Lake Harriet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lake Harriet, also known as Harriet Lake, is a lake in the southwest part of Minneapolis, just south of Lake Calhoun and north of Minnehaha Creek. The lake is surrounded by parkland as part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. The lake has an area of 335 acres.
Lake Harriet is very popular for recreation. It offers sailing, two beaches, and a system of bike and pedestrian trails (about 3 miles for the bike trail and 2.75 miles for the pedestrian trail). The trail and parkway system, part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, connects with Lake Calhoun on the north end via William Berry Parkway and with the Minnehaha Creek trail system on the southeast corner. The north end of the lake also offers a bandshell, which is used in the summer months for concerts, and a refreshment stand. A preserved section of the Como-Harriet streetcar line runs between Lake Calhoun and the west side of Lake Harriet.
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[edit] History
Lake Harriet is named for Harriet Lovejoy, who lived with her husband Colonel Leavenworth at Fort Snelling. The two came to the area in 1819. The lake and surrounding land was last owned by Colonel William S. King who donated the land to Minneapolis in 1885.
[edit] The Bandshell
Every summer, Lake Harriet is host to many concerts in its castle-shaped Bandshell. Music has been a part of the lake since the first pavilion was built on the property of Thomas Lowry in 1888. The bandshell stood on the edge of Lake Harriet until 1891 when it was destroyed by fire. After the fire, Minneapolis hired Architect Harry Jones to design the next bandshell. The ‘Pagoda Pavilion’ overlooked the lake until 1903 when it was destroyed by fire. Another Bandshell, again designed by Harry Jones was built in 1904 but was destroyed on July 8, 1925 in a windstorm. A new bandshell was erected in 1927 and remained until 1985 when the modern bandshell was built. (Lake Harriet Bandshell History)
The picture above at left shows the current bandshell in blue, but in 2004 local businessman Mark McGowan helped fund a restoration of the building. Through his efforts, the bandshell, refectory and sailing club have been repaired and repainted to a light brown color, shown above right. The renovation was presented to the public on September 19, 2004 by an event entitled "Lake Harriet Live."
During the fall of 2006, construction of a new patio and picnic shelter built to match the design of the original buildings was begun next to the concessions. Construction of the new building is expected to be completed in May 2007.
[edit] Other features
Other parkland near the lake includes a picnic ground just north of the bandshell, Lyndale Park, and a bird sanctuary on the northeast corner of the lake. Lakewood Cemetery is located between the southeast corner of Lake Calhoun and the north shoreline of Lake Harriet.
