East Silent Lake Resort
DENT — The Leonard Family, owners of East Silent Lake Resort, will celebrate the resort’s centennial this summer. They’ll be taking time to celebrate the anniversary with their many business partners, area residents and previous owners, as well as hundreds of past and present guests.
“This is a remarkable milestone,” Nick Leonard, owner and vice president said. “East Silent Resort has a storied history and it is a privilege to be here for its 100th anniversary.”
East Silent Resort was established in 1915, but its story begins years before that with a pastor. Charles Frederick Bublitz began his active ministry in 1888, preaching in German. Ordained in 1893, he served in pastorates in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Upon deciding that he wanted to provide a summer resort where his family could make some memories and host friends, he purchased East Silent Resort in 1915. His daughter Pearl’s notes describe how he came across the place.“On his way home from a conference in Minneapolis he stopped in Fergus Falls at a land company that showed him the place,” Pearl said. “Dad was familiar with this part of the country because he had lived in Bertha where he had a church, and had served so many other churches in the area.”
To celebrate the milestone, the Leonards have organized many special events and novelties. “We tried to identify opportunities to thank our many loyal guests and business partners,” Leonard said.
To kick off the celebration, they are promoting a 100th Anniversary Lodging Special throughout the month of May. Titled “$100 for 100 Years,” the special offers 50 percent off lodging for new and past guests. They’ve also produced commemorative clothing and merchandise, and they are hosting a series of medallion hunts each week during the summer.
Other events include an educational event by Chris Schuelke and the Otter Tail County Historical Society. The presentation and social will focus on the history of resorts and camps in Otter Tail County.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate the resort and tourism industry in Otter Tail County,” Leonard said.
At one time, Otter Tail County boasted 150 resorts, the second highest in Minnesota. In the past 30 years, though, the area has experienced a 44 percent decline in the number of resorts from 126 to 70. Otter Tail County has gone from second to fourth in the total number of resorts by county.
“We hope our centennial will remind stakeholders how important it is for us to preserve this timeless tradition,” Leonard said.
The Leonard’s hope to bookend their 100th year with a ground breaking.
“We don’t have many details yet,” Leonard said. “However we are very optimistic that we will break ground on our new lodge and restaurant.”
The new lodge promises to be a special amenity for both resort guests and local residents alike. In addition to guest services, the new lodge will feature an indoor pool, recreational areas, space for special events and banquets, as well as a small eatery.
“It will be a multi-phase project, but we are eager to get started,” Leonard said.
The new lodge and restaurant is a necessary amenity for the growing resort. Last year, East Silent Lake Resort became the first property in West Central Minnesota to offer fractional ownership.
“We are committed to preserving the family resort experience for generations to come,” Leonard said. “However, this is a new era of resort management and lake home ownership.”
Designed with today’s fast-paced society in mind, fractional ownership is tailored for busy people, according to Alan Olson, Century 21 Vista broker.
“Families value their time and don’t want to spend it mowing grass or putting in docks,” Olson said. “The proof is in the pudding.”
Despite being a new concept in this region, the fractional ownership shares at East Silent Lake Resort are nearly sold out.
Reported: Fergus Falls Journal
“This is a remarkable milestone,” Nick Leonard, owner and vice president said. “East Silent Resort has a storied history and it is a privilege to be here for its 100th anniversary.”
East Silent Resort was established in 1915, but its story begins years before that with a pastor. Charles Frederick Bublitz began his active ministry in 1888, preaching in German. Ordained in 1893, he served in pastorates in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Upon deciding that he wanted to provide a summer resort where his family could make some memories and host friends, he purchased East Silent Resort in 1915. His daughter Pearl’s notes describe how he came across the place.“On his way home from a conference in Minneapolis he stopped in Fergus Falls at a land company that showed him the place,” Pearl said. “Dad was familiar with this part of the country because he had lived in Bertha where he had a church, and had served so many other churches in the area.”
To celebrate the milestone, the Leonards have organized many special events and novelties. “We tried to identify opportunities to thank our many loyal guests and business partners,” Leonard said.
To kick off the celebration, they are promoting a 100th Anniversary Lodging Special throughout the month of May. Titled “$100 for 100 Years,” the special offers 50 percent off lodging for new and past guests. They’ve also produced commemorative clothing and merchandise, and they are hosting a series of medallion hunts each week during the summer.
Other events include an educational event by Chris Schuelke and the Otter Tail County Historical Society. The presentation and social will focus on the history of resorts and camps in Otter Tail County.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate the resort and tourism industry in Otter Tail County,” Leonard said.
At one time, Otter Tail County boasted 150 resorts, the second highest in Minnesota. In the past 30 years, though, the area has experienced a 44 percent decline in the number of resorts from 126 to 70. Otter Tail County has gone from second to fourth in the total number of resorts by county.
“We hope our centennial will remind stakeholders how important it is for us to preserve this timeless tradition,” Leonard said.
The Leonard’s hope to bookend their 100th year with a ground breaking.
“We don’t have many details yet,” Leonard said. “However we are very optimistic that we will break ground on our new lodge and restaurant.”
The new lodge promises to be a special amenity for both resort guests and local residents alike. In addition to guest services, the new lodge will feature an indoor pool, recreational areas, space for special events and banquets, as well as a small eatery.
“It will be a multi-phase project, but we are eager to get started,” Leonard said.
The new lodge and restaurant is a necessary amenity for the growing resort. Last year, East Silent Lake Resort became the first property in West Central Minnesota to offer fractional ownership.
“We are committed to preserving the family resort experience for generations to come,” Leonard said. “However, this is a new era of resort management and lake home ownership.”
Designed with today’s fast-paced society in mind, fractional ownership is tailored for busy people, according to Alan Olson, Century 21 Vista broker.
“Families value their time and don’t want to spend it mowing grass or putting in docks,” Olson said. “The proof is in the pudding.”
Despite being a new concept in this region, the fractional ownership shares at East Silent Lake Resort are nearly sold out.
Reported: Fergus Falls Journal
