The Youngstrom Family Cabin at Kabetogama Narrows

By Dale Lund with help from Bernice Youngstrom and Mary Boril – April 2021

Youngstrom Cabin at Kabetogama Narrows

After building and running Youngstrom's Vacation Camp on Kabetogama for many years, in the early 1950’s Oscar and Helen purchased a beautiful large log cabin on 40 acres from Dr. Levine in the Narrows Area of Kabetogama which was only accessible by a 4 mile boat ride from the Ash River Landing. The cabin sits atop a rock bluff overlooking the lake.  There was a small protected bay that was ideal for docking the boats, which is where the Voyageurs Park rangers dock their patrol boats today.

In the early 1960’s, Oscar and several nearby resort owners; Bob Berggeren from Whispering Pines Resort; Curt Osborne from Wilderness Resort; and Art and Mary Bern from Meadwood Resort (Meadwood Lodge is now the Visitors’ Center), and cabin owner Matt Hansen obtained the necessary easements and permits to build a road from Ash River Trail to their properties. This road extended four miles with 93 curves! In a combined effort with minimal equipment and with help from friends and relatives, the road was completed in the mid 1960’s.

---

Helen and Oscar, Narrows cabin in the 1960s

Helen Youngstrom, 1945

The Youngstrom family continued to enjoy the cabin in The Narrows for many enjoyable family vacations. When family members weren’t using it, the cabin was rented to other families and groups, including the Satterlees, to enjoy beautiful Lake Kabetogama. 

In 1978, the family was forced to sell to the federal government for the new Voyageurs National Park where it is now used as the park ranger station. The cabin has been preserved as a meeting place for visiting government officials.

---

The Youngstrom family standing in front of their car. Helen is standing behind Jean, the oldest, and Bette in front of her. Oscar has Mary in front of him, and Bert at right.

Helen and Oscar Youngstrom