March 2019
Alice and Bert Pfeifer stand by one of their cabins in 1943.
The Bow and Arrow Tavern, built in 1937 from balsam logs, was moved on skids to the resort in 1939 and became Cabin 4.
Dave and Pat Evenwoll look back over the memories preserved in the 70th anniversary book for Bert's Cabins at Itasca State Park, printed in 2009. The couple bought the resort in 1990 from Pat's father, Bert Pfeifer, who started it in 1939 with his wife ,Alice. They sold it to the state parks last November, but still live adjacent to the park on Wilderness Drive. (Robin Fish/Enterprise)
Bert’s Cabins sold after nearly 80 years family-owned Evenwolls share memories of living at ‘magical place’
get married. With some help from Wegmann, they bought 40 acres on the road to Squaw Lake (now called Lake Ozawindib) from a pair Last December, a family-owned of brothers named Dallas and Art wilderness resort that had served Savage and converted two unfinvisitors to Itasca State Park for ished cabins on the property into nearly 80 years was sold to the cabins – one for their home, and state parks system. one to rent out. Dave and Pat Evenwoll, owners Initially named Parkview Cabins, of Bert’s Cabins since 1990, recentthe resort soon became Bert’s Cably shared their memories of living ins because visitors to Wegmann’s and working close to the headwastore looking for lodging were told, ters of the Mississippi River, where “Just go to Bert’s.” Pat’s parents, Bert and Alice PfeifChanges came as the resort grew. The couple er, started the resort in 1939. had a daughter, Judy, in 1940. Pat was born in the 1950s. Meantime, Bert added more cabPioneer connection The Pfeifers’ enterprise is closely tied to the ins, including a balsam-wood tavern that he early history of the park. Bert’s great-uncle moved on skids one winter to become Cabin 4. was Theodore Wegmann, a pioneer who home- Electricity, running water, shower and laundry steaded in the area in the late 1800s. By the facilities, modern appliances and telephone 1930s, Wegmann established a store that served service came in between 1950 and 1960. The park visitors, neighbors and workers at nearby family built a swimming pool in 1961, one of conservation corps and Works Progress Admin- the first in northern Minnesota. Being a wilderness resort with a swimming istration camps. pool, instead of on a lake, is one of the things It was while they were working during the summer at Wegmann’s store that Bert met that set Bert’s Cabins apart from other resorts, Alice Lundberg, a one-room school teach- Pat said. er from Detroit Lakes, and they decided to BERT'S CABINS: Page 3
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Inside this issue... 2 Smart home devices that help seniors age in place 4 Here’s a great way to start more houseplants in 2019 5 Art Leap 10 Molten Chocolate Cakes will delight loved ones
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By Robin Fish rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com