Bolz Family Picture Gallery - 1 Bolz Nelson's Resort and Crane Lake

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Nelson's Resort and Crane Lake Pictures

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Baby Deers - October 1968

Millie and Baby Deer with Toby and Sandy

John and Millies wedding picture

Camp Chase 1923 -Eric and Torkel managed in 1929 and 1930 - wouldnt sell so bought what is now Nelsons

Bill and Abigail Gund, along with their two daughters, Ruby and Lillian, homesteaded what is now Nelsons resort in 1910. Ruby, the eldest, married Jack Handberg in 1914. Jack was US forest ranger at Crane Lake and about 1924, he and Ruby started Handbergs Northwoods Lodge.

Ruby Gund Handberg and Lillian Gund Hezzelwood have both passed away.

Ruby and Lillian Gund in canoe with forest rangers.

Current site of Nelsons dock. This is before Kettle Falls dam (1910) and shows natural water level.

Bill and Abigail Gund and Lillian

L to R ranger, unknown, Ranger, Lillian Gund , Bill & Abigail Gund, Gina Finstead Erickson, Ruby Gund Handberg - 1910

This building was the Gunds original homestead cabin and stood where our present trading post now stands. When Mr. Gund died in the late summer of 1919, Mrs. Gund sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. Rollo Chaffee, who in turn sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rall,

In 1922, this same building was the first Crane Lake post office and Indian trading post operated by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rall. It burned down April 21, 1933

In 1924, the Ralls sold it back to that Chaffees who then leased it to two young men named Kniebone and Smith in 1925 in 1926. Then it was leased to Mr. and Mrs. Crowe in 1927 and 1928. Next it was leased to Mr. and Mrs. Pachale in 1929 and 1930.

In the fall of 1930, John and Millie leased the property. They saw an opportunity to go into business so bought a part of it in 1934. Another purchase was made in 1945 and the final purchase in 1955. They knew that the business would not be able to support them at first, so John continued to work at the railroad until 1945, when the business grew to the point where they felt it was necessary for both of them to be there full time. At that time, John retired from the railroad.

Trading post owned by Rollo Chaffee run by Kniebone and Smith - 1925

Lodge - built 1918 and 1919 - looked like this in 1930 when John and Millie came to Crane Lake. Notice clothes lines in front

Lodge - November 1930

Between 1932 and 1939 (probably 1934) after Millies landscaping

Dining room added on west side, kitchen on east, old kitchen became lounge - summer 1951

Hand painted sign by Millie. Crane Lake cabins never caught on - became Nelsons resort.

Lodge and Dining room , bunk house and wood shed - early 1940s

Oil house became teeny - About 1935 - replaces one that burned in 1933

Belva and Goldie - Winter 1932

Store July 1937 - Farm cabin in background

Store built 1933 - Picture taken in 1940

Ed Smith was half Cherokee Indian and half Irish. He was born in Cherokee, North Carolina in 1883. He came to Crane Lake in June 1934. He created the guiding standards of Crane Lake. Ed guided for us for many years. After he quit guiding he helped Millie with the landscaping and yard work. He died in 1973 at the age of 90.

Eds first guiding trip. One Sunday evening he was studying maps of the lakes and talking to himself. John heard him say after looking at the map of Namakin, "That could be rainy Lake." Then he turned to John and said, "Can I have a boat and motor tomorrow?" John said, "Yes, are you going out to learn the lakes?" Ed said, "No, Im taking them people." John said, "You mean you are going to be there guides?" Ed said, "Thats what I came here for." John said, "Whereto?" Ed said, "Rainy Lake." John said,"You have never been to Rainy Lake-the only time you have been out of Crane Lake was with me yesterday when we went to La Croix." Ed said,"You know that, and I know that, but they dont."

Goldie, Belva and Rose (1st cook) - abt 1932

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