Cut Foot Sioux Inn History

Cut Foot Sioux Inn - History

Over 200 years ago the Chippewa Indians (Ojibways) were gradually driving the Sioux Indians south and westward out of the northern part of what is now know as the state of Minnesota. The territory around Leech, Cass, Winnibigoshish and Bowstring lakes was at the time considered ideal Indian country, rich in game of every sort, fur and wild rice. The land was covered by both the Sioux and Chippewa.

Here the Sioux endeavored to make their last stand and hold this land of plenty. In approximately 1748, they organized three parties, each one taking a different route to repulse the oncoming Chippewa. One of three war parties heading north via Lake Winnibigoshish toward Bowstring Lake came into contact with a Chippewa war party coming from the north via the Big Fork River at the point called "Kees-ke-sid-day-bawhn", or Cut Foot Sioux Lake.

In the summer of 1892, Mr. Fairbanks started a trading post to the south shore of First River, this is presently know as the Cut Foot Sioux Inn. There was no bride at this time and Fairbanks used a log raft to transport supplies across the river. Mr. Fairbanks operated quite a large general merchandise store as there were many white and indian laborers working on the construction of the Winnibigoshish dam, which was completed in 1900.

George Perry established the Cut Foot Bridge Inn in 1916 as a resort. Mr. Perry sold the resort to Herb Bowen and his son-in-law Albert Christie in 1918. Christie operated the resort, while Bowen built Eagle's Nest Lodge. In 1928 Mr. Fred Willman purchased the Cut Foot Bridge Inn. Mr Willman operated the resort for 20 years, changing the name to Cut Foot Sioux Inn. There were five cabins at this time. John and Lena Majerus bought the resort in 1948. Mr. Majerus built the present living quarters and lodge in 1952. In 1961, brothers Winton and Kermit Larson became the new owners of Cut Foot Sioux Inn. There were 10 cabins available to rent at the time. In the seven years they were here, they removed some of the old cabins and rebuilt them. In 1968, with 11 cabins to rent, the resort was sold to Kenny and Arvilla Clay. The Clays finished replacing the wood burning stoves with gas heaters. They also installed the current plumbing system and running water. In 1976, Marvin and Dori Stanek purchased the resort from the Clays, where they raised their children. The Staneks added the remaining cabins bringing the total to 14. In 1992, the Staneks sold the resort to Bob and Ruth Mohrman who ran the resort for 13 years. In 2004, the Mohrmans sold the resort to the current owners, Rick and Janet Moe.