One of the larger lakes of the Chain at 1,496 acres, Trout Lake is widely known for its water clarity and amazing depths; some reports citing depths as much as 120 ft. This is a spring-fed lake with one upflow so strong that it will support a twenty pound weight! The public access is on the west side of CSAH 66 just north of Manhattan Beach.
In 1924 the land was purchased and in 1926 the Oscawana Resort was built. Over the years Oscawana was divided into several small resorts and private homes. Birch Hill Inne is the original carriage house
This beautiful 258 acre lake was once the summer playground of actor brothers, Peter Graves and James Arness. They spent their childhood vacations in a small cabin on the island that can be seen as one travels down CSAH 66. Some time was also spent at Oscawana Resort, which was on the west shore of Ox Lake near Birch Hill Inne.
Opened in the early 1930’s, the original Moonlite Bay was a much larger building which featured fine dining, two bars, big bands and dancing. In the 1960’s, in line with the times, this hot night spot featured go-go dancers on the bar! It ‘s been rumored that big city gangsters, on a holiday in the area, would often visit Moonlite Bay.
The Northern Pacific Railroad carried logs from points north down what has become known as ‘the Old Grade Road’ and over parts of CSAH 66. The area from CSAH 16 to the Crosslake City Hall was the dumping ground for the logs. Later they were rolled into Crosslake to be floated down the Pine River to the Mississippi.
