Lakeville Area Historical Society

11/02/2026

Who said you couldn't have fun at school? In the early 20th century, schools often had fire escapes there were a metal tube that connected the second floor to the ground. It was not something kids were supposed to play on. The "Red Brick School" (demolished in 1986) had such a fire escape.

Back in the 1960's, Karen (Koentopf) Rose and her friends had their own idea of entertainment. As teenagers, they would climb into the school fire escape and slide down it - just for fun !!!

There were no cell phones or video games or social media to keep kids entertained. Sometimes, all it took a litte imagination and ...the confidence (bravery?) 😊😊of not getting caught.

History is more than just events, dates and places. Its also about people and what life was like. Let's bring those memories back to life. Share with us your crazy adventures as a kid.

10/29/2026

The LAHS had so much fun hosting local Girl Scouts last night! We loved talking about changes over time in our kitchen exhibit and showing them past telephones, employment opportunities, and typical clothing in the past. Participants worked toward earning the badge Playing in the Past as they learned about key women in Lakeville’s past like Christina Huddleston and Florence Schmitt. Plus, we had a lot of fun learning about women in the past they all researched. Thanks for visiting!

10/25/2026

ELECTION DAY 130 YEARS AGO: THREE HOURS TO VOTE !!!
Imagine going to the polls today and discovering you had just three hours to cast your ballot!

About 130 years ago, elections in our little village of Lakeville were a much different affair. The polls were open from 1:00 p.m. until 4 p.m. That was it! No early voting, no absentee ballots – just a three-hour window to make your voice heard.

And counting ballots must have been a relatively quick task. The village had just 76 eligible male voters who cast a ballot.

Why only 76 voters? Yes, Lakeville was a small village, but the other enormous difference was that women didn’t have the right to vote. Their struggle for voting rights continued for decades, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

10/22/2026

We invite you to become a member of the Lakeville Area Historical Society! Your support helps preserve and share our community’s rich history for future generations.

Members receive our quarterly newsletter, featuring fascinating stories, historical photographs, and updates on our activities and discoveries.

Your annual $25 membership dues also support important museum improvements, expected to be completed in early 2027. These enhancements will help us better preserve and showcase Lakeville’s heritage.

Your generosity also helps fund our weekly Facebook history posts and research into the people, places, and events that shaped our community.
Whether you are a longtime member or joining us for the first time, every membership makes a difference.

To become a member, go to https://www.mnlahs.org/memberships (click “Membership” box at the bottom of page) for a copy of the membership application form.

Thank you for helping keep Lakeville’s history alive and ensuring its stories are shared with future generations!

Join the Lakeville Area Historical Society to support local history, receive updates, and participate in community programs. Memberships make meaningful gifts for history enthusiasts.

10/19/2026

What does good moral character mean?

More than 110 years ago, the Lakeville Leader had something to say about it. In its January 5, 1916, edition, the Lakeville newspaper made a deliberate choice: it would not publish news simply because it was scandalous.

The editors recognized that a newspaper had influence—and with that influence came responsibility. Not every rumor, embarrassing incident, or scandal belonged in print simply because it might attract attention. Their decision reflected an important principle: being able to publish something doesn't necessarily mean you should publish it.

The Lakeville Leader believed that a community newspaper should contribute to the character of the community it served. That meant exercising judgment, protecting reputations, and recognizing that words printed in a newspaper could affect real people and families.

Think about that for a moment.

In 1916, news traveled at the speed of a newspaper press. Today, a rumor or accusation can travel around the world in seconds The technology has changed dramatically. The importance of character has not.

The old Lakeville Leader reminds us that integrity isn't just about what we say or do when everyone is watching. Sometimes, it's about what we choose not to say or do. A century later, that's a lesson worth remembering.

Lakeville's history isn't just about buildings, businesses and events. It's also about the values that shaped the people who called this community home.

10/14/2026

HE WAS ONLY 14… BUT HE DROVE HIS DAD’S PICKUP TO SCHOOL! 🚜
Imagine being 14 years old and driving your dad’s pickup truck to school—not because you were showing off, but because you had chores to do!

