Gunflint Lodge Celebrates 100 Years with the Grand Opening of the Northern Lights Lodge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
John Fredrikson
Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters
Phone: (612) 810-2108

Email: john@gunflint.com
Website: gunflint.com

Gunflint Lodge Celebrates 100 Years on the Gunflint Trail with the Grand Opening of the Northern Lights Lodge

Gunflint Trail, MN – January 13, 2025 – Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters is thrilled to announce a milestone event: the celebration of its Centennial anniversary and the grand opening of the new Northern Lights Lodge. The festivities will take place on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at Gunflint Lodge, located along the historic Gunflint Trail.

Founded by Russell and Dora Blankenburg as a seasonal fishing camp in 1925, then run by Mae and George Spunner and the Kerfoot family beginning in 1927, for 100 years, Gunflint Lodge has been a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and those seeking the tranquility of the Northwoods.

In 1927, Justine Spunner, a 21-year-old pre-med student at Northwestern University in Chicago, and already a woman ahead of her time, embarked on her first canoe trip. Navigating the Granite River to Saganaga Lake with a college friend and a guide, Justine would soon become a pioneer of the Minnesota Northwoods. The Spunners purchased the property at the end of the Gunflint Trail, which included a small lodge building with a store that supplied goods to the local Ojibwe neighbors and offered fishing tackle for guests. The lodge also featured a dining room, three log guest cabins, an owner’s cabin, and a small staff cabin. The property lacked indoor plumbing, electric service, and telephone connectivity.

After the stock market crash in 1929 and the ensuing Depression, the Spunners lost their family home in Illinois and moved permanently to Gunflint Lodge. In 1933 Bill Kerfoot, son of the president of Hamline University, arrived on the Gunflint Trail. The Depression had cut short his plans of a career in the foreign service. Bill camped on the sand beach at the west end of Gunflint Lake. Justine hired him on as a guide for room and board. In September 1934, Bill and Justine were married. In 1935-36 they built themselves a log cabin home. That cabin would be Justine’s home until her death in 2001. In 1939 they welcomed baby boy Bruce, and after that daughters Pat and Sharon.

Bruce grew up on the shores of Gunflint Lake and spent his life here with the exception of four years in the Army and four years at Cornell University, where he studied Hotel Administration. In the 1960s he married Sue, a young lady who attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and worked at the Lodge with a sorority sister in the summer. Bruce bought the resort from his mother and ran the resort and raised his family there until he sold it to John and Mindy Fredrikson in 2016.

The log home that Bill and Justine built burned in 2022, and the new building, named the Northern Lights Lodge was built in its original location. So-named because the Northern Lights Lodge features panoramic windows looking to the north over Gunflint Lake, offering perfect viewing conditions for the Northern Lights. The building features a stunning bar and event venue designed to offer guests a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. The stone that was used in the fireplace in Justine and Bill’s cabin has been worked into the fireplace in the new building, as well as a quote from Justine Kerfoot’s first book, Woman of the Boundary Waters engraved on the white pine mantle.

The grand opening event will include light appetizers and a cash bar, giving attendees a taste of the warm hospitality and culinary delights that Gunflint Lodge is known for.

“We’re honored to celebrate 100 years of Gunflint Lodge with the opening of the Northern Lights Lodge,” said owner John Fredrikson. “This new space is a testament to our commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for our guests, and we’re excited to share this moment with our community and visitors.”

Guests are invited to join the celebration, explore the new venue, and enjoy an evening of camaraderie and reflection on the Lodge’s legacy. The event is open to the public, and no reservations are required.

Event Details:

What: Centennial Anniversary Celebration and Grand Opening of Northern Lights Lodge
When: Friday, January 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters, Gunflint Trail, MN
Details: Light appetizers and cash bar available in the new bar and event venue

Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters has been a cornerstone of the Gunflint Trail community since its establishment in 1925, offering unparalleled access to the natural beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and beyond. The addition of the Northern Lights Lodge underscores its dedication to enhancing guest experiences while honoring its rich history.

Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters will be adding additional events throughout our Centennial Year to commemorate this milestone anniversary. For more information about this and other events and about Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters, please contact John Fredrikson at john@gunflint.com or visit gunflint.com or follow us on Facebook at Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters.

About Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
Founded in 1925, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters is one of Minnesota’s premier wilderness resorts, offering year-round lodging, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable experiences in the heart of the Northwoods. From guided canoe trips to cozy cabins, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters is dedicated to connecting guests with the beauty and serenity of nature.

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