of the lake, and plays hosts to theatrical performances and concerts during the warmer months. The park features a variety of attractions, including the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, and is heavily used whenever good weather beckons people to go outside.

[edit] History

After James-Younger gang member Charlie Pitts was killed in the chaotic aftermath of the disastrous September 7, 1876 Northfield, Minnesota raid, his body was boxed up and temporarily submerged in the lake by Dr. Henry Hoyt, a local physician who wanted the bleached skeleton as a display piece for his office. The exact whereabouts of the skeleton are now unknown, although a museum in Savage, Minnesota claims to have it on display.

Local lore has it that Pitts' ghost haunts the corner of the lake where his body was interred, this corner is commonly referred to as Seltz' Point.

Michael Monson owns the record for the largest walleye caught in Como. It weighed 10.2 lbs. It was caught January 2, 2004.