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| AIKENS LAKE: A BRIEF HISTORY Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge in Manitoba, Canada first opened in 1949 and has expanded over the years to meet the changing needs and expectations of its clientele. In present times, from the totally ecological Great Gray Owl, to the incredible moderness of the Boardwalk Chalets, to the beach front luxury of Park Place, and to the remodeled elegance and comfort of Master Angler’s Row, we provide a choice of accommodations to meet your needs as well as your budget. However, it wasn't always as such.
The Beginning of the Construction: Eric Carlson, the first proprietor of the 9 acres on Aikens Lake, had had a trap line in the area since the early 1940s. His cabin stood close to today’s lodge. One day, he decided to approach the federal government seeking permission to fish commercially on Aikens. This had been tried unsuccessfully back in 1938. The government suggested to him that tourism and sportfishing might be a better idea.
Eric and his son Eddie began preparations in the fall of 1947 for construction the following spring. Trees were downed and brought into camp in the winter with the aid of a three-dog team. It was, of course, much easier to let the dogs drag the trees through the snow than to carry the logs in the summer!
 | |  | | Dog teams carrying logs back to the main camp for the construction of cabins, 1949 |
The Grand Opening: On May 19th, 1949 Aikens Lake Lodge made its grand debut. Among the structures that Eric and Eddie had built was the lodge, which is now the guides’ residence (now called “Le Portage”). The first two cabins, cabins 1 & 2, were also up, although they have since been torn down to construct our Boardwalk Chalets. In 1950, Eric’s son Alfred came to help build more cabins. Eric and his wife Elsie Abestine spent the winters at Aikens Lake, where Eric trapped and built boats in the lodge dining room.
Those of you who have been to Aikens will recognize their craftsmanship in all of the old cabins that have now been painted brown... including the Wilderness Trail cabins. In the Portage, there is a trap door which leads to an underground storeroom connecting to numerous tunnels and pens where the Carlsons kept their animals in the winter time. Eric was a trapper and would spend weeks away from Elsie in the wintertime.
Guests arrived at Aikens Lake by air. Ontario Central flew out of Kenora and Central Northern Airways flew out of Lac du Bonnet. Some guests came from Winnipeg to Lac du Bonnet by train.
The old lodge, now “Le Portage” | | 
A boat landing at the dock in 1952 |
The dock wasn't always in the calmness of the back bay. With engines only being a few hp, it would have taken too long to bring the boats all the way around the peninsula every morning and night. Most of the fishing was done in the little section of Gammon River flowing into the lake. There was also some lake trout fishing done in front of the lodge. There are still old dock cribs on the main beach in front of "Le Portage".
The old lodge, lakeside, 1949 | | 
The falls of the Gammon River, 1959 |
The Legend of Elsie: Some of our guests have had the opportunity to sit around the campfire and hear about Elsie, our friendly neighborhood ghost. In fact, this is more than just a clever spinster's imagination. Although Elsie passed away in Winnipeg, and not at the lodge, numerous staff members have seen Elsie in the past. Everytime she has been spotted, it has been either in, or around, "Le Portage"... her old cabin. The oddest episode happened back around 1994. Gil Lavack, head guide at the time, was sleeping heavily at 6:00 AM. He felt a hand shaking him and a female voice urging him to wake up. Assuming it was only one of the girls from the camp, he ignored it for awhile. After much persistence, a groggy Gil turned around and was staring directly into the image of Elsie, 1950's attire and all. He could not sleep another wink, and at breakfast was completely shaken up. This is one of many encounters, but is probably the closest contact anyone has had with the apparition.
The Gaffrey Years: After 18 years of operation, Aikens Lake Lodge was sold in 1967 to Arthur Gaffrey, a pilot, who had first flown in to Aikens Lake in 1953 while hauling freight. In 1956, he began to fly guests into the lodge.
During the Gaffrey tenure, the kitchen and dining room were built along with the motel unit known now as Master Angler’s Row. The North Star and the Lone Coyote cabins (staff quarters) were also erected.
 | |  | | A special thanks to Tom Greteman (right) for pictures and plaque from his first trip in 1953. Mr. Greteman recently came on his 50th anniversary trip July 2003!!! |
The Lavergne/Frechette Partnership: In 1974, Gerry Lavergne and his partner Antoine Frechette bought Aikens Lake Lodge. The partnership dissolved in 1980 and Gerry continued alone. The Master Angler’s Club Room was added to the dining room. Orion, the current office, was built along with a modern shower and laundry facility.
The Turenne/Lavack Partnership: In Spring, 1989, Aikens Lake Lodge was sold to Gerry & Lorraine Turenne and Philippe & Jackie Lavack. It became known as Aikens Lake Wildnerness Lodge. The first major purchase after acquiring the lodge was the sawmill. It has enabled us to produce our own wood. Not only does this save us the great expense of buying the wood and flying it in, but gives us the unique opportunity to build hand-crafted log structures. These cabins, especially the Great Gray Owl and Boardwalk Chalets, have become some of the most beautiful and unique accommodations in the industry.
The Great Gray Owl | | 
One of two Boardwalk Chalets |
Camp Guardian: In September of 2000, our good friend and camp guardian, Samson, passed away. He was ten years old and had spent every summer of his life keeping bears and moose away from the main camp. His tradition of greeting planes and keeping the bears and moose away has been handed over to Kodiak. They spent Kodiak's first year together, in which Samson taught Kody the tricks of the trade (such as sucking up for attention and food). We will miss Sammy, but he will always be in his favorite playing ground, Aikens Lake.
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