Courtesy photo|Dick Bockemuehl
This 2010 photo shows Ortner’s Island from the air. The island itself is about an acre in size and is located a couple hundred feet off the north shore of Diamond Lake.
Ortner’s island house one of a kind in county
Buyers scarce for $1.8 million property on Diamond Lake BY DON GRONNING
I
t’s just 200 feet off shore, on the north side of the lake. A small island with a house,
dock, outdoor fireplace and a waterfall. It’s called Ortner’s Island and it can be yours for a mere $1.8 million.
“It’s a unique property,” said Dick Bockemuehl, the realtor selling the place. “It’s going to take a young buyer with resources. I think it will sell to someone outside the area.” Bockemuehl said there are a surprising number of properties in the county 16 Horizon|2012 Fall
priced over a million dollars. But none are located on an island in a lake. Ortner’s Island is owned by Brock and Diane Maslonka of Cusick. They moved here in 1992, buying a ranch from Herb Cordes. Diane Maslonka said the family has completely renovated the inside of the island home that they acquired in 2006. They were originally partners with others who had grand plans for developing the island. Unfortunately, they hadn’t considered all the details, such as getting permits for working on the shoreline. When it became clear the project wasn’t going to be feasible, the Maslonkas became sole owners. Ortner’s Island was originally owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was used by locals as a place for picnics, said Peg Gaylord, who lived on CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Horizon photo|Don Gronning
This outdoor stone fireplace is one of the attractions on the island.