 Local Personality
Kim Mackenthun
Why should people care about history?
It's important to know where we have been in order to really plan where we are going. If you think about it, it is not that long ago when the American Indians and early settlers were the only people here. Their tools were rustic and their means of transportation was slow. Today we can land people on the moon or explore Mars. Can you imagine what people will be doing 200 years from now, when 2005 will be considered the distant past?
What people or events helped spark your interest in history?
No doubt about it, it was my dad, Marvin. His collection of old Waconia postcards really fascinated me. The postcards date from 1890-1910 and feature Lake Waconia (also known as Clearwater Lake) and Coney Island. Many of these postcards can be seen in the Waconia history book. Starting when he was a young man, Dad took pictures of every change in Waconia's schools, churches, and businesses. Today, my wife Laurie and I continue to search for old postcards and photograph changes in our community.
What are compelling stories from our communities, in this case Waconia?
Lake Waconia has so many stories-I wish it could talk! Can you imagine what it was like when Indian camps surrounded its shores and the Island? Later the Island became a grand resort spot with dance halls, fancy restaurants, and cabins. Today, it is the metro area's premier lake for fishing, wind surfing, and relaxing. Lake Waconia has fascinated people for centuries and will continue to for centuries to come.
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