Our rich tradition in Crosslake MN began as a vision over a half century ago. It was 1934 in Minnesota's lake country, a time when the distant howling of the wolves would frequent the evening twilight, when towering stands of pines stood untouched as they had for centuries, and when the rugged and natural beauty of the northwoods, the crystalline lakes and the bountiful fishing attracted only the most adventuresome. 

Lynn Boyd had the calling of the north, a calling that compelled him to not only live here, but to enhance its beauty and share it with those who were to follow. And follow they did. Initially, Lynn and Ceil Boyd provided lodging to those wanting to fish the abundant waters of Whitefish Lake. But as visitors began to discover that Boyd's was more than a fishing lodge, their numbers began to increase, as did the demand for lodging facilities. Families began to come, seeking not only exceptional fishing, but also a place to relax and enjoy a family vacation.

Year after year they return to enjoy the beauty of Whitefish Lake, and the friendly, hospitable family atmosphere that has long been the Boyd tradition.

Ever since his youth, Lynn Boyd dreamed of moving north and starting a Minnesota resort. Frustrated with his life on the farm and without much support from his family, he continued to pursue his dream and made many trips north looking for the right spot on the right lake. Arriving at Whitefish lake, he cut his way down to the shore where the resort now stands and decided to begin fulfilling his dream here. In 1934, he bought 200 feet of lakeshore from the railroad and began building his first cabin while living in a tent. He then returned to the Twin Cities and married Ceil Flaherty in 1935, and the two moved up here together. During the next couple years they erected several cabins and when they had completed cabin #4, in which he had built a fireplace, they moved in.  It became their first home, lodge and candy store.

I, Nancy, was born in 1938, their only child, and soon became acquainted with resorting and the quiet solitude of the woods. By the late 1930's Lynn had built his fledgling business to eight cabins and decided he needed a larger home and store to accommodate his family and guests. Working side by side, Lynn and Ceil, began building the present lodge and store in the spring of 1940. The exact location of the lodge was influenced by the beautiful clump of birch trees to the south of the store. The north half of the present store served as our kitchen for many years. We had an oil burner in the kitchen and another one on the reverse side of the wall in the lodge room. The oil burners and the fireplace were all we had for heat. In the winter months the nail heads would turn white with frost.

In the early years, the resort was mainly a fishing resort but it didn't take long until families started coming to enjoy the beautiful sandy beach. Ceil was an excellent cook; and always served meals out of her small kitchen to the fisherman. Every winter we cut our own ice from the lake and packed it in sawdust for storage throughout the summer. Ice cutting was something like harvest time on a farm- everyone worked together. In the late 40's and early 50's we had a mink farm in the area of our present tennis courts. In May 1956, our garage and the apartment above it (the penthouse as we called it) was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Many treasures were lost including a 1929 Model A which had belonged to my grandfather.

The porch off the lodge was screened in until 1970 when we enclosed it for a card playing room but eventually the gift shop took over. Orange shellac was used on the walls and ceiling to match as closely as possible the pine in the lodge room. What is presently the library, was then a bedroom as was the small t-shirt room across from it. There were two bedrooms upstairs but no bathroom. An outdoor bathroom was all we ever knew at that time, and without running water, baths were taken in a washtub. After many years of happiness, my mother became ill, and in 1951 she passed away. My father and I ran the resort until 1956 when I went away to college, In 1954 we built a huge two story addition onto the lodge (a dining room to serve guests, 2 bathrooms, 5 bedrooms and a full basement). This was truly a wonderful addition as we hadn't had indoor plumbing or hot and cold running water until then.

In 1966 my father and step-mother Dorothy were killed in a car accident outside Pequot Lakes. Roger and I had to make a major decision at that time. We moved up to Boyd Lodge and took over the resort in the spring of 1967. We had 2 children at the time, a 1 1/2 year old daughter and 3 1/2 year old son. It was a labor of love and a dream we wanted to continue for my father and mother. Roger and I have operated Boyd Lodge for over 30 years now. During that time we have built two additions to the lodge. The family room, dining room and office were added in 1979 -- much needed space as we had one more son and 2 foster children. We always had lots of room to sleep people but not enough room to live in. The swimming pool was added in 1969 and the tennis courts in 1976. Both have been tremendous assets to the resort extending our shoulder seasons in spring and fall. In 1990 we added a new kitchen, a dining room, winter lobby/check-in, and laundry room to do resort laundry.

In 1983 we started our townhouse project (loft cabins). They are all individual, two story, log sided, loft cabins built by Jim Cotton Construction. Ten of the townhouses are 3 bedroom 2 bath, one is four bedroom 3 bath and six are 5 bedroom and 3 bath.

We have loved Boyd Lodge and are grateful for the many wonderful years, good memories, and happy times that we have shared with guests, good friends, and family. 

Boyd Lodge · 36653 Silver Peak Road · Crosslake, MN 56442
218-543-4125 or 800-450-2693 · Fax: 218-543-6108
©2007 Boyd Lodge