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- THE ONG'S CABIN -

The Cottage as it sits today on the Museum's Main Campus

1914 TOURIST COTTAGE

Built in 1914, this Tourist Cottage is an exceptionally rare and un-altered example of early tourism in Eagle River. Originally located on a homestead near Watersmeet Lake Rd, this cabin was among a series of small, seasonal accommodations that served as a "side business" for the homesteaders. While they toiled in small farm plots, these cottages were offered to travelers who were looking for a desperate escape from the metropolitan centers of Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis to experience the Northwoods at the turn of the last century.


The original owners of the cottage sold the cabin to Fred & Kathryn Longer ("Ong" was a nickname) in 1917 where they vacationed from Chicago every summer until 1972, where it was bequeathed from generation to generation to enjoy, unfortunately ending with the late Max Rockafellow.

COTTAGE COMFORTS

While primitive, the cottage ironically serves the same purpose today as it did over 100 years ago. Every year Eagle River swells with generational tourists and new visitors, all looking for a small slice of the peace and quiet, fresh air, and a slower pace - just like the Longer Family and so many others decades ago. Below are some of the amenities that the Longer's had in their cabin, consider how they have changed or stayed the same:

  • Mid-1930's Magic Chef Gas Stove
  • Aluminum Pots, pans, and Tea Kettles
  • Glass Spice & Cream Jars and Measuring cups
  • Games, cards, and personal pictures.
  • Out House & Water Pail for rinsing
  • Electric Fuse box to power electric irons, toasters, overhead lighting.
Members of the Longer Family enjoying the cabin during WWII.
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM FRONT DOOR
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM BACK WALL
KITCHEN AREA
STOVE & SPICE RACKS
POTS, PANS, & GAMES
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM KITCHEN
WATER PAIL & LUGGAGE STORAGE
FUSE BOX
DELIVERY
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM FRONT DOOR
Cottage Interior
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM BACK WALL
Cottage Interior from Back Wall
KITCHEN AREA
Kitchen Area
STOVE & SPICE RACKS
Mid-1930s Magic Chef Stove & Spice Racks
POTS, PANS, & GAMES
Cooking Utensils & Pots and Pans next to Game shelf on Right
COTTAGE INTERIOR FROM KITCHEN
Cottage Interior from Kitchen
WATER PAIL & LUGGAGE STORAGE
Water Pail for Rinsing in center of image, with luggage storage in rafters above.
FUSE BOX
Fuse Box for Cottage
DELIVERY
Cottage being Delivered

WHY THE TOURIST COTTAGE?

The Historical Society is always seeking ways to educate people about the past and to do so, it takes sometimes moving a literal building to connect people tangibly with our origins. This structure being so unique, un-molested, and authentic to the area's history, it will certainly serve generations going forward by showing the humble beginnings of our now main industry, the people who sought it, and to teach current and future generations that sometimes LESS IS MORE. These structures always are the first to come down across the county as well as our beloved Chain of Lakes, and unfortunately within the coming decades, they may be all but extinct. If this cottage can prevent other historic sites and structures from being destroyed or inspire a revival in similar ones, it will have done its job more than it was ever designed to do.