Share what you know,
and discover more.
Share what you know,
and discover more.
Aug 01, 1978
Photo captured in 1978 from a property field card!
Photo obtained from the property field card in 1978 from city of Minnetonka Assessors office
Aug 01, 1978
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Oct 01, 1971
Oct 01, 1971
The House Today
The home at 3803 Tonkawood Rd. was bought for $35,000 in 1971. So far as can be determined, the buyer from that time lives there to this day.
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Jan 01, 1971
-
- Catherine Taylor
Moving to the Farm
In 1971 the Shimotas moved from the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka to an old farmstead near Hugo, Minnesota. Rita Shimota took to the country living and planted a garden and raised chickens, and learned the craft of quilt making. In 1976 she won second place at the Minnesota State Fair.
Moving to the Farm
In 1971 the Shimotas moved from the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka to an old farmstead near Hugo, Minnesota. Rita Shimota took to the country living and planted a garden and raised chickens, and learned the craft of quilt making. In 1976 she won second place at the Minnesota State Fair.
Jan 01, 1971
Moving to the Farm
In 1971 the Shimotas moved from the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka to an old farmstead near Hugo, Minnesota.Rita Shimota took to the country living and planted a garden and raised chickens, and learned the craft of quilt making. In 1976 she won second place at the Minnesota State Fair.
Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1971
Source Name
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
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Nov 07, 1968
Nov 07, 1968
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- Catherine Taylor
Under the Giant Christmas Tree Display
In 1968 Dayton's department store refreshed their Christmas display after two years of using the successful Dickens' Village theme. In its place, Leonard Shimota designed a display which recalled a child's delight at Christmastime of lying underneath a Christmas tree and looking up at the colored lights. Oversized props added to the feeling of being a small child, with animated elements and black light effects designed to dazzle.
Under the Giant Christmas Tree Display
In 1968 Dayton's department store refreshed their Christmas display after two years of using the successful Dickens' Village theme. In its place, Leonard Shimota designed a display which recalled a child's delight at Christmastime of lying underneath a Christmas tree and looking up at the colored lights. Oversized props added to the feeling of being a small child, with animated elements and black light effects designed to dazzle.
Under the Giant Christmas Tree Display
In 1968 Dayton's department store refreshed their Christmas display after two years of using the successful Dickens' Village theme. In its place, Leonard Shimota designed a display which recalled a child's delight at Christmastime of lying underneath a Christmas tree and looking up at the colored lights. Oversized props added to the feeling of being a small child, with animated elements and black light effects designed to dazzle.Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Nov 07, 1968
Source Name
The Minneapolis Star
Document Source
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Nov 11, 1966
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- Catherine Taylor
The Dickens Village Christmas Display
In 1966 a Minneapolis Star columnist praised Leonard Shimota’s Dickens Village display for Dayton’s department store as the most stunning Christmas installation he’d seen that year. For the first time, Dayton’s showcased its holiday display not in the traditional sidewalk windows, but in an upstairs auditorium. The columnist assured readers the detour was well worth it. Shimota spent six months designing the exteriors of the buildings, using information from Dickens' works and images from the time.
The Dickens Village Christmas Display
In 1966 a Minneapolis Star columnist praised Leonard Shimota’s Dickens Village display for Dayton’s department store as the most stunning Christmas installation he’d seen that year. For the first time, Dayton’s showcased its holiday display not in the traditional sidewalk windows, but in an upstairs auditorium. The columnist assured readers the detour was well worth it. Shimota spent six months designing the exteriors of the buildings, using information from Dickens' works and images from the time.
Nov 11, 1966
The Dickens Village Christmas Display
In 1966 a Minneapolis Star columnist praised Leonard Shimota’s Dickens Village display for Dayton’s department store as the most stunning Christmas installation he’d seen that year. For the first time, Dayton’s showcased its holiday display not in the traditional sidewalk windows, but in an upstairs auditorium. The columnist assured readers the detour was well worth it.Shimota spent six months designing the exteriors of the buildings, using information from Dickens' works and images from the time.
Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Nov 11, 1966
Source Name
The Minneapolis Star
Document Source
Source Website
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Oct 27, 1965
Oct 27, 1965
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- Catherine Taylor
The Talented Shimota Children
The coloring talents of Lindsay and Jennifer Shimota were noted in the pages of the Minneapolis Star. Lindsay took home two contest wins, while Jennifer earned a runner-up spot in another. Clearly, they inherited their creative streak from their artistic father.
The Talented Shimota Children
The coloring talents of Lindsay and Jennifer Shimota were noted in the pages of the Minneapolis Star. Lindsay took home two contest wins, while Jennifer earned a runner-up spot in another. Clearly, they inherited their creative streak from their artistic father.
The Talented Shimota Children
The coloring talents of Lindsay and Jennifer Shimota were noted in the pages of the Minneapolis Star. Lindsay took home two contest wins, while Jennifer earned a runner-up spot in another. Clearly, they inherited their creative streak from their artistic father.Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Oct 27, 1965
Source Name
The Minneapolis Star
Document Source
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Apr 14, 1961
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- Catherine Taylor
"Without a Library, I'd Be Lost"
After outgrowing its original 1889 building, the Minneapolis Public Library opened a new facility in 1961. The expanded space increased capacity from 7,500 to 21,000 books and sparked a 50 percent jump in library activity. That April, local resident Leonard Shimota shared his thoughts on the upgrade in an interview. Shimota described the library as essential to his work designing department store displays. He drew inspiration not just from the art department, but from a wide range of history books as well. His wife, he added, especially appreciated the expanded fiction collection.
"Without a Library, I'd Be Lost"
After outgrowing its original 1889 building, the Minneapolis Public Library opened a new facility in 1961. The expanded space increased capacity from 7,500 to 21,000 books and sparked a 50 percent jump in library activity. That April, local resident Leonard Shimota shared his thoughts on the upgrade in an interview. Shimota described the library as essential to his work designing department store displays. He drew inspiration not just from the art department, but from a wide range of history books as well. His wife, he added, especially appreciated the expanded fiction collection.
Apr 14, 1961
"Without a Library, I'd Be Lost"
After outgrowing its original 1889 building, the Minneapolis Public Library opened a new facility in 1961. The expanded space increased capacity from 7,500 to 21,000 books and sparked a 50 percent jump in library activity. That April, local resident Leonard Shimota shared his thoughts on the upgrade in an interview.Shimota described the library as essential to his work designing department store displays. He drew inspiration not just from the art department, but from a wide range of history books as well. His wife, he added, especially appreciated the expanded fiction collection.
Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Apr 14, 1961
Source Name
The Minneapolis Star
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Dec 25, 1958
Dec 25, 1958
Last Minute Shopper
In 1958 a Star Tribune photographer captured Leonard Shimota completing his Christmas shopping. The clown doll peeking out of one of the bags would lead one to believe that at least some of the gifts were for his children!
Last Minute Shopper
In 1958 a Star Tribune photographer captured Leonard Shimota completing his Christmas shopping. The clown doll peeking out of one of the bags would lead one to believe that at least some of the gifts were for his children!Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Dec 25, 1958
Source Name
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Document Source
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Sep 05, 1955
A Baby Girl is Born
In 1955 the Shimotas welcomed their first child, Lindsey. The couple would go on to have three more children who would live in the home on Tonkawood Rd., Jennifer, Jon, and Patrick.
Sep 05, 1955
A Baby Girl is Born
In 1955 the Shimotas welcomed their first child, Lindsey. The couple would go on to have three more children who would live in the home on Tonkawood Rd., Jennifer, Jon, and Patrick.Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Sep 05, 1955
Source Name
The Minneapolis Star
Document Source
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Oct 02, 1954
Oct 02, 1954
Mr. and Mrs. Shimota
In 1954 Leonard Shimota married Rita Rosendahl in Minnesota. They would make their first home 3803 Minnetonka Rd. in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Leonard Shimota would become the design display manager at Dayton's department store in Minneapolis.
Mr. and Mrs. Shimota
In 1954 Leonard Shimota married Rita Rosendahl in Minnesota. They would make their first home 3803 Minnetonka Rd. in Minnetonka, Minnesota.Leonard Shimota would become the design display manager at Dayton's department store in Minneapolis.
Posted Date
Aug 01, 2025
Historical Record Date
Oct 02, 1954
Source Name
Findagrave.com
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Jan 01, 1946
Jan 01, 1946
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