Whether guests enjoy the adventure of nearby Lutsen Mountains or peaceful relaxation on Lake Superior’s shore, Lutsen Resort has something for everyone. The historic resort is celebrating 125 years of offering hospitality on the North Shore.
Earlier this year, as Lutsen Resort entered its 125th year of offering hospitality to travelers on the North Shore, owners Scott Harrison and Nancy Burns sent out a request. They asked former employees, guests, and community members to contact them. They asked them to share their memories of the resort. This weekend, on Saturday, October 16, a gala birthday party will be held, stories will be told—and a giant 15-liter bottle of champagne will be opened to celebrate the rich history of this North Shore landmark.
Lutsen Resort has changed over the years, from the fishing shanty and family homestead built by C.A.A. Nelson in 1885 to a resort offering luxurious rooms, fine dining, and family activities. However, the lodge has not lost its rustic charm. Sitting in butter-soft leather chairs in the cozy lobby of the main lodge, with its roughhewn beams, burnished wood floors, Scandinavian carvings, and rugged stone fireplace, a visitor feels warm and comfortable. Lutsen Resort is what it has always been—a safe haven on the shore of Lake Superior.
Current owners Scott Harrison and Nancy Burns take a break from resort operation for a photo overlooking the Poplar River and Lake Superior.
The Cook County News-
Herald
sat down in the historic main lodge lobby with Lutsen Resort General Manager Diane Loh, an almost 50-year employee of the resort (and grandniece of former owner Inga Nelson) to talk about how things have changed over the years.
Loh, who is semi-retired and now shares her management duties with Jeff Stoddard, said the first change that comes to mind is that the resort used to offer the “American Plan.” Guests could stay on the plan and enjoy three full meals a day. As guests changed their routines and spent more time away from the resort, the American Plan ended. However, Loh said the concept is returning in a different form. “We have all sorts of packages,” she explained. “And some of them include meals, like our family package. We also offer a honeymoon package, a fall color package, ski packages. Just about anything you can think of, we’ll package it.”
In addition to changes in how guests dine, the number of buildings and lodging opportunities has drastically changed from C.A.A. Nelson’s handful of hotel rooms on the second floor of his house in 1893. In the 1920s, the lodge had 30 rooms and in 1928 Cliff House was built, allowing Lutsen Resort to accommodate up to 225 people. Fire destroyed the old lodge in 1948 and an Edwin Lundiedesigned lodge was built—only to burn again in 1951. The next generation—George Nelson Sr. and his wife, Inga, were not to be deterred. They rebuilt another Lundie Lodge in 1952, which is the main lodge still standing today.
When George Sr. and Inga retired in 1965 and turned the business over to their son, George Jr. and his wife, Patty, more expansion took place—in part to keep up with the lodging needs of George Jr.’s successful ski hill venture. In 1968 the ground was broken for the Sea Villa Townhomes.
The Nelsons sold the resort in 1988 and under management of Scott Harrison and Nancy Burns and Diane Loh, the expansion continued. In 1993, Lutsen Resort Lakeside Log Homes was built, then Poplar River Condominiums and most recently, in 2005, Cliffhouse Townhomes. Loh said the resort now has a “nice mix” of new and older units, with something for everyone.
“Everyone stops by the main lodge though,” said Loh fondly. “The main lodge is really the heart of the resort.”
Of course it helps that the main lodge is the place to find out about all the activities that take place at Lutsen Resort— guided hikes, live music, evening beach campfires, nature crafts, yoga, swimming, kayak instruction, massage therapy, golf, and disc golf.
The main lodge is also the site of many weddings—sometimes as many as three in a weekend, said Loh. The resort has invested in lovely white tents for the courtyard outside the swimming pool to provide shelter in inclement weather and shade in hot weather. The beach, the bridge, the grassy wedding pavilion area are all ideal places for wedding photos. Loh said the resort can handle weddings for groups of 30 to 150. “We really love doing weddings— and we have a fabulous honeymoon package!”
The main lodge is also one of the best places to be close to Lake Superior. Adirondack chairs invite guests to stop, relax, and just watch the water. Thatis something that hasn’t changed over the years, said Loh. At least not much. “The beach changes with storms. Sometimes there is a sandbar at the mouth of the [Poplar] river. This summer, it held water there and it was warm enough for people to swim.
“And you know…the rock is closer than it used to be,” said Loh, looking out at the familiar yet changing cobblestone beach.
On the beach on this sunny fall day was a number of small family groups, some that Loh knew. “There are people who have been coming here forever. We just had a group from Iowa. Theycame here when they were newly married on a ski package— now their kids are coming with their children. Lutsen is their family tradition.”
Leave a Reply