Friday, September 7, 2012

On This Date in Minnesota History: September 7

September 7, 1926 - Detroit Lakes was originally named Detroit, which “came about when a French Catholic Priest camped on the shore of the lake with a view of the sun setting across the water. The water was low and revealed a sandbar, creating a narrow strait that glistened in the light of the setting sun. The Priest exclaimed, ‘What a beautiful strait.’ The word strait in French is detroit. Consequently, the city was named Detroit.”

“As a result of continuous postal mix-ups between Detroit, Minnesota and the better-known Detroit, Michigan, a special election was held on [this date] to change the city's name to Detroit Lakes. This befitting title has remained ever since.”

http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/relocation/history


 An old postcard showing Washington Ave. in Detroit, Minn.

http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Detroi68.jpg

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