For more than a century, Lakewoods Resort on Lake Namakagon has welcomed generations of travelers looking to experience the wild beauty and warm hospitality that define the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Below is a look at how one family-run lodge grew from a humble lakeside outpost into one of the signature Lake Namakagon Resorts!
A Lakeside Dream Begins in the Wisconsin Northwoods
The Lakewoods Resort’s legacy started in 1906 when 19-year-old Anna Nemec purchased a quiet parcel on Lake Namakagon. Originally serving private guests of her employer, Judge McLaughlin, Anna saw the broader potential and, by 1907, opened the doors of Lakewoods Resort to the public. She ran this hidden treasure inside the Wisconsin Northwoods with her sister, Mary Gallop. Guests would often arrive by train and were transported by horse and buggy to Lakewoods Resort.
Becoming the First Four-Season Resort in the Cable Area
In 1947, Hans and Gladys Rasmussen, the daughter and son-in-law of Anna’s husband, purchased Lakewoods Resort and set out to transform it into a year-round destination in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Over time, they expanded the property by building cottages and apartments until the resort boasted 35 units. Recognizing the growing popularity of skiing in the 1950s, Lakewoods became the first resort in the area to accommodate winter guests. Back then, many skiers arrived in Cable by train and were driven by car to the resort, where they could enjoy the snowy landscape as well as the warm hospitality that continues to draw visitors in every season.
Our Lake Namakagon Resort Survived Two Fires
On July 31, 1946, lightning struck a power line leading to the lodge, sparking a fire that destroyed the original lodge and hotel. Decades later, another devastating fire consumed the main lodge and 15 motel rooms, reducing much of the historic property and countless cherished memories to ashes. In the face of such loss, the outpouring of support from residents of surrounding communities was a powerful reminder of how much Lakewoods Resort meant to so many people.
Committed to rebuilding, the Rasmussen family, with Bob Rasmussen serving as a general contractor, began constructing the present lodge in the fall of 1985. By April 1986, thanks to the hard work of the family and the generosity of neighbors, Lakewoods Resort rose again, ready to welcome guests and honor its legacy in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
Why Our Story Matters to Your Wisconsin Northwoods Getaway
- Four-Season Playground: Whether you’re chasing muskies, cross-country-skiing the Birkie trails, or playing forest-lined golf fairways, Lakewoods puts the best of Bayfield County at your cabin doorstep.
- Legacy You Can Feel: Every dining-room beam, vintage photo, and lakeshore campfire ring tells a chapter of Wisconsin Northwoods history you won’t find at newer properties.