Outside Capital Plans a Log Hotel at Sullivan Lake
A new $10,000 resort company wants to turn the lake into a base for fishermen, hunters and tourists — with a 20-room hotel, tent camps and a trail to the Metaline caves.
The Pend Oreille River country and the territory tributary to it is just beginning to attract the attention of tourists and sportsmen, and with the better transportation into this country it is sure to become popular with those who wish to enjoy its romantic scenery and its splendid opportunities for outdoor sport. One of the prettiest places from a scenic standpoint and at the same time most prolific of sport is the Sullivan Lake country. Sullivan Lake is located about ten miles from Sullivan Landing on the Pend Oreille, and is about the same distance from Metaline. It is in the Kaniksu National Forest, a guarantee that its natural beauty will long be preserved and protected from the advancement of civilization.
There has been incorporated the past week the Sullivan Lake Resort Co., with the intention of exploiting the advantages of that country. The company is incorporated for $10,000 and is composed mostly of Cleveland, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana people. Officers are R. G. Burlingame, president; J. L. Kitch, secretary; A. R. Smith, treasurer. Mr. Burlingame and Mr. Smith have been residents of this section for some time.
The company plans the erection of a fine log hotel with 20 rooms, and will also provide tents and all necessaries for camp life. They will cater to fishermen, campers and hunters. The fishing at Sullivan Lake is said to be the best in this part of the Northwest, and marvelous tales are told of the catches made there. Hunting is also good; birds are numerous, and big game, such as cougar, lynx, deer and bear, are found in that vicinity.
The trail from Sullivan Landing will be improved this fall, and put in shape for the opening of travel in the spring. The hotel will be ready for use early in the spring, when the formal opening of the resort will occur. In connection with the resort the management will offer the public trips to the celebrated caves north of Metaline. To reach the cave the trail along the north fork of Sullivan Creek to a point north of Metaline will be used, and arrangements will be made for the comfort of tourists while at the cave. The Kaniksu National Forest officials have approved of the application of the company for the establishment of this resort, and next season will see a fine hunting and fishing spot opened to the public.
“The company plans the erection of a fine log hotel with 20 rooms, and will also provide tents and all necessaries for camp life.”
Sullivan Lake remains a recreation destination, and the 1908 pitch shows outside investors already packaging the same scenery as a tourist product. The mix of National Forest access, a gateway town and capital from Ohio and Indiana is a familiar rural-development story today.
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