https://www.walkermn.com/news/forestview-lodges-77-year-history-comes-to-a-close/article_e94c0852-33b7-5be1-a7af-18324eeeed01.html
Forestview Resort was one of the jewels of Leech Lake for a long time. It was a true fishing resort that grew into a family fishing resort but went by the wayside eventually. It was a huge resort that covered a lot of land and had a lot of cabins. They often called it Forestview the Beautiful. At one time they painted that on the side of their boats. And it was beautiful.
Forestview opened in 1924. It really was one of the move beautiful resorts on the lake. From Ren Holland's book The Early Resorts of Minnesota, they had room for 75 guests, $3.50 per day, and $21 per week. I highly recommend Ren's book. He has done a lot of research. See my post on his book.
As the case with many of the old jewels, it fell into disrepair late in it's life and the owners figured out that they could make more money selling out the developers than running a resort. I can remember when Vera Kinder and her sons ran the place.
It really was quite a place. My family stayed at Forest View when it was at the tail end of its life. It was like an old beauty queen. You could tell that it was once upon a time a beautiful and great place, but it wasn't what it was. I found it very sad that it ended up being sold off for a luxury development.
I'd love to hear your stories about Forestview Resort. One of the great resorts on Leech Lake that have gone by the wayside.
As the case with many of the old jewels, it fell into disrepair late in it's life and the owners figured out that they could make more money selling out the developers than running a resort. I can remember when Vera Kinder and her sons ran the place.
It really was quite a place. My family stayed at Forest View when it was at the tail end of its life. It was like an old beauty queen. You could tell that it was once upon a time a beautiful and great place, but it wasn't what it was. I found it very sad that it ended up being sold off for a luxury development.
I'd love to hear your stories about Forestview Resort. One of the great resorts on Leech Lake that have gone by the wayside.
From the late 1950's early 60's Chamber of Commerce map:
Forestview Lodge - American-modified plans. Large boat, golf, water-skiing included. Heated swimming pool. Fireplace, gas heat. Pleasant family resort with facilities for conventions. Launch, boat, harbor. Walker, Minn. Tel VE 6-6-2441
Our family went to Forestview the beautiful every year for many years with 7 other families. We would go the 4th if July week, we would generally occupy cabins 2 through 8, I have so many photos of our time spent there. Wonderful memories. We started going in the 60s and continued through the late 70s. There was a major renovation done to the original lodge, we enjoyed bingo nights, turtle races, jumping on the trampoline and of course skiing and the pool. Sad to know it no longer exist.
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you shared your pictures and more memories.
DeleteDon't forget about Orv, Vira's husband and maybe a brother named Ted?
ReplyDeleteI used to get a great guide named Marv who used to also have his own resort, and another guide named Larry my dad and brother requested.
Always loved a shore lunch 1 of the days, nothing like hitting a perch hole before and then frying them up. If I remember my years up there were 1973 to 1986, My younger brother when he finally got to go up found the game room in the basement,all he wanted was quarters from anyone who he could get them from so he could play.
Oh my. Marv’s Cabins at Whipholt. Huddles is still there. Roy passed a year or two ago.
DeleteMy family started going to Forestview in 1950, continuing into the mid 60's. Around 1956-7 we bought five acres from Forestview immediately to the southeast near Forestview's old boathouse where they kept their large motor launch. We built a cabin, a shed, and a roofed and screened cookout closer to the lake.
ReplyDeleteReading one of the blog responses, Vera's husband was Orville Kinder. Vera's brother was Ted Nichols, and Ted's wife was Dorothy or Dottie. As we understood it, both families were equal partners in owning and operating Forestview.
The fishing guide who drove the launch was a part Swedish, part Indian by the name of Avery Emory. Avery was a legend on Leech Lake. There were many stories about Avery. One was a pencil written note inside the outhouse by the boat dock that said "I was in here when it was 50 below - A. Emory." When our family was on the launch with Avery he would periodically take a peek at his pocket watch while we were concentrating on our fishing lines. Inevitably one of my siblings or I would ask "Hey, Avery. What time is it?" Avery would take off his hat, scratch is head, lean out from the launch and look at the sky and say "Oh, 10 to 3," or whatever time he knew it was from having checked his watch only a few minutes earlier. Avery knew where to catch fish. We seldom got skunked.
I have many great memories of the square dances at the lodge, playing shuffleboard, the Chippewa Indian dances (now called powwows) in Walker on Saturday nights, but especially the fishing. I once hooked a 15-20 lb Northern while casting with a DareDevil spoon from the boat dock toward the Forestview breakwater. I had that fish almost into a net my brother was holding when it broke free, having chewed through my steel leader.
Fantastic memories. I’m so glad you shared. I was so sad when forestview closed. As so many of the old resorts did. Please feel free to share more.
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