This area was originally acquired by the Grand Commandary of the
Knights Templar, a Masonic Order, in 1885. They built a grand lodge
there which stood until the 1970's.
The picture shows the Lodge as it appeared at the end of it's
heyday in the mid 1960's. It had a popular grand ballroom and was
known as having one of the finest dining rooms in the Lakes
area.
Alas, the building was made of concrete, so it was impractical
to modernize it. The rooms were rather spartan, with crude beds, a
washbasin with a pitcher, and a slop bucket. As the patronage
dwindled, the lands on either side were sold off to the owners of
the cottages built there on leases. But that was not enough of a
financial boost to save the lodge.
All that remains now is the unique archway over the entrance to
the park, the concrete staircase and walkway next to the beach, and
the splended view of Spirit Lake. The DNR has added several picnic
shelters and modern restrooms in what is now a small state park.
The cache has been officially approved by the State Park Ranger at
Gull Point.
