A Look At The Past

Taken from the newspaper Aug 1955 Cambridge Star: On the neck of the point of Spectacle Lake there is a swamp covering almost 2 acres. Recently, Jim Walburg of St. Paul & Stan Peterson of Mpls. purchased the land...with hopes of having suitable lakeshore a year from now... by pumping muck from the lake to fill the swamp with their homemade dredge.

in 1937, George & Freda Manke bought The Shady Rest Resort, and in 1969 Bob & Carol Manke took over running the resort. Bob & Carol closed their beach, store, and picnic area, after 66 years as Manke's Resort, and several years before that as The Shady Rest Resort. The 7 cabins are gone, and Isanti County no longer has any resorts on Spectacle Lake. Many wonderful memories were made at Manke's that will be forever in the minds of so many who were lucky enough to spend time there.

 Erv & June Barr bought The Pine Beach Resort in 1947, there were 5 cottages, a picnic area, & a pavilion which was built in 1930. Barr's expanded the pavilion, where it was a roller rink during the day, and a dance hall at night with live bands and a bar. Many stories are told of the fun spent at this resort for all ages. It is also said that some people even met their future spouses roller-skating or dancing here.

Buckhorn Resort closed in 2019

One of the earliest cabins on the lake.

Dancing & roller skating fun.

Stan Peterson & Jim Walburg purchased this cabin in 1955. It is located on Cobalt Drive.

Pictured are Jim & Ruth Walburg with "Tootsie" Peterson.

Lake view of the cabin.

Photo taken from the road by the south corner.

Boat was where Stan Peterson's yard was later in 1960 on Cobalt Drive.

Jim Walburg on "The Dredge." Muck was pumped through pipes floating on 2 

55 gallon drums. Muck was used to fill in Cobalt Drive area.

Fun on the dock and pontoon.

1959: Looking toward the boat landing from the Kinney cabin.

1959: Norman Kinney's cabin on the hill. Stan Peterson's cabin is below to the left on this photo.

Picture taken from Point Road/Cobalt Drive looking towards Stan Peterson's lot.

Looking at the dock and lake from Stan" shoreline in 1960.

1954: Dave's cabin sat 2 lots to the left of the boat landing.