Birchwood, WI

Arrive by ferry and leave the ordinary on shore. The offering of Main Lodge 4 and 5 is a rare opportunity to own a spectacular private residence within the storied island setting of the National Register-listed Stout's Island Lodge on prestigious Red Cedar Lake in Northwest Wisconsin. Positioned in the northwest corner of the historic Main Lodge, Main Lodge 4 and 5 offer immediate access to the island’s rich amenities along with a uniquely effortless ownership experience, combining the charm of a bygone era with a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle. Residents enjoy close proximity to the island’s extensive trail system, docks, tennis courts, and shared gathering spaces, all just steps from the residence. Together, the residences comprise approximately 1,022 finished square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with multiple seating and living areas, plus a screened-in entryway and numerous deck or porch addition options, creating a more expansive and flexible layout than typically found within the lodge. The combined configuration offers an ideal setting for extended stays, hosting guests, or multi-generational use. What sets Main Lodge 4 and 5 apart is not simply their footprint, but their provenance. These residences belong to the legendary Island of Happy Days, the Red Cedar Lake retreat created for Frank Deming Stout and recognized for its architecturally sophisticated Rustic Style design. Historically, the Main Lodge housed members of the Stout family and their guests, and the bulk of the estate dates to 1909–1911, modeled in the spirit of the great Adirondack camps of Upstate New York, where log architecture, fireplaces, and broad rooflines are woven carefully into the natural landscape. Here, ownership feels less like a purchase and more like stewardship. Days begin with a ten-minute ferry crossing and unfold in a car-free setting of shoreline paths, boathouse culture, lake activities, lawns, common gardens, and evenings by the bonfire. Even the bridge to the east island carries its own story, having been gifted to the estate by Andrew Carnegie, a close friend of Frank Stout. With owner use extending into the winter months, Main Lodge 4 and 5 are not only a summer escape, but a four-season retreat in one of the region’s most evocative island estates, located approximately two hours from the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and roughly six hours from Chicago.