Great for Groups! Corporate Retreats

This property was originally built in the late 60's as a corporate retreat by a gentleman who owned a company that unloaded ships at the docks in Chicago. Over the years he held many parties here and some very important people were in attendance. Rumor has it, he also hired women for entertainment. (I'm not sure I like that part). Some of the old timers in Ely took care of this place and they still talk about those days. People have said there was some mob involvement. I wonder how many bodies are in the lake? The staff here believe the place is haunted. We have seen something in our peripheral vision and heard noises when nobody else is around. We are now quite comfortable with the spirit here. I've only experienced this on the main level in the bar and kitchen.

The company ended up going bankrupt so the property was sold in 1981 at an auction. Those owners had this for 10 years and then sold at another auction in 1991. That owner installed the smoke alarms and the kitchen hoods. He had a loan coming due in 1994 so he sold it at auction to my father. My dad, Frank Udovich, came out to the auction to by tools for another resort, Kawishiwi Lodge, that he owns. He is known for his auction addiction and was heckled in to putting in a bid for the place. After bidding, he walked away up to the garage to look at equipment figuring his bid was too low. Surprise! He got it. He had no idea what he was going to do except eventually build a golf course. There were many bigwigs that didn't come to the auction because they figured it would go for too much. After the auction, they called our house over and over. I was 21 at the time and some of the callers were very rude and the calls would've been considered harrassment.

Forward to 2009, we finally openend to the public renting out the rooms and opening the bar & restaurant and also hosting various weddings and other events

The original architecture and decor has all been maintained. As you walk in the front door, you are greeted by Austrain carvings that continue throughout the main level. The carvings all have special meaning for love, good times, family and health.We have kept the original carpeting throughout and the original bathroom tile and fixtures. The bedrooms have red carpeting which is a throwback to the bordello theme that seemed to go with the old parties.

There is also a rock foundation from an old homestead on the property. We have photos from the original owners in the early 1900s that have teepees for the Native Americans that were here.