Lutsen Resort, the oldest resort in Minnesota, was reduced to rubble by a fire on Tuesday morning. The lodge, which was established in 1885, had also faced the same incidents in 1949 and 1951 according to their Facebook post.
The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m., and quickly spread throughout the lodge building. Staff members, who were the only ones on the premises, alerted the authorities and evacuated the area.
Around 8 local volunteer fire departments, along with the Cook County Sheriff’s office, arrived at the scene, but the fire was too fierce to be controlled. The flames consumed the entire building, leaving behind only charred remains and smoke. No one was injured in the fire, but the lodge building was a total loss.
Luten Resort was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering scenic views, cozy rooms, and outdoor activities. It was also a landmark of the North Shore, with its distinctive Edwin Lundie-style architecture and colorful history.
It is located off of Highway 61 on the shores of Lake Superior, and was founded by a Swedish immigrant named Charles Axel Nelson, who came to the area in 1885. He started a fishing camp, and later built a lodge and cabins for visitors. The Lutsen Resort became a family business, and was passed down through four generations of Nelsons, until Campbell bought it in 2018.
