At one time there were four small log cabins on the Preus property, but two were taken apart and used to make the governor’s cabin, pictured above. The cabin, which was situated half a block up the old Gunflint Trail, has been moved to the Wunderbar. Photo courtesy of the Wunderbar
For many years the governor’s cottage sat in a small wood just above the North House Folk School offices, a quaint brown log cabin with red painted trim.
But today its new home is at the Wunderbar, where it will be part of the glampground business.
The cabin has been owned and used by Daniel and Linda Preus for many years. Now that the 20 x 24 foot structure has been moved, Daniel said he and his wife are having Nathan Works build a slightly larger winterized cabin for the couple who live in St. Louis, Missouri but love to come and vacation here.
Daniel is the grandson of Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus, Minnesota’s 20th governor, who built the cabin and spent many summer vacations in Grand Marais. Who was Gov. Preus?
After a six-year run as Minnesota State Auditor Jacob Preus, a Republican, became the 20th governor of Minnesota serving from January 5, 1921, to January 6, 1925.
The two-term governor was something of a reformer, making low-interest loans available to farmers through the Rural Credit Bureau. He is also credited with creating the Department of Agriculture. Wealthy owners of iron ore mines paid higher taxes under Preus, and the state’s highways were expanded under his governance. Equal rights and voting rights were improved under Preus, the son, grandson and great-grandson of Lutheran ministers.
Terri and Chris Downing stand in the doorway of the governor’s cabin, which is now situated under a tree near the fire pit at the Wunderbar. The cabin will be used as a check in and check out for the glampground, among other things. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Preus, a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, a school his extended family had a significant role in starting in 1862, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota law school, left politics after his second term as governor ended to become an insurance executive in Chicago.
In 1958 he returned to Minneapolis and served as board chairman of Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal insurance society he co-founded in 1917. Preus also founded the Aid Association for Lutherans, which consolidated eventually and became Thrivent Financial in the 1990s.
He was also instrumental in getting the Gunflint Trail built. Glampground
The governor’s cabin was purchased from the Preuses, said Terri Downing, who with her husband Chris is the primary owner of the Wunderbar.
“They wanted the cabin to be somewhere where it could be seen by the public, and not up the Gunflint Trail hidden away on someone’s property,” said Terri.
The cabin will be used as a check-in for the seven units offered to guests. There will also be ice cream and sorbet sold at the cabin, as well as grab and go food, Terri said.
What is a glampground, you ask?
Started in Europe about 15 years ago, glamping is a combination of glamour and camping or camping with amenities. There are trailers from the 1960s and tents at the Wunderbar, each outfitted with fancy bedding and fun, interesting interiors.
Soon a deck will be added to the governor’s cabin. The deck will be used by musicians who will play for the people who gather around the fire pit.
In the near future, said Terri, another new type of place to stay will be added to the bar, restaurant, and camping facility.
“We will be the first place in North America who has an eco-pod from South Africa,” said Terri. The small, stylish structures are elegant in design and built to be environmentally friendly.
So far, the glamping business has been good. “We are mostly booked from Thursday through the weekend,” Terri said. “Some families have booked two years in advance. The response so far has been amazing.”
Other additions include cutting some trails into the property and carving out a few more camping spots for people who want more privacy.
“We have more plans for the future, but for now, we will do our best to keep improving this space and making this a great place for people to stay,” Terri said.
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