Outing Area Chamber of Commerce
Outing History
The origin of the "Narrows", "Outing", "Crooked Lake" & "Roosevelt" names.
Local History from other sites: Not being one to reinvent-the-wheel when it isn't necessary, we have received permission from other sites to share their history pages. Source: Kirk @ Land O' Lakes Marine in Outing: www.landolakesmarine.net/Outing%20History.htm
(Click each heading box to open and collapse.)
INFORMATION FROM THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Crooked Lake Township took this name from its Crooked Lake, half of which extends into Crow Wing County. It is a translation of the aboriginal name Wewagigumag sagaiigun. By a resolution of the state legislature, March 6, 1919, this lake was renamed Lake Roosevelt in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, who two months previously, on January 6, died at his home in Oyster Bay, N.Y.
Lakes George and Washburn, Lawrence, Leavitt, and Morrison, in Crooked Lake and Beulah Townships, also the Washburn Brook, were named for lumbermen who formerly cut pine logs in these originally well-forested townships.
Outing, a village in Emily Township, section 4, on the southeastern shore of Crooked Lake, was platted on November 14, 1908, and registered on January 2, 1909, by William H. Andrews as a place for "outings" or short visits of city people and sportsmen in summer.
The Outing US Post Office located in Crooked Lake Township, section 27, since 1936; was originally located in Crow Wing County, 1908-36, at which time it transferred to Cass County. Crooked Lake Township had developed as a summer resort area with a general store and hotel.
THE FIRST OUTING BUSINESS
C.B. Meachum had the first store in Outing (originally known as The Narrows), about 1926, just a tar paper shack type, at the site where Unity Bank and Just up North are now located, (The old Lakeview Grocery building.)
Then Henry J. Luscher built the store on the other side of the street, known as the Narrows Trading Post in 1926, ran it and lived in back of the store. They moved up on top of the hill by where the US Post Office used to be with the steep cement steps in 1930. Andy Andolshek bought the store in 1948 and later sold it to Kurt Hoffman and his brother. It burned down in the middle 1960's, along with the Dairy Queen that Kurt had added. The grocery store was rebuilt by the Hoffman's and is currently a grocery store.
SIGNS FROM BUSINESSES THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
OUTING/NARROWS STORIES FROM DAYS GONE BY
The Cass County Sno Patrol, Outing Branch
Jeannette Fairbanks' father (Jerry Berry, Sr.) was also president of the Sno Patrol in Outing, back when snowmobiles were first coming out and several of people, including Jeannette, were deputized to be on the Sno Patrol. They would just check cabins, etc. when they were out riding, no charge, just neighbors helping each other out. She said "It was some fun times when we just enjoyed going out in the woods for a ride and peacefulness when the machines were shut off. Always so beautiful especially just after a heavy snowfall."
This is a letter written by Bill Jackman (date unknown, believed to be around 2001) about the cabin shore & Post Office shown in the photos shown below. (Printed with Bill's permission.)Hi From Natures Wilderness:
Dean, I don’t know how old you are, I’m retired, been retired since 1991, been living up here since that time. I am 71 now. I was talking to Vern Underdahl the other day. He told me, you’re in the process of bringing the cabin down at the shore back to its original shape.
How well I remember that cabin, if I recall right my parents and aunt and uncle first rented that cabin before World War II, I’d guess in 1941. I would have been 10 at the time. I can well remember my aunt kept her candy out of reach from us kids, my sister, my cousin and I can remember sleeping in the top bunk bed, course my parents and aunt and uncle stayed up late to play cards every night. Sleeping up in the top bunk, had its benefits. There was a reflection of light on the ceiling. Looking over the top of the wall you looked down on the eating area. Course also just on the other side of the wall
were the top of the cupboards. Course on the top of those cupboards is where my aunt had her candy stacked. Funny how fast that candy disappeared. My aunt never said a word, suppose maybe she figured her husband was eating most of it.
Can well remember also roasting marshmallows over an open fire outside the cabin and an owl hooting as we set by the fire. Can still remember after the week was over packing up to head out, walking up those paths to the top of the hill, can’t remember, but think there was make shift steps. Was common in those days, still is. Well my dad had false teeth and lost them somewhere on the way of packing out. Think your dads name was Irv Nordahl, if I recall right. Anyway, once we got home, your parents called seems their dog had found the teeth on the path to the top of the hill. Seems the dog came up the hill with them in its mouth, they mailed the teeth back to the cities.My parents, again, rented the cabin in August of 1944, during World War II, this time sharing the rent with Christ and Adeline Ringstad, they were good friends for many years. In 1946, the Ringsteads built their retirement house on Sunset Hill Road, my dad, helped Christ build some of it. This copy of the photo is dated on the back August 30, 1944. The house is stucco and is still there just south of Lenny and Jill Fairbanks.
