History of Crosslake, Minnesota

The Historical View on Crosslake, Minnesota ...

Have you ever wndered, how has Crosslake became Crosslake? The following is just a little history about the Whitefish Chain! As we begin, the Native Americans first cared for and lived off the land. The most prominent Native American tribes in the Crosslake area were the Sioux and the Ojibwa. These tribes battled at one point on the shores of Crosslake! As people began to settle in the area, negotiations were made by the United States government to purchase the land because it had a natural reservoir. In 1836 Congress appropriated funds to start the Pine River Dam (near the Crosslake campground), which was completed by 1886. At this time, the sole industry was logging. The "Chain of Lakes" was created in order to move the heavy lumber from one destination to the next, eventually moving the lumber by train to areas like Chicago and St. Louis. In this area logging continued from the early 1870's until 1912. Before the dam was built, the lakes were not interconnected. The first businessman to establish a resort-like business was Ami Gould. Mr. Gould operated a logger's road ranch in the Watertown Township (Crosslake), thirty years later, Rufus Heath built his homestead on what is now County Road 15. The Heaths lived in their home until 1928. The original building now stands in the Logger's Camp of the Historical Society. Another family, the Ostlunds, came to the Whitefish Chain area in 1892. As the local population changed from loggers to regular families, the landscape followed as well. A school was built, followed by a town hall, a store (The Crosslake Store), and a Post Office. Resorts grew out of logging camps, and became a place of refuge for city-dwellers. Today the Whitefish Chain continues to flourish as a tourist haven. The Crosslake of today has an elementary school, several flourishing churches, numerous banks, several restaurants and shops and a busy community center. City sewer will be installed within the next two years, and a town square was built in 2002. Instead of moving logs, the "Chain of Lakes" now moves people! Boaters and fishermen spend hours on the Whitefish Chain of lakes in the summer, while snowmobilers and cross-country skiers enjoy its snow in the winter. The lakes along the chain are: Arrowhead, Bertha, Big Trout, Clamshell, Cross, Daggett, Island, Little Pine, Loon, Lower Hay, Lower Whitefish, Middle Whitefish, Pig, Rush, and Upper Whitefish. Trout and Whitefish are the deepest lakes, hitting bottom at around 130 feet.
Fish are plentyful on the Whitefish Chain. Panfish (Crappie, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed) are plentiful in all seasons. Largemouth Bass are found throughout the lakes, but are more likely to be caught on the smaller lakes, in weedy areas. Another deep weed dweller is the Northern Pike, which is caught along the Whitefish Chain year-round. Finally, the best of all Minnesota fish, the Walleye, is sought after by fishermen in the early spring when spawning occurs near the Pine River inlet on Upper Whitefish Lake. In the fall, anglers have better luck on Crosslake and Lower Whitefish, in 20-65 feet of water. From Indian battles, to logging camps, to resorts , the Whitefish Chain has seen many changes. The lakes once supported life out of necessity; now they supply visitors with the joy of quietly sitting amongst pines and water, waiting for a bite. It remains lovely and pristine, a retreat for city-folk and their families, as well as the fortunate residents who call the lakes area home.