Our Story

 

The story of Nystrom’s Resort begins in 1942, when Swedish immigrant and logging entrepreneur Eric Johan “John” Halberg purchased a quiet piece of land along the sandy shores of Big Chetac Lake. At the time, friends told him he was wasting his money—“you could never grow anything on that soil,” they said. But John wasn’t looking to farm. He had a vision for something different: a place to rest, connect with family members and enjoy the simple beauty of the Northwoods.

 

When John passed in 1949, his daughter Alice Nystrom carried that vision forward. By the mid-1950s, she had completed five cabins and opened them to guests. Word spread quickly, and through the 1960s and 70s, Nystrom’s became the cherished summer tradition for families who came back year after year. They came to fish at dawn, watch eagles soar, cook meals together, and find themselves in tune with the slower rhythm of lake life.

 

In 1987, Alice’s son Jack and his wife Marilyn took the reins. Over nearly three decades, they carefully renovated and restored the cabins, one room at a time. Their work ensured that while the comforts of the cabins improved, the spirit of the resort remained unchanged—timeless, simple, and welcoming.

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When Jack passed in 2015 and Marilyn in 2021, the fourth generation stepped forward. Today, John and Bonnie Nystrom proudly carry on the family’s tradition.

 

Much has changed in the world since 1942, but here at Nystrom’s, the heart of the experience is the same. Our Saturday-to-Saturday stays invite you to let go of the rush of everyday life, settle into the natural rhythm of the lake, and reconnect with what matters most.

 

For more than 75 years, guests have described Nystrom’s with the same words: “It feels like coming home.”