The beginning of the East Gull Lake History archives (Fall 2012 Newsletter)

Thoughts elevated to action this summer (Summer of 2012) when a committee assembled to organize, research and compile the city’s vast and colorful history.  Dick and Marie Esser, Jack Hickerson, Dennis Lang, Dave Maccabbe, Rob Mason and Ruth Nelson are collaborating with newly appointed history editor Linda  Engel.

A website is being developed to post assembled facts, scanned photographs and annotated histories that will report area geology, archeology, early explorations, settlement and development. 

Since the project got off the ground mid-summer, emphasis has been placed on interviewing current and former community residents and visitors, seeking family and business memories and stories.  Whether individuals have been in East Gull Lake less than a decade or for nearly a century, common threads of enthusiasm and pride are turning the committee’s endeavor into a fun and exciting voyage.

Displayed with this article are two photographs taken 90 years apart of a cabin owned by one family.  Poised on the shores of the “big lake” off Green Gables Road, this property’s history is typical of many others within the city limits. Long before the days of air conditioning, families came from points south    to cooler climes.   Dr. Benjamin Gregory Williams and his wife Nelle drove from Iowa to tent on Squaw Point.  In 1922, they purchased property from Henry White and contracted Pete Peterson to build the original structure. 

B.G. and Nelle had one child, Esther, who married Dr. Walter Campbell.  Campbell was one of 6 doctors serving on a naval ship during World War II.  The cabin was closed during that stretch of time, but otherwise the family of descendents,  now into the sixth generation, have shared summer occupancy, maintenance, updates and remodel projects every summer.

Dr. Williams died at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, in 1952.  After his wife’s death, their only child Esther Campbell became owner.  In June of 1966, she gave the property to her three sons and their wives, (Bob and Barbara, John and Dianne, Keith and Mary Fran.)

Keith and Mary Fran built a new home on Steamboat Bay, Birch Island, in 1980. (Watch for more information about their “earth home” on the future website.) Bob and Barbara became current owners of the family’s Green Gables property in 1983 and their daughter Toddy and her husband Rick Cook spend summers at the cabin now.  Toddy’s brother John ended up marrying a girl from “down the beach”:  Mary Manion.  That’s another story for the upcoming website and also indicative of similar   unions that began as summer romances on beaches and resorts here.

This project is mushrooming, thanks to participation and enthusiasm of the committee, support of the council, and patient assistance from Brenda and Cathy in the City Hall office.  But, without the willingness of subjects to be interviewed, there would be no real energy for going forward.   Thanks are owed to those who have already graciously opened their homes, shared stories and allowed photographs to be taken and scanned.  All stories are welcome.  If you haven’t already been contacted, but wish to share, please call city hall (218.828.9279) or Linda Engel (435.714.0618, email oLesengel@gmail.com.)