History of Grand View Lodge: A Favorite Minnesota Resort Destination
Grand View Lodge, owned by the Cote Family, is a beloved Minnesota resort offering extraordinary experiences for families and people of all ages. Nestled among the lush forests and pristine shores of Gull Lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area, its rich history dates back to the late 1800s.
In the Beginning: A Small Camp on Lake Hubert
To understand the origins of Grand View Lodge and the Cote Family, let's go back to the summer of 1909 on the quiet shores of Lake Hubert. Remote and untamed, the region's pine forests and clear waters became a haven for those seeking the restorative power of nature.
This is where education reformer William Blake founded Blake Camp, creating a rustic place where young people could step away from the classroom and learn in the great outdoors.
Arrival of Brownie Cote: New Era of Leadership
At Blake Camp, a young counselor named Reynolds Frederick "Brownie" Cote discovered something more. With boundless energy and passion for people, he envisioned a place where childhood could be transformed by laughter, leadership and nature while building character and community. In 1923, he purchased Blake Camp and transformed it into Camp Lake Hubert for Boys. Four years later, he opened Camp Lake Hubert for Girls directly across the lake.
Together, the camps became summer destinations and places of growth and friendship, where laughter echoed across the water and lifetime bonds formed.
Growing the Business: Grand View Lodge, Top Minnesota Resort
As families traveled north to bring their children to camp, Brownie saw an opportunity. Parents needed a place to stay while their kids were away at camp. He believed they deserved their own retreat that reflected the same warmth and authenticity for which the camps had become known. In 1937, the Cote Family acquired Grand View Lodge, a charming log resort perched on the edge of Gull Lake. Brownie bought 320 acres of land--the Main Lodge and all of the shoreline for $85,000--a hefty sum at the time with $1,780 as the average annual income and $4,100 as the average home price.
What began as a comfortable lakeside retreat for camp families soon blossomed into one of Minnesota's favorite resorts. Over the decades, Grand View Lodge transformed from a simple retreat to a full-service, Northwoods luxury destination offering rustic charm, modern amenities, adventurous activities and lasting memories. Families continue to return, passing traditions from one generation to the next.
Selected in 1979 by the National Registry of Historic Places, Grand View's Main Lodge offers one of the most well-preserved examples of early resort log construction in existence today. The Lodge remains a testimony to the Cote Family's continued care for this beautiful space that has brought joy to many.
Through the Years
1896: The William Bergh family moves into the homestead. The 14 members of this Danish family cleared land and built a large log cabin where Grand View's Norway Center, a conference meeting space, is today.
1908: The Bergh family sells their land to H.F. William and Co. for $5,000.
1915: Sheriff Henry Spalding and his wife Isabelle convert the old Bergh log home, reworking the inside and exterior to give the building a more modern frame appearance. This structure becomes the first fishing lodge at Grand View the following year.
1916: Marvin V. Baker, a Minneapolis real-estate developer, purchases the land for $43 per acre from Henry Spalding. Shortly after, Baker files the plat of Gull Lake Park. Lots sell for $10 per foot. The team refurbishes and offers "Horse and Buggy Days," the first known package offered to guests.
1920: Baker thinks big and builds a grand lodge for guests (today's Main Lodge). Instead of merely using it to house prospective buyers, it features a lobby, restaurant, auto shed and large ballroom located on the second floor for music and dancing.
1926: New lodge rooms replace the ballroom and the updated basement becomes the new entertainment area.
1928: Lodge expansion continues.
1937: The Cote Family acquires Grand View Lodge.
1960: The Garden Course opens offering nine holes of leisure golf to encourage family friendly games.
1962: The Cotes buy out the other investors and Grand View Lodge becomes a Cote Family Company asset.
1975: For two decades, the resort is known as Grand View Lodge and Tennis Club, offering guests great facilities and instruction in a wooded paradise. Tennis Magazine names Grand View Lodge one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the United States.
1976: The First Governor's Fishing Opener occurs at Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake. Gov. Wendell Anderson, a hockey player in the 1956 Olympics, attends the opener and sits with Minnesota North Stars goalie Cesare Maniago during the pre-opener fish fry. The largest catch is a nine-pound, five-ounce walleye.
1979: Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Grand View Lodge is selected for the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. The Register is part of a program to support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America's signficant historic and archeological resources.
1990: The Pines Golf Course opens. A championship course in the Brainerd Lakes Area was thought to be far-fetched, yet attracts thousands of golfers per year, creating a boom in the golfing industry in Northern Minnesota.
1996: The Preserve Golf Course opens after the success of The Pines. The 18-hole course gains recognition from Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Golf Digest as one of the best in the United States.
2003: Grand View opens Glacial Waters Spa, offering facials, massages and more.
2009: Gull Lake Conference Center opens, offering wedding and conference guests 25,000 square feet of ballroom space, state-of-the-art technology, breakout rooms and flexible meeting spaces.
2010: Cru Restaurant and Wine Bar opens with a wine cellar of 2,000 bottles and a chef-driven menu.
2014: Grand View Lodge hosts the 67th Annual Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener in collaboration with the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
2016: Grand View is recognized as an historical landmark and celebrates its Centennial, featuring seven restaurants, a world-renowned spa, two championship golf courses and over 200 cabins with a capacity of 1,000 guests.
2019: The boutique North Hotel opens offering 60 beautiful rooms and meeting spaces to accommodate conference guests.
2023: The spa transforms with new amenities including an outdoor hot tub with heated flooring and fireplace, a Himalayan salt room, relaxation areas and a co-ed steam room and sauna. It provides over 50 services, seasonal treatments and luxurious amenities in a tranquil, nature-inspired setting.