Big Boulder Lodge

Big Boulder Lodge is located where the Manitowish River meets Boulder Lake. The Lodge derives its name from its overlook of the landmark boulder, deposited there during the last ice age. Originally the residence of Herb Field, who purchased the turn of the century estate and transformed it in 1939 into a vacation paradise, the lodge was open to all guests but was primarily a Jewish retreat.  

Surrounding forests provided the cedar and pine, while lake and river shores offered up natural stone to build the lodge. Native workmen and Swedish craftsmen with a love for wood made Field’s dream a reality. At it's peak, the resort was large (sleeping as many as 60 guests) , boasting 183 acres and offering guests entertainments from fishing to flying. It was so well-appointed for its time that the big city newspapers of Milwaukee and Chicago did feature write-ups singing the praises of the Lodge and its entertainments, which were varied and many, including fishing, swimming, guided outings, archery, horses, boating, campfires, midnight cookouts and hunting. Indoors, guests were treated to a full bar, dining room and musical get-togethers. The structure you see today was the residence of the Fields family while they ran the resort.  Our neighbor's cottages on both sides of the river made up what once was the entire lodge. Meals were taken a couple of cabins down while the front desk and bar room were located in the structure across the street. 

Boulder lake covers 524 acres with a maximum depth of 23’ and is home to many different kinds of fish such as Musky, Northern Pike Walleye, Large and Small Mouth Bass and Panfish. Boulder Junction is steeped in history from the earliest Native American residents, to the trappers who coveted the luxurious pelts the area yielded. Explorers found easy access because of all the rivers and lakes. Loggers moved in from the late 19th to the early 20th century and tourism began as early as 1905 when wigwams were still visible along the shore across the lake from the Lodge. Presidents and movie stars, as well as Chicago Mob luminaries all found respite on the lakes and in the company of fishing guides including those dispatched out of Big Boulder Lodge.

Big Boulder Lodge was very popular into the late fifties when the Fields moved to Florida where Herb eventually became the mayor of Long Boat Key.  For the next decade the Lodge struggled as times changed until the late sixties when the Fields sold the whole property to developers. The developers split the expansive property up into individual cabins and lots.  This private home, what we like to call Big Boulder Lodge, had two more owners until 2002 when the place was purchased by the Howard family of Chicago. The building was in serious disrepair but was lovingly brought back to it's original splendor by Howard family relatives from Ireland working alongside a local craftsman.  Several years of hard work, love and prayers led to the magical place we have today. Big Boulder Lodge is now ready for it's next century!