The Glory Days of Lake Ripley's Grand Lodges

by Tristan McGough
Special to the Lakes Edition

Resorts of the past that were scattered along Lake Ripley's shoreline have a history stretching back to the late nineteenth century. However, the era of the grand lodges had its heyday from the 1920s to the 1970s. During that period, visitors from bigger cities -such as Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Rockford- found their way to this lovely bastions of nature abounding throughout Wisconsin,

(Photo courtesy of Lake Ripley Lodge) 

and particularly in the south-central part of the state that was conveniently accessible to these regional travelers looking for a vacation getaway. The grand lodges of Lake Ripley catered to the recreational comfort of guests who sought high relief from rat-race pursuit of the "american dream." 

Shore Place Resort offered a gorgeous lakeside view with home-cooked meals and fine dining. It had an on ice cream shop featuring fountain drinks and burgers, a boating facility for rentals, as well as a companion marina. South Shore Place was also renowned for evening dancing and had a lot of talented musicians entertain guests.

Cedar Lodge was an attractive contingent of small cottages some overhanging Lake Ripley where they remained until the construction of Lake Ripley Road. Additionally, there was Johnson's Resort, Wolfrom's Cabins, and Ingelside Resort which had a landscaped flower garden, sundial, grass tennis court, and library with grand piano.

Davidson Resort on the north end of the lake was known for its' charming A-frame cottages. It was also frequented for its' food specialties such as key lime pie and handmade dinner rolls that melted in your mouth even without butter.

On the west shore of the lake was Lindenhurst. There was additionally Hi-Lee cottages.

The southeastern shore of Lake Ripley featured a later addition to the resort community, the Swiss themed, Alpine Village which opened in the early 1950s. 

But in the 21st century vacation homes and residences occupy most of the lake shore. Gone are the grand lodges that once graced Lake Ripley's shoreline, all except one, the Lake Ripley Lodge remain. Built in the early 1900s, this gem of a resort has gone through a few owners and incarnations, but still remains much as it did when President Coolidge's VP, Charles Dawes spent many summers there with his family. In the 1940s and 50s the resort was known as Maple Villa under the ownership of the Schmidt family, and later as the Women's Reducing Spa in the 1960s. 

Today, the Lake Ripley Lodge is a much needed retreat from Zoom meetings and COVID-19. It's a place of solitude and relaxation, where you can sit back and enjoy the view of Lake Ripley while social distancing on their porch.