"The Reindeer" (also known as the "Hawkeye") circa 1886. The boat was first known as the "Hawkeye" and was a private launch owned by a group of tourists from Iowa. This group colonized a small tract of land in the Village of Excelsior on Gideon's Bay which they christened Iowa City Park. Their leader, Col. John W. Porter bought her and launched it in Lake Minnetonka in 1880. Captain John Davis was hired to operate her as a character boat when not in use by the Iowa City Park residents. The group was disbanded in 1883 due to Col. Porter's death. The boat was sold in 1883 to William H. Jacoby and W. E. Aldrich and was rechristened the "Reindeer" and was placed under the command of Captain Dr. George F. LaPaul. In 1884 Jacoby was listed as the sole owner and his son Charlie became the new commander. Jacoby sold the boat in 1892 th James L. Hopkins. In less than two weeks Hopkins bought the "Alert" from Henry W. Gibson and Gibson got the "Reindeer" as part of the deal. The last mention of Gibson operating the boat was in 1893. By 1897 she was renamed the "Archie" and was last mentioned in 1909 when Lew McCormick bought the "Ypsilanti" installing the boiler and engine from his old boat the "Archie". ADOOB by Scott McGinnis. There are two pictures on the back of this one.

c1886

"The Reindeer"

Print, Photographic

16.6x10.9 cm

Lake Minnetonka

3948.00

Excelsior—Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Photograph Collection

2687.00

SP—BB11c

31825068

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Excelsior—Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Copyright 2011, —— This image may not be reproduced for any reason without the express written consent of the Excelsior—Lake Minnetonka Historical Society send comments, questions to Info@elmhs.org

English