Dillman’s History

A glimpse of Dillman’s History

The Resort

Main Lodge 1934-1939

“Dillman’s has been a landmark on White Sand Lake in Lac du Flambeau for well over half a century.” Joyce Laabs, Lakeland Times. Marvin and Peg Dillman bought the resort from Peg’s parents in 1934. It has been operated by their daughters and their husbands for many years. The resort has seen changes, yet it still meets the vacationing public’s changing needs in a classic vacation paradise. The family has been welcoming guests to the ever popular family vacation amenities such as, four beaches, a marina for a variety of water sports on crystal clear White Sand Lake, tennis courts, children’s playground, picnic grounds, nearby golf and plenty of space to relax.

When the resort was initially purchased it included a hotel, 13 buildings, 35 acres and 1500 feet of frontage on White Sand Lake. Peg and Marvin Dillman were married at Dillman’s on June 1, 1935. Dillman’s started as a boy’s camp, but the plans (including not enough time to promote it and prepare for a boy’s camp) didn’t work out. Luckily Peg and Marvin were able to rent the main hotel and several cabins during that first summer to tourists, and Dillman’s Sand Lake Lodge had its beginnings. The next several years brought many improvements (including indoor plumbing, electricity…).

Main Lodge 1940-1992

In 1939, tragedy stuck in the form of fire. An apartment in the back of the hotel had an unattended fire in the fireplace, a log rolled out and the fire started. There was no phone, so they had to drive the mile and a half to the nearest phone at the Lac du Flambeau Depot to call the Fire Department., by the time they arrived the main lodge was destroyed and they were only able to save the outer buildings. Over the next 53 years there were obviously many changes to the resort and many, many memories that families created at Dillman’s. In 1992, there was yet another large fire that consumed the main lodge. In 1993 a new main lodge was built in the same exact spot.

Although some of the cabins were initially built in the late 1920’s the accommodations continue to undergo upgrading, including new kitchens, bathrooms, bedding and amenities. And in 2003, eight new rental properties were added to Dillman’s. Unlike many resorts, Dillman’s also offers internationally known instructors to the Creative Arts Program. 2004 marks the 27th year of watercolor, oil, pastel, gem and wood carving, acrylic, colored pencil marketing, and corporate training classes.