Manuscripts Collection
Catalogs from Minnesota and U.S. boat manufacturers and companies documenting the boating industry. The catalogs reflect advertising trends and the transition in boating from a tourist activity to a leisurely activity.
Included in the collection are sales catalogs on boats, motors, outboards, trailers, water skis, pontoon boats, powerboats, fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, other boating accessories, and snowmobiles. Price lists for boats and motors are also included.
Minnesota companies represented in the collection are Alumacraft (1985-1996), Crestliner (1956-1979, 1992-1998), Larson (1956-1999), Glastron (1996-2000), Forester (1972-1988), Lund Boat Company (1967-1996), Pipestone Mariner Corporation (1970-1972), Weere’s Industries (ca.1970-1972), Silver Line (1970-1973), and Spartan Trailers (1972-1982).
Other companies represented include Tahoe, Mercury, Johnson, and many others from 1956-2005. The selling and closing seminar materials of Marine Profit Builders, Inc. from 1985 are included. Also of note is a comic book titled “Get with the wind” from AMF Alcort, an introduction on sailing and using sunfishes, undated.
The sales catalogs were collected by Jack Dolan and Dick Schroer. Jack Dolan owned Dolan's Marine and Dick Schroer owned Highland Marine. Both companies were located in Minnesota. The catalogs were used by Jack Dolan and Dick Shroer at their respective stores. They donated the catalogs to the Minnesota Historical Society together.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by company and/or manufacturer.
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Boating industry catalogs, 1956-2005. Minnesota Historical Society.
Accession number: 16,144
Processed by: Richard Arpi and Alex Kent, September-October 2008.
Catalog ID number: 006704483
Located in St. Peter, Minnesota.
Division of Bayliner Marine Corporation.
Located in Wyoming, Minnesota.
Located in Little Falls, Minnesota. Includes price lists from 1966-1975.
Includes canoes.
Store located at 1708 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis.
Located in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Located in New York Mills, Minnesota.
Located in New York Mills, Minnesota.
Selling and closing seminar materials are also included.
Located in Pipestone, Minnesota.
Located in Wyoming, Minnesota.
Located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.
Located in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Located in West St. Paul, Minnesota.
Also included are documents on a boating course titled "Sail and Power Boating."
Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota.