RIDING STABLES

In the days before -- just about anything in the area of entertainment and recreation, horseback riding was very popular.  The following are snippits of information that indicate that there were many riding stables in the Village.  If you have any additions or corrections, please contact us.

The oldest house still standing in the City was built at 8550 Minnetonka Blvd. in 1874. One of its major past lives was as the Belmont Tavern and Riding Stables – purportedly a speakeasy during prohibition.

The Allen and Kidd Riding School was started by Herbert B. Allen of Middlebrook, VA in about 1925.  In 1926 it is listed as W. Lake St. and Salem in 1926, and Lake and Xenwood in 1928. In 1929, stables measuring 130 ft. by 235 ft. and costing $40,000 were built by Allen to accommodate 50 horses. 

The 1926 map shows a "race track" where Highway 100 would later go; this was probably the "Best Place," owned by a Mrs. Best and leased to Allen. It was located between Minnetonka Blvd. and 31st Street, and between Toledo (east of the would-be Highway) and Utica (west). Anna G. Reeves owned 5 acres in this general area, which included houses (all with chicken coops), flower and rock gardens, and a tennis court.

In May 1930, Allen opened the Pastime Arena [Indoor Riding Academy] at 5622 West Lake Street (between Webster and Xenwood).

In September 1947, Alfred Hay requested a permit to put an addition on his barn for 4-6 more horses. The property was located at the SW corner of Texas and Minnetonka. (He also complained of excessive gunfire at that intersection.)  Hay also ran a taxicab service - presumably with cars.

1947-1949 there was a V & E Riding Stables listed at 2550 Vernon Ave. (not a valid address today). It was run by Ed and Victor P. Soboleski.

In July 1946, M.P. Johnson owned riding stables on Wayzata Blvd. near Texas – formerly Ward’s Stables.

Also in 1946, Anne C. M. Laury operated a riding stable.

John D. Nelson, representing the Calhoun Beach Club, made a request to establish a riding school on the "Best" property at Toledo and Minnetonka Blvd., and to operate a restaurant.

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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.