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Photos Courtesy of LAKE CREEK LODGE At the dawn of the 20th century, wheat farmers made their way from eastern Oregon to the Metolius Basin to fish and recreate in summer. Little did they know these would be the beginnings of a time-honored tradition in hospitality that would eventually become Lake Creek Lodge. In 1921, Martin Hansen purchased land on the middle fork of Lake Creek in Camp Sherman, founding Hansen’s Resort, whose humble beginnings began as partial walls on platforms with a tent thrown over a frame. Cabins eventually replaced the tents and Hansen dammed Lake Creek to create a swimming hole, erecting the main lodge which would burn down before being rebuilt in 1935. That same year, Bertha Reynolds of the Reynolds Tobacco family purchased the property, renaming it Lake Creek Lodge, the very same structure that remains standing today. Shortly after the purchase, Reynolds hired Bud and Roblay McMullen as caretakers who managed the lodge for many years until it was gifted to them in the 1940s. The brothers continued the tradition of hospitality, upgrading the cabins and adding stables and pasture golf for the amusement of their guests. Meals were served on the deck in summer and fishing was a favored activity on the stocked pond. With the passing of Roblay McMullen, Lake Creek Lodge was purchased by a group of Oregon State University professors and the new owners, led by Margaret Lumpkin and Velda Brust continued to improve the property, incorporating indoor plumbing and a swimming pool. In 2003, Gordon and Jeff Jones purchased the lodge, cabins and 42 acres of property. Although upgrades continue, the traditions that began in the early 1900s still remain. “We still hold family style buffet meals in the summertime outside on the deck,” says Jeff Jones. “The cabins don’t have TVs or telephones, which admittedly at times is a challenge as guests are always seeking the comforts of home. We’ve gone ‘wireless’ to accommodate those needs.” Two years after purchasing the resort, the Jones brothers built two additional cabins and completely restored another, earning the Creative Construction and Outstanding Resort Restoration awards from the Central Oregon Association of Realtors in their campaign for Building a Better Central Oregon. Last year, the man-made pond was restored to the original meandering creek with additions of a new bridge and the installation of whole trees, rock and vegetation to stabilize the stream channel. As a result, Chinook and Sockeye salmon are expected to return to Lake Creek and the Metolius River in 2008. “Lake Creek Lodge is a traditional place where families return year after year,” says Jennifer Severeide, office manager for the resort. “It’s a rare commodity you don’t see much anymore – folks relying on nature and each other for entertainment while escaping from the busyness of life.” Severeide shared the story of a gentleman who recently visited the resort with his young son. Shortly after checking in, he returned to the front desk, inquiring as to the absence of a television in his cabin, saying, “What am I supposed to do with my son for four days?” Severeide suggested a visit to the fish hatchery, renting bikes, fishing on the Metolius or a kayak excursion on nearby Suttle Lake. “Each night as I prepared to leave, I noticed father and son sitting on the porch of their cabin by the pond,” she shares. “When he checked out, there were tears in his eyes as he said he didn’t think he could share that much time with his son and so thoroughly enjoy it. It was the best time of their lives and he so appreciated that we could offer such a unique family experience.” Further exploration of this extraordinary expanse of ground reveals two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, swing sets and 18 cabins dating from the 1920s that dot the property, all meticulously constructed in knotty pine. “We’ve installed honeycomb tiles in the bathrooms and small pane windows that although are expensive are in keeping with tradition,” Severeide says. “There are three different stages of cabins, ranging from the oldest from the twenties to the newest, built in 2000, all with different amenities and ambiance. Comforters are designed with the time period in mind as well as a selection of furniture, pictures and carpeting. At the end of the day, the feel of the place is what’s important.” Family tradition continues. Severeide shares a story of a woman who began coming to the resort when she was 12 years old. “She’s 76 now and still returns for two weeks every year,” she says with a smile. “Her children come with theirs and she’s occupied the same cabin for 60 years now.” Severeide goes on to share the story of a couple who have been returning with their family for over four decades. “They return at the same time of year to reunite with the people they met here 45 years ago,” she says. “Their kids are growing up together and now the grandchildren are continuing the same tradition.” Picture this. Imagine sitting on your cabin porch in summertime as the sound of the dinner bell heralds a family style dinner on the deck of the Lodge. Kids search for crawdads in the creek and not far away in another cabin, a couple from the Oregon coast settle in with good books, content to luxuriate in their natural surroundings. The special touches are what distinguish Lake Creek Lodge from other establishments. “We’ve been welcoming a guest who has rented the same cabin for almost 60 years now,” says Severeide. “An old hotel register was framed on the wall of her cabin and she recognized the signature of someone she knew from July of 1951. We even have a picture of this guest on a raft in the swimming hole with her dog from the forties that is part of the décor of her cabin. It means the world to her. Perhaps as she closes her eyes to sleep at the end of the day, this same guest can remember launching small boats made from the pitch of tree bark on the pond, lighting them on fire and watching as they disappeared down the creek. |
Spring 2008 issue
Riding Down Central Oregon's Volcanoes