An Informal History of Gunflint Lodge...

Part 4

After the war, the resorts in the area felt the pressure to modernize. Old 32-volt generators were replaced by army surplus 120-volt generators. The resorts started a telephone company. Adding indoor plumbing became necessary. Justine drew plans of the cabins and went to Montgomery Wards. From her plans the store employees drew up a plumbing system and sold her all that was needed to install it. Justine went home and learned through practical experience to be a plumber. Wood stoves were replaced with “modern” fuel oil stoves. An army surplus field telephone system was installed between buildings.

Generally the resort business prospered during these years of the late forties and early fifties. After the tight depression and war years, people had money and time to spend again. The growing Kerfoot children (Bruce, Pat, and Sharon) were able to take some of the load off Bill and Justine. Improvements to the main lodge and cabins progressed at a steady pace.

In June of 1953 disaster struck! The main lodge caught fire and burned to the ground. Justine reacted to this event just as she had to the depression. She was not about to give up all she had worked so hard for. The morning after the fire, the Kerfoot cabin was transformed into a substitute lodge. In one corner was a small store with pop and candy. A cigar box run on the honor system became the cash register. Tables and benches went into the living room to transform it into a dining room.

Work started on the new lodge as soon as the fire debris was cleaned up. Everyone worked like they never had before. Workdays lengthened. Coffee breaks were unheard of. Incoming guests were greeted from the top of a ladder. Some guests came in after a day of fishing and picked up a hammer to help for a bit. The building quickly took shape. The new lodge went into operation in August. It wasn’t complete but it was functional. The floor was sub-floor planks. The walls had no paneling. There were no fireplaces. Oak floors, paneling, new dining room furniture, fireplaces, and even curtains would be added in time for the next season. In August these extras were trivial. The kitchen, however, was completely finished. This building, designed on the spur of the moment, has served the resort well for many years.

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