Excelsior grew from the dream of a tailor from New York into a lasting community shaped by adventuresome people from the past who had the vision to build it to thrive for years to come. Water Street, the town’s main street, was named because during the 1800s a small stream often ran alongside it from Galpin Lake, then much larger, into Lake Minnetonka. Today Water Street remains the point of origin for many activities, leading people to the shoreline and main docks where visitors arrive by personal watercraft and charter boats, continuing a tradition enjoyed for almost 160 years. Excelsior embraces a unique quality of life grounded in shared values among its schools, churches, businesses, and residents, and it is a place where people work, boat, dine, listen to music, shop, and stroll along the shoreline of Lake Minnetonka. Excelsior is defined by its people, both those who live and work there and those who visit.