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Timber Wolf Lodge (www.timberwolflodge.com) celebrated it's 75th year in 2012. It survived the devastating 2011 fire that destroyed it's historic lodge and owner's quarters. The Ely, MN resort has accomodations that range from 1 to 5BR cabins in the north woods of MN near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

The 3-alarm fire required every nearby fire department to deploy their best but in the end there was complete loss of both the historical log lodge and owner’s quarters. And 48 hours later dental records revealed that the resort owner had perished in the blaze.

“It was a shocking event for the small and closely connected communities of Babbitt and Ely, MN. This place has served this region for 75 years” said Steve Branstrom, the new General Manager of the newly resurrected Timber Wolf Lodge and lifelong resident of the area.

And in March, 2012, Branstrom was able to announce that as part of the resort's 75th Anniversary Celebration he and some partners would resurrect it from the flames and devestation. "As we stepped forward into this massive resurrrection there was a real sense of gratitude from the entire Timber Wolf family - both the staff and our loyal guests."

Located on 2,300 acre Bear Island Lake this 75 acre resort features 12 lakeside cabins, a private beach, lakefront gas station, nature trails, bon fires and a rich history of family vacations. A quick read of the cabin guest books reveals fond memories, exciting adventures and plans to return. But in 2011 any arriving guests were turned away by police lines, sheriffs and fire investigators.

“Yes, the fire happened on a Thursday and that Friday was supposed to be our opening day. Our typical summers include guests from all over the United States. Contacting them was next to impossible because the fire burned every guest record, every computer file, every receipt… everything.”

And according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s report those unsuspecting guests arrived and were turned away. “Well the problem was safety”, says Branstrom. “You have to imagine a big smoldering fire pit the size of a 7,000 square foot lodge. The fire had knocked out our water utility, electricity and just made the place unsafe. So sheriffs were posted at the gate and respectfully explained the situation to bewildered guests.”

“Fortunately area resorts were able to help to place most guests and our friends at the Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce (www.ely.org), were champions in the effort as well.”

So this 75 acre landscape with 75 years of history was put on mothballs for the entirety of 2011.

“What happened next was a whole series of serendipitous situations that just seem heaven-sent. Some local friends introduced me to one of the new owners, who told me that I had been recommended to him. We talked over beers that night and sketched out a plan to at least keep the resort on life support. I would visit daily, manage the clean-up, assist the authorities to complete their investigation and work with area contractors to restore our utilities.”

“Then this winter the partners called a meeting and announced that they were reopening Timber Wolf Lodge for the 2012 season! I was ecstatic. I had been pretty vocal about my belief that we could succeed once again --- like turning ‘beauty from ashes’.”

With an approved budget of $250,000, Branstrom and his team of contractors and laborers set a blistering pace to open this shuttered place. 5 cabins received complete remodels and the remaining cabins received flooring, lighting and other upgrades. “You could feel the momentum as we began to tear into the project.”

A recent tour by local businesses and leaders produced tears of gratitude for the resurrection of Timber Wolf Lodge. Ely Chamber of Commerce Executive Director shared her thoughts, “we commend Steve and the owners for reopening Timber Wolf Lodge, for the faith they have put in our area's strong promotion of tourism and for the community support they have already demonstrated”.

Tourism serves as a huge economic engine in this region. Ely, MN is the gateway to the world-renown Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an untouched sanctuary where motors of any sort are disallowed and where thousands turn for solace and an escape from the rigors of life. Canoeing is just one of dozens of activities that the area features. Mountain bikes, fishing, hunting, nature hikes, geocaching and ATV tours are just a few of the area attractions.

Locals say that annual attractions draw thousands more as the summertime population of Ely swells from 4,000 to tens-of-thousands. The Blueberry Festival and Art Exhibit as well as the Fall Harvest Moon Festival are two of the most successful.

“And when folks arrive from all over the US they sort of have this ideal experience in mind… peaceful shorelines, stellar sunsets, high adventure and a wholesome family atmosphere. Timber Wolf Lodge had been a part of those experiences for 75 years and now I actually believe that we are set for 75 more. I keep telling folks that phrase ‘beauty from ashes’.”

Photos of the resort and remodeled cabins are available on the website at www.timberwolflodge.com.