That’s exactly what Roy Kehrer did. Roy drove his dad’s pickup to school so he could get home sooner and take care of his farm chores. For young people today, that might sound unbelievable. But for many kids growing up in rural Lakeville and the surrounding communities, responsibility started at a very young age.

There were no smartphones, video games or packed activity schedules. There were chores, hard work, and a strong expectation that everyone in the family pitched in.
What did YOU do as a kid that might surprise people today?

Share your fascinating childhood stories in the comments! And if you have an old photograph to go with your story, PLEASE SHARE IT! 📸
Your memories are history! ❤️

10/12/2026

Lakeville, July 1931. America was still in the grip of Prohibition. Since 1920, the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages had been illegal under federal law. But banning alcohol didn't make people's desire for a drink disappear. Across the country, a hidden trade in “moonshine” and bootleg wh***ey flourished.

And apparently, Lakeville was not immune.

In July 1931, four bootleggers were arrested after allegedly selling moonshine wh***ey at the Sea Girt Inn, the popular resort on the north shore of Orchard Lake. According to the story, the wh***ey had quite a journey before reaching Lakeville. It was distilled in a house in Northeast Minneapolis, then transported south to Lakeville, where it found its way into the hands of customers looking for an illegal drink.

The arrests made headlines—but there was an important distinction. The owners of the Sea Girt Inn were not involved in the bootlegging operation and were not arrested because the alcohol sales took place in the parking lot. The activity was attributed to the four men who were caught selling the illegal wh***ey.

That distinction is important because the Sea Girt was much more than a place where someone might secretly buy a drink. Built in 1923 by LeRoy Scott, his mother and sister Ida Kirk, the Sea Girt became one of Orchard Lake's best-known gathering places. It was a resort, dance hall and social center that attracted large crowds. Take a look at this picture for what it might have looked like on a busy, jazzy night back then!

For Lakeville-area residents, the Sea Girt was a place to dance, socialize, celebrate and enjoy summer days along Orchard Lake. Its popularity would continue for decades, long after Prohibition ended.

Prohibition was supposed to eliminate alcohol from American life. Instead, it created an enormous underground industry. Even in a quiet community like Lakeville, the national struggle over Prohibition could be found right at the shores of Orchard Lake.

That's the fascinating thing about history: sometimes the biggest national stories show up in the smallest local places.

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

For 75 years, Lakeville Homecoming has been about more than football. It’s been about school spirit, friendships, traditions—and memories that last a lifetime.

🏫 THE 1950s
Homecoming was a special community event celebrated at Lakeville’s old red-brick schoolhouse, with one of the biggest traditions being a parade down Holyoke Avenue. Floats, decorated cars and marching students filled downtown while families and neighbors lined the streets. Families lined the sidewalks, neighbors visited with one another, and the entire community seemed to turn out to celebrate Lakeville's young people. Letter sweaters, pleated skirts, saddle shoes and penny loafers completed the scene.

🏫 THE 1970s
By the mid-1970s, Homecoming had moved to what is now McGuire Middle School. The parade tradition had faded, but pep rallies, class activities, decorations, royalty and football kept the spirit alive. And the fashions? Bell-bottoms, platform shoes and colorful fashions reflected a new era.

🏫 THE EARLY 2000s
By the early 2000s, Homecoming had moved to what is now Lakeville North High School. Football, royalty, dances, school colors and themed activities remained familiar, while jeans, sneakers, T-shirts and hoodies reflected changing styles. Especially our tradition of ‘Homecoming pants!’

Our community now has 2 homecomings every year since the opening of Lakeville South High School in 2005.

From students marching down Holyoke Avenue 75 years ago to today's students cheering in the stands and capturing memories on their phones, each generation has added its own chapter.

Different generations. Different buildings. Different fashions.

But the same Lakeville Homecoming spirit. We love seeing the fashion and style! Feel free to share pictures in the comments.