Star Island : A Minnesota Summer Community

by Ryan, Carol

• ISBN13: 9781880654187
• ISBN10: 1880654180
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-01
• Publisher: Scb Distributors

Summary

This is an oral history of an unusual Minnesota summer vacation community, Star Island, located on an island in Cass Lake, in northern Minnesota, and only inhabited during the summer.

Most summer communities are known for their famous residents or magnificent architecture. Star Island has neither, but instead is a homogeneous, middle-class log-cabin development whose residents are attracted by the wilderness, the recreational facilities and the healthy environment. This book is about the importance of place in developing family character.

The book is based on oral history interviews of residents conducted by the author. The interviews relate the best-known events of the community, as well as the common sensibilities of Star Islanders. The book contains 35 photographs of Island life and inhabitants, information gleaned from local and regional newspapers. The author draws a number of interesting conclusions about this curious summer community.

Those interested in local history, the resort industry, federal regulation of national parks and forests and, in ge

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Preface	xi
James E. Fogerty
Introduction	1	(18)
The Pioneers	19	(22)
Settling the Summer Community	41	(32)
Epic Events	73	(24)
The Post-War Years	97	(48)
Expansion	145	(14)
Community Life and Island Projects	159	(42)
Newcomers and Island Life	201	(12)
The Meaning of the Place	213	(10)
List of Illustrations	223	(2)
Bibliography	225	(4)
Index	229