My parents bought land in 1928 on a beautiful lake in the Hackensack/Longville, Minn., area. The swimming beach was perfect, with good fishing, loons and gorgeous sunsets. After building a small log cabin in 1931, with add-ons later, they had a few more small cottages built to rent out (They were $25 a week). My mother ran a resort with help from my sisters and me. Dad also came up from Minneapolis on weekends to help. My father died in 1960 and my mother continued to live there in the summer for many years. As we married and had children, all but three of the cabins were sold. They remained in the family, but the arrival of great-grandchildren and a need for more space meant more changes. A year ago, the old log cabin was torn down and a new lake cabin was built. No more carpenter ants or mice! The children now carry on the traditions of the royal rummy board game and July 4th family gatherings. I hope they enjoy it for years to come.
Here is a poem by my granddaughter Hayley:
The Beginning
Traveling long, the winding roads, surrounded by nothing but green.
Knowing there was something about this land, but not knowing what it would mean.
The fishing was good and the hunting was great, so Carl decided to share.
He created a place so special to us; a place with experiences so rare.
Phyllis Russell Dunstone, Richfield
