American Legion Past State Commander Carnie Jackson and Ellen Jackson at the Wilwin Lodge entrance. The large Wilwin property near Trout Lake, a former lumbering camp, has been donated to the American Legion, and will be open for a public open house and picnic Saturday, July 17. (Photograph courtesy of American Legion) A historic 520-acre lumber camp in the U.P. has been turned over to the American Legion Department of Michigan by former Trout Lake resident Robert Considine, who bought his boyhood favorite piece of hunting property in 1964 and enjoyed it with his family for many years. His donation aids both Boy Scouts and veterans, as Mr. Considine, now of Pellston, had hoped to do. The American Legion will use the property to offer soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan a secluded place to reconnect with their families, and the Legion will also offer it to scout troops for retreats.

The former camp is called Wilwin Lodge. An open house is planned there this weekend.

The property, a thriving lumber camp employing 60 to 70 men in the early years of the 20th century, features a six-bedroom lodge built in 1914 and a newer four-bedroom guest house that will make ideal accommodations for combat soldiers and their families who want to spend time together in a peaceful setting, said Lou Oberle of Engadine, an officer of the American Legion. Two programs of the American Legion, Reconnect Committee and Heroes to Hometown, coordinate services for returning soldiers and will be offered the use of these facilities. Eventually, the American Legion may consider expanding the housing available on the site.

Offering ample camping and outdoor recreation opportunities, the Wilwin property also will be available for scouting, since Boy Scouts is a partner group with American Legion, said Mr. Oberle. Other fraternal and civic groups will be able to use the property, as well.

“We're pretty excited about it,” he said of the donation, noting that it offers many potential uses for veterans groups and service groups. “We'll allow the Boy Scouts to use the property free.”

The lodge was originally built at the Chesborough Lumber Company by brothers William and Erwin Chesbrough to house lumber buyers who traveled to the Upper Peninsula by train to reach the site. The property once featured a village, bunkhouses for workers, and a sawmill, most of which were subsequently moved to other locations around Trout Lake. Its most recent owner, Mr. Considine, added a garage and stable.

The property had been appraised at $1.5 million.

Mr. Considine, realizing his family was no longer interested in maintaining the large property, sought a way to offer it to Boy Scouts or veterans groups. While talking with Pat Lafferty, an American Legion adjutant in Lansing, he learned the American Legion sponsors many Boy Scouts troops in the state, “and that accomplished both the goals I wanted,” he said.

“I wanted to give it away to someone who could use it to the fullest,” Mr. Considine told The St. Ignace News Monday, July 12. “I feel real good about it. I did what I wanted to do for the veterans and the Boy Scouts.”

A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Considine grew up in Trout Lake and went on to a career in electrical engineering, working with the automotive industry and its suppliers in the Detroit area. He now owns a farm in Pellston.

The American Legion will open the Wilwin site to the public this weekend during the open house. Other veterans groups are also invited to attend. Free rustic camping is offered Friday, July 16, until noon Sunday, July 18. A picnic will be served Saturday, July 17, at noon, and live music will be featured Saturday at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the open house activities.

To reach the Wilwin Lodge site, leave US-123 at Trout Lake and continue west on H-40, traveling for 2.5 miles and turning right onto Wilwin Road. Three miles north of the turn will be a left turn onto Wilwin Lodge Road and the lodge is approximately one mile to the west. Those planning to camp are asked to bring a trailer or tent, musical instruments to play around a campfire, and to call Roger Webster at (231) 652-7081 to advise of the number of people in the camping party.

Camping and motel lodging is also available nearby in Trout Lake, St. Ignace, Newberry, Naubinway, and Epoufette.

A committee of the American Legion is working on a five-year plan for use of the property, which may include rentals for weddings and family reunions. Committee members are Mr. Oberle, Roger Webster, Carnie Jackson, Bill Miller, and Bob Mayrand.

The American Legion Auxiliary has compiled a “wish list” of donations for future use by military families and Boy Scouts at the lodge, including items such as table games, a collection of books, outdoor grills, and lawn games, as well as household supplies. The donation list may be seen at the American Legion Web site, www.michiganlegion.org.