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Video: WDIO-TV's final stop a Lundie original

Jul 23, 2018 04:04PM ● By Editor

By Amy Adamle from WDIO-TV - July 23, 2018



Along the North Shore, many cabins and homes have a rich history, but 14 of them, have something in common.  They were built in the 1940s and 50s, by architect Edwin Lundie. 

Lundie's impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail inspired the Lundie and Vacation Home Tour 14 years ago.  It's a chance to see some of the cabins as well as many other stunning homes in the area. 

"There's only so many Lundies and we can't go back to them every year, so we pull in these other vacation homes and cabins," Steve, a Lundie cabin owner and organizer of the tour, said.  

The last stop on the tour every year, is like taking a step back in time.  It's a Lundie house, a gorgeous red cabin, that is largely unchanged from the original Lundie design.

"We like the style to begin with," Steve, who is only the third owner in almost 70 years, said.  "We came down here, saw it and fell in love with it."

The cabin holds elements inside that are straight out of nature with a rock, tile bathroom and walls and ceilings made of wood.

"We try to find something that's got some architectural details to it," Steve said.  

Antique decorations are scattered around and there's a large clock, that shows unbelievable craftsmanship, you don't see every day.  There are more detailed carvings throughout the cabin that demonstrate the incredible amount of work and character in this cabin, that's straight out of a storybook.  

"We've always said as a family that we're just caretakers for it, because it's special," Steve said.  

It is special in a way that is not obvious, but truly remarkable.  It's made of a timber frame, put together not with nails, but with handmade wooden pegs, carefully cut, shaped, and pounded into place.  The exposed beams and hand-finished timber shows a design that took time and a dedication to the craft, something Steve senses and feels all around him.

"We said this is a place that all of our friends and family can come and they would be welcome and feel comfortable right away and that's what it's been," Steve said.  

The cabin has is a place that's been a blissful setting for Steve and his family.

"It's nice, because it's deep from the highway, so it's nice and quiet out here," Steve said.  

Over time, there have been some changes with the addition of a guesthouse, a garage, and bringing it up to date,  while still keeping with the original style.

"When we restored it, we brought it up to date and so forth, but it's still a Lundie," Steve said.  

Because of these Lundie homes, the tours have been packed every year, ranging all the way from 60 people, to over double that.

"We have visited over 60 sites, so far and I can't even tell you the number of people we have had on the tours, but they keep coming back," Steve said.  "We've had a range of sites that we've visited, some of them are very small footprints like some of those that we.  At the same time, we've seen some tremendously large places and so it's a mix."

At the end of each tour, they come together to celebrate and share their experiences, and Steve said that's what really helps bond them.  It's bonded people from all over for 14 years now, as they come together to take in the architectural and natural beauty of the area.

"This was the combination of history, local craftsman, materials from the area, lumber stone work," Steve said.  

It's a unique way to learn about the history and experience the beauty that's unlike anything else, while also using funds generated by the tour to support the Schroeder Historical Society and Cross River Heritage Center's missions to keep the area's history alive.

"It's 10 to 15 percent of our operating budget, but more than that, what we do is we develop relationship with a lot of people and a lot of people come to learn about the historical society," Steve said.  

Each stop along the tour offers a special experience, while taking in the views to match an ideal day.

"Today was perfect," Steve said. 

A perfect day, celebrating the perfect scenes of the North Shore, something they hope to continue for many years to come.

Watch the final WDIO-TV Lundie home tour report here

Boreal Ship Spotter - larger view here