Historical values are an important part of the community in Greenwood, Minnesota. Most of the city’s history derived the city of Excelsior when from Colonists came out of New York in 1853 in order to be the first to settle the town. Excelsior is a small area, but has been a focal point of the lower portion of the Lake Minnetonka location for years. It was the first official community to be established near Lake Minnetonka. Most of the settlers in the area were from the colonies, and the city still has architecture that was influenced by the eastern part of the country.

Lake Minnetonka is a large part of Greenwood’s history. Save for the Native Americans, the lake was a secret to all. The wooded areas and shores surrounding the lake provided plenty of food for the Natives to live off of. Therefore, Lake Minnetonka was critical for their survival and kept hidden from the settlers. However, settlers eventually discovered the lake in 1822. By 1851, the treaty of Mendota between the Natives and the U.S. Government provided the settlers access to a wide stretch of land, including Lake Minnetonka. Development around the lake thrived in the 1880’s and 90’s. Steamboats created access to the lake as they offered locals cruises across the water. Big Island, a park near the lake that was built in 1902, offered entertainment that people traveled miles for in order to experience. Lake Minnetonka is the 10th largest lake and the most heavily accessed body of water in the state of Minnesota. Greenwood became an official city in 1956.

If you have any questions regarding the city of Greenwood, Minnesota, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.