Lodges: Historic and Present presented by CMCA - Part Three

Clarendon & Miller Community Archives | May 03, 2017

Twin Oak Lodge (Kashwakamak Lake)

The story of Twin Oak Lodge starts in 1900 when Anton (Tony) Weiss was born August 21st, in Nandlstadt, Bavaria. Tony immigrated to Canada in 1913 with his parents and eight of his ten siblings. The family landed at Ellis Island and made their way to Canada, having been sponsored by Mathias Myers. Walking for three days from Clarendon Station, carrying all of their worldly possessions, they settled on a farm stead, which is now known as Weiss' Point on Kashawakamak Lake.

Tony worked as a guide at Salmond's Lodge until one day three tourists told him "Hey Tony, if you start your own place, we'd come with you."So, he did. Tony purchased the land across from Weiss' Point, from the man that had bought it from his sister Caroline in the 1920's. He built the main lodge and a few cabins with help from his family and friends. Twin Oak Lodge was established along the north-east shore of Kashwakamak Lake in 1935, south of the hamlet of Fernleigh.

True to their word, the three men who Tony had guided, came and stayed at Twin Oak Lodge. Theresa Weber, Tony's older sister, was the cook at the Lodge, preparing hearty and delicious meals for the growing clientele. The Lodge offered its guests the "American Plan" which meant that meals were included in the stay.

The growing number of guests at Twin Oak Lodge meant that more cabins needed to be built. Twelve cabins of various sizes were constructed and "the boathouse', originally a gathering hall, was later converted into an eight-person cabin and renamed by the guests as "Hotel Cleveland." Later a house-keeping cabin was added as well.
Twin Oak Lodge was known for its excellent food, comfortable cabins, great fishing, and up until the mid 1990's, a wonderful retreat for hunters. In the early days, it was also known for the dances that Tony would host, with local folks and guests alike enjoying live music.

Twin Oak's has always been a family business, with Tony's daughters Mary and Rose helping him from day one. His sister, brothers, grandsons, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and even great-grand nieces and nephews have worked there.

In 1970, his daughter Mary and husband Arnold took over as owners and the business continued to flourish. Mary's excellent cooking brought in local people to eat dinner alongside the guests, especially for turkey dinners on Wednesday and fried chicken on Sundays. She ran the lodge with Arnold until he passed away in 2002, and then continued on with her son and daughter until she passed away in 2007. Her children continue to run Twin Oak Lodge, and maintain the same level of excellence that it has always been famous for and of course the amazing food.

Tony never advertised … he didn't have to. His three original guests brought their family and friends and these people have continued to come with growing families for four and five generations. A fitting way to run a very family lodge.