The Search for Land 1942

Original donor Dr. Albert Brassett in 1954 when he retired from his medical practice in Kalispell with his granddaughter Mary Pat Murphy using his stethoscope
Original donor Dr. Albert Brassett in 1954 when he retired from his medical practice in Kalispell with his granddaughter Mary Pat Murphy using his stethoscope

In the Fall of 1942...

After years of renting the Methodist Camp, the Norwegian Lutherans of Montana resolved to establish a camp of their own. Despite the challenges of a nation emerging from the Great Depression and grappling with World War II, they were determined to secure land on Flathead Lake and create a summer camp for youth.

In the fall of that year, Pastor Amon Johnson, Hans Larson, Ernest Iverson, J.M. Carlson, Oscar Engebretson, and Dr. Albert Brassett, all from Kalispell, joined Rev. Jacobson from Whitefish in the search for the perfect location.

Rev. Amon Johnson Kalispell original donor
Rev. Amon Johnson Kalispell original donor

“The problem of finding land for a camp was seemingly impossible, especially in the middle of World War II. The cost for land in the times of a tough dollar was prohibitive. There was war rationing and we were told that nothing suitable was available.” Rev. Amon Johnson,  Bethlehem Lutheran Church,  Kalispell   

With Realtor, Guy Kao of Kalispell, the group searched for months around the Lake and found nothing appropriate. One late November afternoon at dusk, after a long and tiring day, Mr. Kao pointed across Hughes Bay and said: “That land over there is available, but you probably don’t want to go in there because there is no road and the going would be tough.” However, that small group of Norwegians was undeterred and they did want to "go in there!"

Ernest Iverson Kalispell original donor
Ernest Iverson Kalispell original donor

The next day Mr. Kao took the search party over the toughest going they had experienced. They trekked a mile down an abandoned wagon trail in the cold, the snow, the mud, over downed trees and through thick, tangled brush to the lakeshore where the Dining Hall now stands.

  • This photo, taken later, shows the view that the search party saw that winter, with driftwood strewn on an untouched beautiful shoreline.
    This photo, taken later, shows the view that the search party saw that winter, with driftwood strewn on an untouched beautiful shoreline.
  • “When we saw the shore and the big native trees and the rocky point stretching into the lake it was breathtaking. The Realtor said the price was $1,000. But how to get the thousand dollars… It was tough in those days. Dollars were scarce with war rationing and incomes were low. It looked hopeless." Rev. Amon Johnson

    Gracefully - Dr. Albert Brassett, Ernest W. Iverson, Rev. Amon Johnson, Chris Larssen, and Hans Larson, all members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell stepped forward to purchase the land for the new Lutheran Camp. The deed was transferred on December 5, 1942. They demonstrated foresight and commitment and laid the foundation for the Camp's enduring legacy for decades of impactful ministry.
Hans Larson of Kalispell was an original donor.
Hans Larson of Kalispell was an original donor.

Hans Larson and his family were instrumental in preparing the land and infrastructure for the future camp.  Men from Larson’s lumber Company, American Timber, built a road into the site, brought in electricity, and prepared the site for buildings.

An urban legend has it that one reason the Lutherans decided to look for a camp of their own was because of coffee!  When the Methodist camp was rented in the 1930s, Lutheran leaders looked forward to a cup of coffee in the evenings. However, it seems that the camp policy was to close the kitchen after dinner and not allow people in to have snacks or brew coffee. Thus the adults had to drive 30 minutes one way to either Polson or Kalispell for coffee each evening.  So after several years of this they decided to find land for a camp of their own.