Stout inherited part of his father’s lumber fortune, moved to Chicago and within a few years was one of the wealthiest men in the country. In 1903, when his company built a special railway station near the island, Frank Stout moved his family and his servants northward from Chicago for the summer months. Modeled after the famous Adirondack camps, the lodge was built with four-inch thick plank floors and carved beams imported from Germany. Cabins were erected for his children and other buildings included a three-launch boathouse, servant and guest quarters, and a recreation hall. In 1912, Stout realized that the original design decision to leave the bark on the logs used for construction of his retreat was a mistake - they had become bug infested - so he imported a trainload of cedar logs from Idaho and rebuilt the entire complex as you see it today. In all, it is documented that he spent over $1.5 million - in 1915 dollars - to create his island sanctuary. Over the years Stout also purchased acreage on the mainland and built the Big Farm and the Tagalong Golf Course which was modeled after the St. Andrews course in Scotland and is still available for play. We invite you to experience the history, comfort, and charm of this remarkable facility. Stout’s Island Lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
