A Bit About Us
Forming the Association
In 1978, the Lake Marion Association was formed in response to a major sewage problem impacting the lake. Along with the intention of promoting general lake cleanliness, our founding members wished to “make a contribution to the overall quality of the lake and lakeside life”. These members included:
Gerald Anderson
Mal Bangs
Dick Brandes
Bob Burns
Jerry Erickson
Lenny Gephart
Ray Hames
Larry Jueneman
Ben Ryks
Louis Shedlov
Kent Stever
Don Wendt
Thanks to the foresight of these pioneers, several of whom remain association members today, Lake Marion is, and will remain, the beautiful place we know and love.
Prairie Lake becomes Lake Marion
Prior to 1946, Lake Marion was known as Prairie Lake. The lake’s current moniker was given in reference to a wealthy businessman who owned much of Prairie Lake’s shoreline, Marion Savage. The nearby city of Savage also bears his name! In addition to large amounts of property, Marion Savage was renown for owning Dan Patch, a champion racehorse dominating the tracks in the early 1900s.
Savage opened Antlers Park on the fourth of July, 1910, following the completion of the Dan Patch Line. The Dan Patch line was a railroad running from Minneapolis, through Lakeville, and South to Northfield. One could take the forty-minute train ride from Minneapolis to Lakeville for forty-five cents! Attracting tourists from throughout the Midwest, Antlers Park contained amusement rides, a large pavilion, a hotel and a nine-hole golf course.
Today, Antlers Park is owned by the City of Lakeville and still attracts large crowds to its picnic shelters, playground, volleyball courts and sandy beach in the summertime. Paddle board rentals are available seasonally through Minnesota Mermaid. If you wish to reserve a park shelter, you may contact the City of Lakeville, here.
As the city of Lakeville has grown, so has our lake! Below are photos taken at various points in history illustrating how the boundaries of our lake have changed over the years. For more information on Lake Marion, as well as the history surrounding the City of Lakeville, contact our Heritage Center!
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