History of Bayside Bar & Grille at The Dinnerbel

In 1854 Daniel Lindstrom, purchased 130 acres, at $1.25 an acre that would become the town of Lindstrom. He built a log home for his family on the site of the Peninsula Hotel and Dinnerbel Restaurant.

In 1889, Colonel B.L. Bronson purchased the site and began building his dream - a grand resort hotel which he named the Peninsula Hotel, for the knolled Peninsula it rests on overlooking South and North Lindstrom lakes.

The Peninsula's grand opening took place on Tuesday, May 14, 1889, "a dark and stormy night". Despite adverse weather conditions, the Peninsula was crowded from basement to garret. The band played its last number at 4:00 a.m., after which guests departed into the "worst wind and rains" in years.

Colonel Bronson was considered one of Lindstroms earliest entrepreneurs and the prime mover and shaker of the community. In the summer of 1893, the Colonel opened the Bronson opera house and was issued the first liquor license in Lindstrom. Each May he held a festival celebrating the beginning of spring and the reopening of this popular summer resort. The late Elof Berggren recalled that the Colonel "liked to think of things to attract people to Lindstrom, hopefully to fill his Hotel".

In those years one could travel by boat from Chisago to South Center lake, and Captain Hanft whose elegant steam yacht made lake excursions, would make daily stops at the Hotel's dock.

The Colonel sold the Hotel in 1900 to Charles Acker. He operated it until its foreclosure, caused by the depression in 1932. The Hotel was boarded and closed until 1946, when Clem Hendrickson purchased it for $700 and changed its name to the Dinnerbel (with One "l) The Hendrickson's were responsible for bringing life and fine dining reputation once again to the Peninsula.

The historical and colorful past of the Peninsula has many stories and mysterious features such as the slot machines that were, at one time set up in the basement and a large stoned-in archway in the basement which leads to the exterior of the building, but does not show up in early pictures. What could it be and where does it go? Something less visible, but just as real to the people who work here, is the persistent presence of someone we call "George'

Diane John and John Haselbeck have been Partners in this business since 1994, and have been friends for over 20 years. The "bel" was purchased during the height of their mid-life crisis, when both had boundless energy and enthiusiam.

While times have changed, we believe the Dinnerbel is still on the cutting edge with quality food, exceptionally helpful staff and most importantly our family of friends and customers.

The Dinnerbel features "original American music" throughout the year, with music on the lakeside deck on warm summer nights.

Friendly Sprits Who Reside at Bayside Bar & Grille at The Dinnerbel

There are many interesting and somewhat mysterious features to this building…for example:

There is a large stoned-up, old archway on the north end of the basement. Leading to the exterior of the building but does not show up in any early pictures of the building from the 1890’s. What could it be? And, where does it go?

Something less visible but just as real to the past and present people who work here, is the persistent presence that we call “George”.

In the 1890’s, a hard-goods salesman named George, from Council Bluffs. Iowa traveled to the Chisago Lake's community and stayed at this building, then known as the Peninsula Hotel. He loved visiting the area because of its many lakes, and at day’s end would pursue his first love, which was fishing.

Over the years he became close to “Colonel Bronson” and his family, the owners of the Hotel. All looked forward to “George’s” summer visits. Around 1898, “George” retired and worked in the summer as a groundskeeper and managed the waterfront bait store and concession stand the hotel. He always stayed in room 4, and most evenings after fishing would sit on the porch and pass time with the Hotel’s guests.

“George” was described as a distinguished, rather tall man, silver haired, mustached, well read, with a keen wit, with a kind word to say about everyone. (A photograph of a younger George hangs in the bar) It was said that he liked to frequent the opera house located next door to the Hotel and, attend the yearly spring dance at the Hotel. He was helpful to all and always had candy for the children.

In the 1920’s “George” left for Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was never heard from again. It was presumed that he died that winter.

In the mid 40’s, Clem Hendrickson purchased the Hotel and seven cabins for $700 dollars. They changed the name to the Dinnerbel, and operated the building as a summer restaurant. (Note: Clem sold the seven cabins for $110 each, getting his original investment back)

In the early 40’s, folklore has it that some strange things were happening at the Dinnerbel…. articles disappeared then would show up in strange places, doors and windows found open that no one remembered opening, hearing footsteps downstairs when no one was upstairs. Many of these occurrences happened in or, around Room “4”.

A less known but still felt presence is one we call “Rose” who was reported to have stayed at the Hotel during the early 30’s. “Rose” was somehow instrumental in having slot machines installed in the Hotel’s basement. The profits of the slots contributed towards the drilling of a well in the south Lindstrom Lake, which was very low at the time. She was named “Rose” for the perfume she always wore and occasionally customers tell us they smell a rose scent in the lobby.

Another sighting of the friendly spirits involves a family of four with two small children. On several occasions the wait-staff noticed a family suddenly appear at the round corner table during a busy time. Upon returning to the table with menus, the server would find the family gone with nothing being disturbed at the table.

Whether these stories are true or not, it is fact the many employees who have worked at this establishment over the last fifty years (including myself) believe there is a presence here. Occasionally one senses a presence or sees something out of their peripheral vision that makes itself known and, never in a mean or threatening manner.

If anyone reading this has a story or an experience or a bizarre happening with our friendly spirits please share the your story with John, and they will documented in our spirit chronicles.

Note: In 2008 and 2009, a ”Paranormal Investigation Team” named “Moon Dance”, conducted tests in our building using state of the art equipment including a EF meter as well as a white noise detection EVP’s unit, with interesting results.

If you or someone you know thinks they may have experienced a paranormal occurrence in a home or building, the team would be interested in contacting you for a possible investigation of the site.

-- John