One hundred years is a long time. How many can say they operate today on an original family homestead? Dave Peterson can, and he does so with pride and respect for those who came before him, opening the way for a partnership venture – Pine Peaks Retreat & Event Center.
Homesteaded and Dairy Farm
Peter and Ella Peterson ventured into the wildness of the Chain of Lakes near Cross Lake to establish a hotel for the loggers and buy lush northern Minnesota land in 1902. With Norwegian tenacity, they worked to build a good life for themselves and raise their passel of kids on the American dream. One of their nine offspring, Dave’s grandfather Oscar Peterson, along with his wife Grace, bought 80 acres for a dairy farm from the folks in 1908. Their nine children helped Ma and Pa with many chores associated with farm maintenance, the raising of livestock, and the sale of milk to the nearby Pine River Creamery. Forty-nine years of operation later, Oscar was ready to take a well-deserved rest, as was the land. So, the farm was put into soil bank, a government program that paid farmers to discontinue production for 10 years, which in turn, would increase milk prices.
Hobby Farm
However, the land was not idle for long. In 1962 Dale and Betty Peterson (Dave’s parents) bought the farm from Oscar and Grace. Like the folks, they too had nine children who grew up on the property, which became a hobby farm in 1967. The kids cared for pigs, chickens, and the three cows – one they drank from; the other two they sold, says Dave, with fond memories.
Family Event Compound
This desire to keep building the family memories influenced Dave’s decision in 2005 to acquire the land. He married Dr. Julie Nyland and they had wedding pictures taken on the grounds that year, and soon after, built a family compound for his siblings and all the kids. The compound saw several family reunions, gatherings for fellowship, and more weddings – two nephews and even Dave’s daughter Molly. Dave also saw that the land had possibilities outside of the family.
Wedding and Event Venue
Considering the possibilities for a great wedding and retreat destination, Dave contacted two friends he’d made through his Monticello Ford dealership. Paul McCulloch and Dick Fischer had lake homes in the Crosslake area, and in 2006 the two had become partners in the Pine Peaks Lodge. The Lodge had no meeting room or banquet hall, and it was located only six miles away from Dave’s place, so . . . there were distinct possibilities for an expansion of the partnership to include the dynamic threesome, and Julie, of course.
Pine Peaks Retreat & Event Center
Thus, the concept and execution unfolded. Plans were made during the winter of 2011, and by April, ground was broken. Pine Peaks Retreat & Event Center was open for business (and weddings) in June. By August, Paul McCulloch, Dave was booking comedy shows from Scott Hansen’s Comedy Gallery, located near the Twin Cities.
Today, the 5-acre destination near Cross Lake accommodates bridal parties, family retreats, scrapbooking parties, quilting bees, and more. The comedy shows are growing in popularity as well, and Paul’s booking headliners from around the country. The old Peterson homestead has changed its function over the years. But on thing hasn’t changed – the property remains open to gatherings where families and friends share love and fellowship and FUN TIMES.
Peter and Ella, Oscar and Grace, as well as Dale and Betty, would be very happy and proud, no doubt, of what Dave and Julie, the partners, and the family have done with the place.
Enjoy!