From Lodge to Legend – Cragun's Gull Lake Story
For more than 90 years, the Pine Beach area of Gull Lake has evolved from a recreational development site to one of Minnesota's most cherished vacation spots. What began in 1930 as a modest lodge with a handful of rustic cabins has transformed into Cragun's, a beloved resort and golf destination where family traditions live on.
In 1934, Merrill K. Cragun Sr. and his wife, Louise, embarked on a journey by registering the name of Paul Bunyan Inc. Their vision was to cultivate and boost tourism in central Minnesota, with a special focus on the breathtaking Brainerd Lakes region. They achieved remarkable success in this endeavor until their lives were touched by the European Conflict in 1939.
The Paul Bunyan venture ignited Merrill and Louise's passion for resort development, and in 1940, they constructed a handful of cabins at the site. The original lodge took shape in 1945, with the war years posing considerable challenges. Yet, their unwavering determination prevailed, and by the close of 1947, they had realized their vision, boasting a lodge and 12 cabins—one of the first Gull Lake resorts.
Louise Cragun assumed the operational reins of the property, with support from her father-in-law, Virgil Cragun, while Merrill Sr. held a full-time position in the Twin Cities and visited on weekends. The resort's "season" spanned from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and a young Merrill Jr., affectionately known as "Dutch," embarked on his first job at the age of nine—in charge of worms and minnows!
Cragun's experienced steady growth and opened its first dining room in 1948, boasting seating for twenty. In 1949, the first six motel-type units were constructed. In 1957, Merrill K. Jr. assumed the role of manager, and year by year, the property expanded. The outdoor swimming pool opened in 1963. In 1965, Dutch found a partner in his wife, Irma. Together, they made a living at "resorting" by continually reinvesting in the resort to develop a year-round operation.
Progress at Cragun's continued, and by 1977, the pool area had been enclosed, marking the expansion of the operating season. The resort began hiring full-time staff and in 1983, they acquired the adjacent property, Cronoble's. The process of winterizing and constructing more units continued, they integrated the second property, Island View Lodge, into their vision in 1988.
This iconic Minnesota resort upholds its tradition of crafting cherished memories for vacationers, just as it did in 1940. Today, Cragun's Resort covers an impressive 4,500 feet of shoreline on Gull Lake, employs a team of over 300, and serves as a prime destination for family vacations, golf retreats, and conferences. Growth continues with the recent completion of the 45-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course, The Legacy Courses at Cragun's, standing as a testament to the resort's enduring commitment to excellence.
