Spruce Lodge - After All These Years
The Meyer Family – Some of Star Lake’s First Settlers
The maximum speed limit was ten mph. The average life expectancy for men was 47 years. The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour. Teddy Roosevelt was headed for the Lincoln Bedroom. And John Meyer was planting the seed for Spruce Lodge Resort, one of four original Star Lake resorts still in operation.
Around the turn of the 20th century, Meyer purchased 187 acres in Section 25 of Dora Township for 75 cents an acre. The land was mostly timber, with some grassland. His son, Frank Casper Meyer, settled there with his wife Kate. Like others, they farmed, ran a sawmill, and knew the value of hard work. They had nine children: Frank Henry Jr., George, August, Ernest, Lana, Alex, Lora, Clarence, and Arthur. The kids did farm work, hunted, and helped in the house.
In 1910, Frank Sr. built a pavilion on Round Lake where he held weekly dances. On the 4th of July, men were charged $1 for all the dancing and free beer a body could tolerate. Women were admitted without charge.
Spruce Lodge Starts to Take Shape
By 1918, Frank Sr. was ready for another adventure and decided to start a resort business. He bought Spruce Lodge on Star Lake from Charlie Musser. Charlie had no cabins but accommodated guests in his large home and rented boats. Frank built three cabins and some flat-bottom boats.
Frank supplemented his income by building another pavilion for dances and parties at Spruce Lodge, this time in the shape of a hexagon. The pavilion was located where the seasonal camps exist today. “A bandstand was in the middle of the pavilion, and benches circled the outer edge. In the center was a maypole,” said Ruth Felton, current owner of Spruce Lodge. Gas lanterns served as lights.
Weekly dances at the pavilion were popular, and it hosted the local Lake Side Society Club, which was organized by Jim Tully, who used it for community fairs. It was the go-to place for family reunions and picnics, a hot spot for the community, and made for fabulous roller skating.
Changing of the Spruce Lodge Guard
Frank and Katherine passed away in 1933, and the resort changed hands a few times. The Morchel Company, Ben Bylund, Frank Steele, Ralph Crews, and Ernest Strehlow, whose wife Hattie worked at the American Hunting Club on the south arm of Star Lake, all played a role in its development.
Locals tell a tale of one owner whose new bride didn’t take to country living or resort living for that matter. Shortly after they married and settled into Spruce Lodge, the bride split for home, last seen heading east.
The Feltons Take the Spruce Lodge Baton and Never Look Back
Ruth and Floyd (Skeeter) Felton purchased Spruce Lodge in 1977 when Star Lake peaked at 14 resorts. Floyd taught Industrial Arts in Canby Public Schools until he retired in 1996, and Ruth taught Kindergarten for 43 years. In 1998, he and Ruth made Spruce Lodge their full-time home.
Skeeter passed away unexpectedly in 2003, and like other brazenly fierce Star Lake women before her, Ruth persevered with help from family and friends. Ruth’s memory is razor sharp; at almost 90, she is a spark plug. “Charlie Kirkenwitz and his band played here a lot,” said Ruth Felton, the current owner. Country Ramblers, Little Elf and His Band, Hank Duel Trio, and Marlin Bendickson were among dozens of country bands that played at dances in the area.
Ruth has spent 48 summers at Spruce Lodge. She knows the resort's magic isn't just in its history and the community gatherings it hosts but also in the serene beauty that envelops it. “Some people thought I would sell the resort after we lost Skeeter, but I just couldn’t do that,” said Ruth. “We have so many loyal customers who are like family.” Ruth credits her three children, Wade, Ali, and Cindy, with their help and support.
Visit Spruce Lodge and see for yourself. Stay for the sunset and the sunrise; both have their unique charm. Set a spell and reflect on Spruce Lodge’s storied past and the beauty that attracted its first settlers.
The dwelling at Spruce Lodge is one of the oldest buildings, perhaps the oldest still standing and being used on Star Lake. It sits just behind the trees in these photos. It is believed to have been built in the 1880s, probably by Montgomery Berfield, a Civil War veteran who operated a sawmill there. Berfield was issued a land grant by President Grover Cleveland for the property. In 1896, Berfield was killed instantly while hauling logs to a mill in Evergreen, Minnesota. The newspaper reported, “The load tipped over, and a heavy log fell upon his breast.”
The first “recorded” building on the property was in 1911. A 648 square foot 1 ½ story structure was built, along with one 404 square foot cabin and a couple of sheds.
Fred and Oscar Peterson helped construct the pavilion at Spruce Lodge. The Petersons have a long history on Star Lake. Charles Peterson homesteaded 88 acres on Star Lake Point, known today as Peterson Point. Charles and his wife Hannah Hanson had two sons, Fred and Oscar. Fred was famous for his duck decoys, and Oscar may be remembered most for building the Star Lake Lagoon Gardens.
A vintage album cover of Chuck Kirchenwitz and The Country Ramblers captures a moment of their live performance. Spruce Lodge was known for hosting these popular performances, making it a central part of the local music scene. Chuck Kirchenwitz and the Country Ramblers played the dance scene out east. A favorite was Spruce Lodge.
A glimpse into the history of Spruce Lodge, showing a row of cabins with distinct names, including “Eagle Camp.” At its height, the resort featured 11 cabins, offering guests a variety of lodging options in a picturesque setting. At its peak, Spruce Lodge had 11 cabins, each with their own name.
This is an old map of Dora Township, showing land ownership and geographical features. The map is labeled with various land plots, rivers, and lakes, including the area where John Meyer made his land purchase, marked in blue. This acquisition eventually led to his son, Frank Meyer, becoming involved in the development of the Spruce Lodge Resort.
John Meyer’s land purchase in Dora Township circled in blue, brought his son, Frank, to the area. Frank Meyer would be instrumental in developing Spruce Lodge Resort.
