The Story of Voss' Birchwood Lodge

Henry August Voss and Ruth LaPorte Voss started the resort in 1908 with 3 cabins. In 1924, they built the main lodge and soon after, a dance hall, bar, and service station were added to the resort. This provided nightly entertainment for the customers who occupied the 19 cabins and 18 hotel room. Fishing guides worked around the clock to satisfy adventure seeking anglers who anxiously waited for Voss’ chef to prepare their “catch of the day”. Gambling was also a favorite pastime of many so during the days of prohibition the main lodge and dance hall were filled with “one-armed bandits”. Dances were held in the bar as well as moving picture shows. Uncle Louie was the entrepreneur who brewed moonshine for Aunt Nan, the “rumrunner”, to transport to various “blind pigs”. Voss’ became a destination for many famous guests as well as a few infamous ones! If Ruthie is around, she can tell you stories of the family’s adventures with the Dillinger gang!

Henry and Ruth ran the resort until 1958 when their children, Audrey and Lloyd, took over. Lloyd added the marina, which is now Greer’s Pier, and converted the dance hall into a soda fountain, tavern and coffee shop. Audrey focused her attention on the cabins and dining room. The main Lodge became a place of refinement and quiet elegance. The antiques that create the decorum, the vintage depression glass drinking goblets and the original artwork bring Voss’ to life.

In 1972, Lloyd left the resort to focus on his own resort, Voss’ Breezy Point and the Marina. Audrey carried on at the main resort until she passed away in 2006 at the age of 94.

The resort is now under the operation of Audrey’s daughter, Ruth and Grandson, Christopher. It consists of 7 cottages and 6 hotel rooms and is open from the end of May through September. The resort is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a piece of Living History in the North Woods. We hope you will enjoy our 100+ years and 4 generations of North Woods hospitality as much as we enjoy providing it!