Best of Wisconsin Lake Resorts with Cabins

Wisconsin Lake Resorts with Cabins

When examining the top lake resorts in the Midwest, it’s impossible not to run across lake resorts with cabins venues in Wisconsin. The state is awash with picturesque cabins that are perched on the banks of lakes and surrounded by pristine forests. Even though these areas are ideal vacation spots for tourists, the root of this industry is far from family-friendly. Unbeknownst to most travelers, Wisconsin’s lake resorts were essential elements to the growth of Chicago-based mafias. From rum smuggling to remote hideouts, Wisconsin was a haven for organized crime during the 20th century. Luckily today, Wisconsin lake resorts for families are the most friendly and sought-after Wisconsin vacation ideas alongside cabin rentals.

Adeline’s House of Cool is nestled near Lake Puckaway in Green Lakes! Check out the photo gallery to get a feel for the best of Wisconsin lake resorts with cabins rental yourself!

The views of this Wisconsin Lake Resort Cabin for rent are ideal for families, couples, and the large group gathers!

A short history of Wisconsin’s gangster past

Wisconsin lake resorts with cabins on the river for families!

To showcase how wild Wisconsin used to be, we are going to dive into the state’s gangster past. This story manages to tie America’s most notorious criminals with gorgeous lake resorts throughout the state. The integration of crime and nature is fascinating since these seemingly opposite elements thrived alongside each other. It was a rare union that was birthed out of necessity and circumstance. To truly understand the impact, we have to go back to the Prohibition era.

When alcohol was made illegal in 1920, it created a lucrative opportunity for organized crime. Intent on cashing in on Americans’ love of alcohol, Chicago-based mafias quickly started catering to this illegal market. While bootlegging popped up around the country, rum-running routes appeared across multiple borders. Even though Mexico and the Caribbean were smuggler hotspots, they couldn’t compete with Canada. The thousands of miles of untamed forests along the Northern border set the stage for a series of truly spectacular smuggling operations.

Warmest of welcome from this cozy cabin in Wisconsin, a wonderful lake resort cabin rental!

Instead of packing alcohol through the woods, the mafia flew in airplanes filled with booze into Wisconsin. These outrageously large shipments couldn’t land in traditional airports, so the criminals got creative. Through the use of hydroplanes, the mafia was able to take advantage of Wisconsin’s 1.13 million acres of water area. The sheer amount of lakes and thick surrounding forest made these areas impossible to patrol, which allowed them to establish a firm foothold in Wisconsin. Al Capone built a fortified summer home near Hayward that was located on Cranberry Lake. This strategic location allowed him to fly in whiskey from Canada and escape the law with his top lieutenants.

Even after prohibition was declared a massive failure and abandoned by the US government, businesses connected to organized crime continued to thrive in Wisconsin’s wilderness. Thanks to its rugged terrain, the Northern area of the state was extremely hard to access. This remoteness was ideal for wanted criminals who quickly took advantage of this hidden paradise. The entire state was hit hard by the Great Depression, so locals were more than willing to hide these fugitives for a little bit of cash. There were also thousands of loggers and railroad workers who longed for female companies, which allowed the mafia to open up brothels across the state.

This Wisconsin lake resort with cabin rental is full-go game & fun!

Combined with this booming underground business, Wisconsin lake resorts were the ideal place for 20th-century gangsters to hideout. The infamous bank robber John Dillinger routinely fled to Wisconsin with his gang of outlaws after his daring stickups. This unwanted migration set the stage for one of the most infamous FBI failures of the century. After being wounded during a shootout with the FBI in St. Paul, Dillinger fled to one of the many mafia hideouts in Wisconsin. After receiving a tip in April 1934, the FBI descended on the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, WI.

Unfortunately for the federal agents, their informant failed to mention that the lakeside lodge had watchdogs. As soon as the dogs started barking, the FBI agents panicked and opened fire on a group of partygoers who were leaving the venue. This barrage of bullets killed one innocent patron and allowed Dillinger to escape out a back window. Baby Face Nelson went the opposite direction with guns blazing. After he murdered an FBI agent and constable, he fled in his victim’s patrol car. This botched raid was a national scandal, and the FBI didn’t salvage their image until they gunned down Dillinger in Chicago that summer. The bullet holes from the shootout and various artifacts remain in Little Bohemia Lodge, which now operates as a museum/restaurant.

Best of Wisconsin lake resorts with cabin rentals for families, we have a 20ft. hot tub for your group to enjoy!

Visiting Wisconsin’s Top Lake Resort with Cabin in the 21st Century

Nowadays, visitors don’t have to belong to the mob to enjoy the beauty of Wisconsin’s best lake resort with cabins. The entire industry may have been originally fueled by mafia funds, but today the real winners are new tourists. Wisconsin lake resorts for families and for couples are secure, highly recommended, and an ideal travel place. Over the last century, visitors have traded in their machine guns for fishing poles and don’t have to worry about evading the law. Visitors who crave a leisurely journey around Lake Puckaway can now stay at Adeline’s House of Cool. This 6 bedroom cabin is ideal since it balances luxury with seclusion. The natural beauty of Wisconsin is just as epic as its backstory, so come stay at Adeline’s Retreat to indulge in everything but the shootouts!

Contact us today to reserve the best of Wisconsin Lake Resorts with Cabins!