Property Record
8139 BIG ST GERMAIN DR
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Musky Inn |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Deer Run Lodge (lodge) |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 132718 |
| Location (Address): | 8139 BIG ST GERMAIN DR |
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| County: | Vilas |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | St. Germain |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 40 |
| Range: | 8 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 16 |
| Quarter Section: | SW |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | SE |
| Year Built: | 1907 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2004 |
| Historic Use: | resort/camp building |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Board and Batten |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | The main lodge of this property was built in 1907. Rising from a fieldstone foundation, the first floor is constructed of vertical log, while the upper level is sheathed with wooden shingles. At least three, modern additions extend from the main block and are covered with T-11 wood siding. One of the cabins and one storage structure are also constructed of vertical log, while the remaining eight cabins have been altered with modern windows and are covered with vertical board or T-11 wood siding. The resort historically known as the Musky Inn was established by Amedee Chabrison in 1906. Chabrison was born in France in 1954 and, after getting his education in local schools he attended the university of Paris where he received his degree in medicine. Instead of becoming a physician, he became a noted chef and came to the United States in 1872. In 1906, he came to Vilas County where he purchased sixty acres along the shores of Big St. Germain Lake. His resort began as a tent camp for hunters and fishermen while the lodge was being built by local Finnish people. Originally the property consisted of only the lodge. Eventually Chabrison added five cabins. The Chabrison family had the resort until the late 1930s. The twin grandsons took out a mortgage to winterize the buildings and they subsequently lost the property. At that point, there were seven other cabins added, as well as three outbuildings including an ice house. After standing vacant for a few years, Mr.Eiman purchased it in the 1940s and added a side-by-side duplex (Units 8 and 9). In the 1950s, he sold the property to the Goetzke's who maintained it into the 1960s until selling first to a family that did not make it through their first season, then to Joe and Ethel Seybold. In 1975, the resort was sold to Alyce (Bonnie) and Lee Weslaski. The property was condoed in 1981. Lee passed away in 1985 and Bonnie sold it to the Browns in 1987. After just six months, Bonnie bought it back and ran it again from 1988 to 1989, selling it to the Bergbowers in 1990. The Bergbowers ran it for two years and it again reverted back to Bonnie and her second husband Melvin Behling. The main lodge continued to run as the Musky Inn Supper Club until 1993 and the restaurant was closed and the resort name was changed to Deer Run Lodge. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Jones and McVean, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vils Counties, 437-438; Joyce Laabs, A Collection of Northwoods Nostalgia,2 vols., 2/103. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |