Arrive by ferry and leave the ordinary on shore. The offering of Main Lodge 2 is a rare opportunity to own a private residence within the storied island setting of the National Register-listed Stout's Island Lodge on prestigious Red Cedar Lake in Northwest Wisconsin. Positioned on the first floor of the north side of the historic Main Lodge, with immediate access to the island’s rich amenities, Main Lodge 2 offers a uniquely effortless ownership experience, combining the charm of a bygone era with a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle. Residents enjoy close proximity to the island’s extensive trail system, docks, tennis courts, and shared gathering spaces, all just steps from their door. Main Lodge 2 consists of approximately 456 finished square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom, thoughtfully configured to serve as a private retreat within the larger lodge setting. What sets Main Lodge 2 apart is not simply its footprint, but its provenance. This residence belongs to the legendary Island of Happy Days, the Red Cedar Lake retreat created for Frank Deming Stout and recognized for its architecturally sophisticated Rustic Style design. Historically, the Main Lodge housed members of the Stout family and their guests, and the bulk of the estate dates to 1909–1911, modeled in the spirit of the great Adirondack camps of Upstate New York, where log architecture, fireplaces, and broad rooflines are woven carefully into the natural landscape. Here, ownership feels less like a purchase and more like stewardship. Days begin with a ten-minute ferry crossing and unfold in a car-free setting of shoreline paths, boathouse culture, lake activities, lawns, common gardens, and evenings by the bonfire. Even the bridge to the east island carries its own story, having been gifted to the estate by Andrew Carnegie, a close friend of Frank Stout. With owner use extending into the winter months, Main Lodge 2 is not only a summer escape, but a four-season retreat in one of the region’s most evocative island estates, located approximately two hours from the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and roughly six hours from Chicago. Main Lodge 2 will be delivered with a kitchen installed in a portion of the current bathroom, pursuant to the floorplan, with the improvement budget included in the asking price, offering a turnkey opportunity to tailor the residence to modern living while preserving its historic character.
Listing courtesy of Edward Rupp, Northco Real Estate Services
