EXCERPTS FROM A TASTE OF HISTORY

Take a peek through our Crosslake Area History! This is a a great gift for anyone that is familiar with the Crosslake area. Hundreds of pages of interesting and recognizable features from our area.
Chapter 1, “Introduction:” Logging was at its peak at the turn of the century with the Cross Lake Lumber Camp, known as Headquarters, housing up to 1,400 men. A railway was established to haul logs from the Longville area to Cross Lake where the logs were dumped into the lake between what is now Moonlite Bay and the former Starkka gas station.
Chapter 2, "The Battle of Crosslake," (This battle took place in 1799, on the spit of land, #16, across from, and inland from “The Wharf,” in the area known as "Moonlite Bay"): ...Upon reaching the nearby lakeshore, however, along the southerly edge of the point, these hunters (the Ojibwe) were surprised to see several wolves sitting on their haunches out on the ice, furtively observing their camp. So they moved out toward them. Suddenly the "wolves" arose and headed for the nearby woods. But they did not run on four legs!
Chapter 3, "Watertown Township to Crosslake:" By 1885 this township was fairly swarming with men. The government put in the Cross Lake dam and the census for 1885 shows that there were seventy-eight men working there. There were five other settler's homes in township 137, and probably all of them were in township 137, range 27. ...In all, there were 110 persons enumerated, practically all of whom must have lived in this township.
Chapter 4, "Logging Era:" ...Lumberjacks were the mainstay of the logging industry. The jack was usually a single, hard-living young man who worked between ten and twelve hours a day, mostly during the winter out of a logging camp. Between 1870 and 1900, his monthly wages averaged from $15-40 depending upon his position. Many lumberjacks left camp after a hard winter’s work with less than $100..
Chapter 5, "The Pine River Dam:" The Pine River Dam in Crosslake, Minnesota, is one of six reservoir dams constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Mississippi River and its tributaries in northern Minnesota.
Chapter 6, "The Crosslake Post Office:” Ben Knebel ...operated the mail boat on the Whitefish Chain for thirty-nine years, not only delivering mail to mailboxes attached to docks, but often delivering groceries and passengers to points along his mail route. ...Ben became a beloved figure on the Whitefish Chain.
Chapter 7, "Early Settlers," is a description of the early families that settled the Crosslake area. This chapter contains the stories of the Allens, Beavers, Buchite’s, Butterfields, Clines, Fuhere’s, Gordon’s, Gould’s, Kimball’s, Musolf’s, Ostlund’s, Reeser’s, Seekel’s, Stowe’s, and Swartout’s. The following excerpt is from Mary Allen, describing the event of the Cross Lake Dam breaking and flooding the area to the south:
Chapter 8, "Crosslake Community Schools:,” This chapter contains many old photos of one-room schoolhouses that once existed around the area, plus the students and teachers who occupied them. It tells the story of Ami Gould, the first homesteader in the township, beginning a school in his blacksmith shop for his and neighboring children. Later, men from the community hauled logs and donated their labor to construct the first schoolhouse, known as the Hellensburg School, named after Helen Frost, the daughter of early pioneers. Later other schoolhouses were built, some which remain today.
Chapter 9, "Churches:" This chapter lists the churches, past and present, in the Crosslake area, containing photos and brief descriptions of their history.

Chapter 10, "Business Through the Years:" If you grew up or vacationed in the Crosslake area decades ago, it will be a stroll down memory lane to read the stories and see the photos of landmark business of long gone. Remember the wonderful smells of Akre's Dutch Oven and Bakery! The wonderful fashions, moccasins, jewelry, and up-north souvenirs at the Beachcombers were a shopping stop never missed. How many can remember an airport or a drive-in movie theatre in downtown Crosslake? This chapter contains pictures of the first Crosslake stores, the Thunderbird Shop, and Andy's--where you could enjoy their featured steak and play an early bowling game while waiting for it to be served. The story of the complex across from Manhattan Beach is featured, (also contained in a ghost story in Chapter 13). If you once shopped there years ago, you will probably find it in this chapter!
Chapter 11, "Tourism:" This chapter discusses the natural progression from logging to tourism, listing known resorts from the past (some still remaining), that once occupied the shores of the Whitefish Chain. Stories, photos, and favorite recipes served at some of these resorts are included. From Birch Hill to White Forest Lodge, it will jog long-forgotten memories for those who once resorted to this area. Especially interesting are early photos of the still popular Manhattan Beach Lodge.
Chapter 12, "Landmarks:" Area landmarks of the past were summer camps for children, some still in existence, the Clover Club, Duffy’s Café and Tavern, the Log Jam, Moonlite Bay, and others. Each listed landmark contains its story along with photos that will take you on a delightful stroll down memory lane.
Chapter 13, "Gangsters, Ghosts, & Other Moments of Infamy:" Gangsters, ghosts, kidnapping, murder—Crosslake has witnessed it all. During Prohibition, this area was a haven for infamous gangsters such as John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, Legs Diamond, and others. Many area roads to this day, such as Bourbon Lane and Old Whiskey Road, are named for their legacy of concealing illegal stills and other bootlegging activities. This chapter contains stories of their activities, their escapes to the hospitality of the north woods at times of being pursed, as well as their activities while in the area—gambling and robbing local banks.
Chapter 14, "Our Neighbors Throughout the Years:" This chapter solicited family stories, photos, and favorite recipes from area families grouped by townships. Their tales, favorite family dishes, and photos are contained within.
Chapter 15, "People and Places to Remember:" More stories, photos, and family recipes from additional lakeshore neighbors.
Chapter 16, "Crosslake Today:" Written in 1968 by Janet Johnson, this chapter was a school assignment from the University of Minnesota's Geography correspondence course. The university passed it on to our organization, and it offers a valuable glimpse of our community and area businesses through the eyes of a college girl in the late 1960s. This chapter finishes with a list of the Crosslake Area Historical Society's Board of Directors through the years, plus an "Odds & Ends" section listing various facts that didn't fit into any other chapters, but were interesting enough to include in the book. Finally, if you've ever wanted to know how to tan a deer hide, Augusta Gordon provides you with complete instructions in her own words, delivered just one month before her 100th birthday.
Crosslake Area Historical Society | PO Box 134, Crosslake, MN 56442 | 218-692-5400