JOHNSON-WOLFE LAKE

Johnson Lake, owned by Mr. Glen Johnson, was located between Excelsior Blvd. and 38th Street. The lake was 80-90 ft. deep and full of minnows and stolen cars (well, for sure minnows). All manner of activities took place here, not the least of which was illegal swimming. It was the place to be if you wanted to hang out, drink beer, and smoke cigarettes. In 1959, a burned out building stood on the property in defiance of the Council’s edict that it be destroyed. By that time the property had already been condemned by the City to be taken for a recreation area.
 

The Mayor wanted to make it into a lake for swimming and work had been done in 1964 to shape the lakebed and create a sandy beach. But tests by the State health department showed unhealthy levels of bacteria and the City was advised to develop a pool instead. The kibosh on Wolfe Lake (renamed for Mayor Ken Wolfe in 1965) for swimming put the plans for the Recreation Center into high gear.

Home    St. Louis Park History    History Index    About the Society    Research Resources
Brookside Timeline    Something In The Water    The Re-Echo    Contact Us

This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.