Page 74 - Flathead Living Fall 2013

48˚ NORTh
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connect with their families and make new friends.
Originally operated under the name Retiro Cabins, the resort’s humble begin- nings date back to 1915 when James H. Ridenour and his wife Oni Maude filed for a homestead along the shore of Lake Five. The couple built a modest log home from the woods to allow space for their farm and gardens. They continued to improve the settlement with a barn and other outbuild- ings and their garden produce soon com- manded the attention of visitors to Glacier National Park. It wasn’t long before people began touring the immaculate gardens. Two families visiting regularly from Great Falls became infatuated with the Ridenour Gardens and tranquility of the pristine lake. Eventually the families petitioned the Ridenours to contract summer lodging if accommodations were built. Jim obliged by building two additional cabins along the lakeshore and in 1922 Retiro Cabins was born.
Over the past 90-plus years the mod-
est retreat expanded its cabin and campsite offerings that today includes a total of 12 cabins, three tipi sites, eight campsites and more than 40 RV sites and a general store. The enterprise has been passed down from generation to generation and today the great grandchildren of Jim and Maude still operate the resort with perhaps the biggest change being the name – now Lake Five Resort.
As with many lakes steeped in histo- ry, Lake Five holds its share of mystery. Perhaps the greatest mystery of all is found in its name. As the story goes, Lake Five originally got its name by early area settlers who thought the lake’s shape resembled the number 5. Of course, this was before flight and as time went by and pilots could peep an aerial view, they realized it didn’t resem- ble the number 5 at all. It doesn’t resemble the Roman numeral V and it’s not the fifth lake in the chain. The real reason for its name remains a mystery, which only adds to the quaintness of the tiny retreat.
Lake Five today represents not only a
Jennifer Shelley
office 406.837.1249 cell 406.249.8929
www.NationalParksRealty.com
[email protected]
8270 MT Hwy 35, Ste 5 Bigfork, MT 59911
Committed to helping you find your dream in the Flathead Valley.
72 FLATHEAD LIVING | FALL 2013