My wife, Carol, and I purchased our cabin parcel on Gunlock Lake near Minocqua, Wis., in 2001. Since acquiring the property, we have met and talked to many of its previous owners or their descendants, including Virginia Skelton, a descendant of Abraham Lincoln. Virginia and her husband William, a direct relative of the late comedian Red Skelton, bought the property in 1978.
A couple of summers ago, the family of Ignatius and Daisy (Phillips) Fitzpatrick came to visit us from their home in California. Ignatius and Daisy were previous owners, and at the time they purchased the property in 1929, they owned the Old Dutch soap company in Chicago. The family specifically came to Wisconsin to see the property, and lots of history and pieces of the puzzle were put together during this visit.
A couple of summers ago, the family of Ignatius and Daisy (Phillips) Fitzpatrick came to visit us from their home in California. Ignatius and Daisy were previous owners, and at the time they purchased the property in 1929, they owned the Old Dutch soap company in Chicago. The family specifically came to Wisconsin to see the property, and lots of history and pieces of the puzzle were put together during this visit.
The original estate was divided and sold in the early 1990s. Our current neighbors, Ken and Elaine Orstead, bought one parcel that included the main house, a garage and a bathhouse. Our parcel includes a honeymoon cabin, a caretaker house and a boathouse.
In the 1930s, the original boathouse was moved approximately 200 feet over the ice to its present location. The structure sits on rock cribs rather than sunken pilings, and these sink slowly each year, so frequent maintenance is necessary to keep the boathouse appropriately level.
For the most part, the boathouse is in its original form and condition, but we have made some updates. We painted the exterior, put on a new roof to stop some major leaks and added a sink for washing dishes.
The boathouse is not insulated or heated, so we only keep it open from May through October. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom with a shower, and a large sitting room that we use to eat in and just relax.
On the lower level, we keep one boat on a lift, all of our beach essentials and a fully stocked bar with refrigerator. It’s a great place to relax at the end of a fun-filled day.
In the 1930s, the original boathouse was moved approximately 200 feet over the ice to its present location. The structure sits on rock cribs rather than sunken pilings, and these sink slowly each year, so frequent maintenance is necessary to keep the boathouse appropriately level.
For the most part, the boathouse is in its original form and condition, but we have made some updates. We painted the exterior, put on a new roof to stop some major leaks and added a sink for washing dishes.
The boathouse is not insulated or heated, so we only keep it open from May through October. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom with a shower, and a large sitting room that we use to eat in and just relax.
On the lower level, we keep one boat on a lift, all of our beach essentials and a fully stocked bar with refrigerator. It’s a great place to relax at the end of a fun-filled day.
Cabin Porn: Inside
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Bear Pattern Wall Mounted Hooks
