Picture the tranquil waters of Halstead’s Bay. Feel the gentle breeze. This serene bay nestled in Minnetrista and Mound Minnesota holds a captivating history. It’s named after Frank W Halsted a settler who arrived in 1855. He built a small log cabin called The Hermitage. This humble abode became the center of local legends. Some whispered he was a hermit. Others said he was heartbroken. Frank was a Civil War veteran. He used his modest earnings to expand his cabin. He even tried to build his own steamboat the Mary. Sadly financial troubles led to his tragic death in 1876. He drowned himself in the bay. The community honored him by naming this beautiful bay after him. Halstead’s Bay stands as a testament to his presence.
Frank’s brother Major George Blight Halsted inherited The Hermitage. George unlike his brother was a warm and welcoming man. He opened his doors to everyone. The Hermitage became a local attraction. Visitors came from far and wide. They left their marks carving their names on the walls. The most notable items inside were two chairs. One belonged to Jefferson Davis. The other to George Washington. But George had a nemesis. The Belle of Minnetonka a larger steamboat. Its wake nearly capsized George’s Mary. He never forgave the Belle. He even threatened its captain with a shotgun.
Tragedy struck again in 1901. The Hermitage burned to the ground. Major Halsted perished in the fire. He was buried beside his brother under an oak tree. Halstead’s Bay remained. It’s a reminder of two very different brothers. Both left their mark on this westernmost bay of Lake Minnetonka. Their stories echo in the gentle lapping of waves against its shores. Halstead’s Bay stands as a quiet testament to their lives. Even today the bay is a relatively undeveloped area. Saint Bonifacius its upstream neighbor only had adequate sewage treatment in the 1980s. The steep terrain leading to the bay is a unique feature. Halstead’s Bay continues to offer stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a place where history whispers in the wind. A place to reflect on the lives lived and the legacies left behind. Halstead’s Bay is more than just a bay. It is a story. It is a legacy. It is a hidden gem.