On this date in Minnesota History: June 18

June 18, 1922 – Mrs. Josephine Koon, widow of Judge Martin Koon, and Miss Lucy Gilbert, for 25 years head of the art department of the Minneapolis public library, lost their lives when the Lafayette Club at Lake Minnetonka burned to the ground today.

Photo of Lafayette Club that burned in 1922¹

The country club was one of the most-fashionable, and the damage is estimated at approximately $150,000. Loss to guests, including diamonds, was estimated at between $35,000 and $50,000. The loss is fully covered by insurance. Between 40 and 50 guests escaped in their night apparel.

The Lafayette Club replaced the Lafayette Hotel that burned down in 1897. It began operation in 1906, when the streetcar boats began operating on Lake Minnetonka. One of their regular stops was the Lafayette landing in Minnetonka Beach. Here they met Great Northern passenger trains coming from both the east and west along the line.

²The current clubhouse replaced the 1922 burned club in 1924.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Lafayette Club Burns; Two Women Lose Lives”; June 19, 1922; p. 1

¹http://www.steamboatminnehaha.org/blog/index.php/category/newsletter/history/

²http://www.gregandkellybollinger.com/images/lafayette.jpg

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