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McCall's Historic Shore Lodge 1948 - 1989
Of all McCall, Idaho's historic buildings, Shore Lodge of Payette Lake, reigned for 40 years as the most loved. Although it was conceived as a resort, stock holders did not want McCall's lodge to imitate Sun Valley's resort-style glamour. Rather, this project's catchwords were to be " and "service". From its conception to its demise, locals and visitors would gather in a recreational setting and enjoy lakefront accommodations, dining and entertainment in an unpretentious, relaxing style. Table of 1. Shore Lodge ~ Payette Lake's Keynote 2. Flynn's Lardo Murel 3. Italian on Ice 4. Winter Blues 5. Shore Lodge Riding Stables 6. Johnny Runnalls and Old Skeeter 7. "The Man With the Perfect Profile" 8. Bing Crosby, Top o' the Morning 9. Miss Idaho 10. An Opinionated Character 11. Silenced Slots 12. Perry Bruce 13. Henri Temianka in Concert 14. Shore Lodge's Water Shows 15. Naming McCall's Sea Serpent 16. January 21st., 1954 ~ When The Lights Went Out 17. King of the Dock 18. John Edwards 19. The Case of the Missing Huckleberries 20. John's Swans 21. Hal and Dorothy 22. The Annens and the Basement Community 23. Douglas 24. Postcards from Shore Lodge 25. Sunday Brunch on the Lakefront; Picnics at Brundage Mountain 26. An Unwelcome Guest 27. Shore Lodge Snow Sculptures 28. The Takeover 29. It's History Now In 1989, this historic Idaho icon was purchased by a San Diego real-estate developer in a hostile take-over. Shore Lodge thus was extensively remodeled and christened Whitetail Lodge, an exclusive membership resort.
Perfect Paperback
Published February 1, 2007
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June 29, 2025
Williamson is a native of McCall, Idaho and author of other books on the state as well as an herbalist, native plant expert and cook. This book covers the history of McCall’s most famous resort through 1989 when locals could no longer go as it became a private club. My edition was published in 2006 but the story of Shore Lodge has changed since then.
The story here begins in 1947 when a lodge was planned for the shores of Payette Lake on the edge of town. Although originally low and rustic looking by design it had touches of luxury that drew summer visitors into the central mountains of Idaho mostly for summer sport and recreation. Williamson describes some of its early features including a club room, convention rooms, beauty parlor, dining room, bar, even a space for a doctor and dentist (there were no doctors or dentists in town then). The financial ups and downs are described along with amusing tales of eccentric locals and Hollywood celebrities who came to relax and enjoy activities such as waterskiing, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and boating in Chris Craft power boats.
The lodge is shown to be a mixture of casual, luxury, and rustic. There are fun photos. Bing Crosby is shown in one with his obviously pained teenage sons. Payette Lake has a lake monster named Sharlie first seen in 1917. Williamson is not shy about letting the reader know that an evil property developer from San Diego bought the property in a hostile takeover in 1989. To everyone’s grief it was made into a private club. An update is needed to let you know things have turned out well. It is again open to the public and restored to even more luxury. This is a nice book for anyone interested in Idaho history, travelers and those interested in 20th century tourism.
The story here begins in 1947 when a lodge was planned for the shores of Payette Lake on the edge of town. Although originally low and rustic looking by design it had touches of luxury that drew summer visitors into the central mountains of Idaho mostly for summer sport and recreation. Williamson describes some of its early features including a club room, convention rooms, beauty parlor, dining room, bar, even a space for a doctor and dentist (there were no doctors or dentists in town then). The financial ups and downs are described along with amusing tales of eccentric locals and Hollywood celebrities who came to relax and enjoy activities such as waterskiing, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and boating in Chris Craft power boats.
The lodge is shown to be a mixture of casual, luxury, and rustic. There are fun photos. Bing Crosby is shown in one with his obviously pained teenage sons. Payette Lake has a lake monster named Sharlie first seen in 1917. Williamson is not shy about letting the reader know that an evil property developer from San Diego bought the property in a hostile takeover in 1989. To everyone’s grief it was made into a private club. An update is needed to let you know things have turned out well. It is again open to the public and restored to even more luxury. This is a nice book for anyone interested in Idaho history, travelers and those interested in 20th century tourism.
Displaying 1 of 1 review