So why did Christ and Adeline decide to move up there? It reminded Christ so much of his homeland of Norway, he found his surroundings in Outing just the way he wanted them
The post office in the picture is the one that was in Outing in 1944. It ended up across the road from the Village Inn down on the shore of the lake. Cross the highway but not far from where they shoot the fireworks off now. I think it’s been torn down now and a new lake home in its spot.
The school house that once was the school house for Outing, I’ve heard it is just south of Emily, on the east side of Hwy 6 behind the cyclone fence that’s where the old cars are resting. The brown plastic webbed fence.
Riley’s Motor Inn, across Highway 6 from Vern’s Café, where the boat dock is – across from the present gas station. That was there in the early 40’s, course right on the into the early 50’s at least, must be a 50-51 or 52 Lincoln in front of it. Tromley house, Truman stayed there when he was a senator. The way it’s been explained to me the Tromley house is on top of the hill long side of Land o Lakes Marine. The reddish log house on top of the hill.
I know there have been questions if Roosevelt ever stayed at the Woods Lodge. About 8 years ago I interviewed the lady that cleaned the Lodge for Senator Woods, she told me Roosevelt stayed at the Lodge many times. Like many I interviewed, she helped me piece together a lot of the history of the area.
I can’t climb hills anymore, haven’t been by the cabin on the shore. Kirk at Land o Lakes Marine is going to get me a boat ride down the shore before winter sets in. Going to be gone for couple of weeks, but memories are best to get out before it’s too late. I’ve done a lot of writing for the county and different areas.
Bill Jackman
Outing Post Office, Circa 1944
Cabin Shore, Circa 1944
An Outing Cabin and Outing Post Office Circa 1944.
PHOTOS OF OUTING WHEN IT WAS KNOWN AS THE "NARROWS"
LAKEVIEW GROCERY
The Lakeview Grocery around 1965 in Outing, MN.
NARROWS COMMUNITY CHURCH
The first Church in the area (when Outing was called the Narrows.) The first two couples married, in 1955, were Barbara & Howard Dutton and Jeannette & Chuck Fairbanks.
SEAPLANE AIRPORT
Not everyone knows that Gussies Place in Outing had a SEAPLANE AIRPORT. This photo was provided by Chuck & Jeannette Fairbanks. Gussie had a plane that Gene O'Brien used to fly for him.
Jeannette Fairbanks (mother of Lenny Fairbanks, Vice-President of the Outing Chamber of Commerce) wrote that her husband, Chuck Fairbanks and the kids in his day would go to Gussies Place in Outing and they would watch movies that Gussie would play for them. Gussies Place was right where the Bridge Cafe, Seasons & Pestello's is located (now called "The Narrows"), appropriately names she thought. There used to be some fun dances and the place would be packed back in the 50s, her Dad (Jerry Berry, Sr.) also played drums, he and a few other people had a band together and would play for the dances.
RED OWL
The Lakeview Grocery before 1965?
RILEYS MOTOR INN
This photo was located where the Outing Public Dock now is. It was moved in the '50s across the road to where Vern Underdahl's Cafe was (immediately to the south of Roosevelt Station). It was moved by Jerry Berry, Sr. (who was also the first President of the Chamber of Commerce) to make room for the a 'new' bridge, which wasn't built until 1995. Part of the building still exists as Vern's garage.)
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THE GREAT WOOD'S BAY MYSTERY
Everyone knows of Wood's Bay (aka Woods Bay)...which was a great spot for skinny dipping & was a boater's version of lover's lane. We've all heard the stories of Senator Wood who had Teddy Roosevelt visit him in his Hunting Lodge several times.
But, what do we know about the Senator himself?
First, he was a Minnesota State Senator, not a US Senator. That is clear...there has never been a US Senator from Minnesota named Wood. But, there were THREE Minnesota State Senators with that name.
A search of the Minnesota Senate & Minnesota Historical Society identified these candidates.
Lorenzo G. Wood
Senate 1891-94 (District 52)
Counties Served: Marshall
City of Residence when first elected: Warren
Date of Birth: 1823
George W. Wood
Senate 1887-90 (District 20)
City of Residence when first elected: Faribault Counties Served: Rice
Date of Birth: 1842
Date(s) of death (several George W’s were found): 09/20/1919 in St. Louis County (George Warren), 11/02/1927 in Olmsted County (George Washington), 11/02/1927 in Otter Tail County (George Washington), 06/24/1943 in Rice County (George Wood)
Elisha B. Wood
Senate 1903-06 (District 53)
Counties Served: Todd
City of Residence when first elected: Long Prairie
Date of Birth: 1846
Date of Death: 01/13/1928 in Todd County
PHOTOS/HISTORY OF MODERN DAY OUTING (AKA: Crooked Lake Township)
November 16, 2007 - Outing gets Two New Storm Sirens
Two local Teenagers (Jamie Prax and Sarah Fairbanks) succeeded in upgrading the emergency storm siren system.
