History

A stately pleasure dome decree
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea

1917

James C. Jones bought the St. Louis Cardinals for $375,000, keeping them safe in their home city.

1921

Jones and his wife, Clara, drove from St. Louis to Otter Tail County in a massive Marmon touring car, ($5,000, the equivalent of a new Rolls Royce today), with a fishing boat attached to the back. Wish we could have seen that.

1925

A flapper-era socialite loses a walnut-size diamond in Bass Lake. It’s never been found. Seriously.

1930

A summer camp kind of love.

Clara passes away and James C. Jones, overcome with grief, departs his beloved pleasure dome, never to return. Pass the Kleenex.

193?

Presidents like to fish, too.

Woodrow Wilson slept here. We’re not sure when, but his name is in the register!

1933

Prohibition ends.

Booze, previously hidden in a half-basement beneath a trap door in the master bedroom of the main lodge, can now come above ground. Nice.

2018

Nicole & Jay Reinan are excited to continue the Xanadu tradition, hosting new guests as well as legacy families who’ve been coming for generations. They updated lodging and decor, added amenities, partnered with DanceBarn Collective to support arts in rural communities, and expand the resort to include a renovated barn for weddings, retreats and reunions.