Once the land acquired, he made a demand to have 2 business associates join him. They were Kerwin Felton from Central Park New York and J. Irving Bramaley from New Rochelle New York. Mr. Felton was no other than the president of the Palmolive Company, the soap company, wich was established in the US.
The lease obtained by Mr. Craig, cost at the time, 10$/year, and was paid from 1924 to 1932 inclusively. So, in 1924, the three men started construction of a lodge that they would use for hunting and fishing. To access the lodge, one would have to travel for two days on horseback, travelling on what was then called, "The old portage road", wich was begining at the Charlo Fish Hatchery. This "new" road was built in the 1900's, and was primarily built so workers could have access to the forest to fight any potential forest fires.
The two American citizens had good reasons for renting such a rich in wildlife piece of land. In a letter written by one of them, in 1924, the writer tells us about a hunting and fishing expedition at Island Lake. They had bagged "1 lynx, 1 great horned owl, 2 whitetail deer, 3 bull moose, in addition to about 80 trouts and half a dozen fine black ducks". For unknow reasons, they abandonned the site in 1932. We can only speculate on the reasons for their departure, but the 1930's economical crises is the most probable one.
The other part of our story started in 1940, when the NBIP forest products, now Bowater Maritimes Inc, in Dalhousie,
acquired the lease of the land of the Island Lake, thus giving it a new vocation.
The company use the site to make partys in the intention of the retiring employees of the company.
It then created a members club, and only the company employees were allowed in this members club.
In order to access Island Lake the company built a 3 stage access road. The first part was built
from St-Maure to the 6 miles in 1936-1937, the second stage was built from the 6 miles to the 13th miles in 1938,
and from the 13th miles to the actual Island Lake site, wich was done in 1940.
Snowmobilers better know this road as the trail 19 of the NBSFC.
We have to remember that back then, that there was only one lodge at Island Lake. So, in 1946, the company
decided to build new installations next to the Main Lodge and 5 other locations, 1 at Murray Lake, 1 at Toungue Lake,
1 at Meadows Lake, 1 at Black Lake and another one at Upsalquitch Lake.
But, in 1952, the Main Lodge at Island Lake was the prey of the flames, and was completely destroyed
by fire. The only piece still standing was the fireplace, so during the same year, a new Lodge was built
around it. A picture of the Fireplace can be seen in the photo gallery.
Ten years later, in 1962, members of the club, made a demand to the NBIP, to take over the care of
the Island Lake, demand wich they were granted. They managed the site until 1967, but with financial problems,
they had to abandon the idea of keeping the club open.
It's only in 1978, after that the Ministry of Land and Mines had advised the persons responsible
for the club that they would burn all these installations if nothing was done with them,
that new interest came back to life at Island Lake.
Not wanting to loose these installations, a new group of people showed interest in the Island Lake,
but they were faced with problems right from the start. The cottages were in pitiful state, broken windows,
doors busted, roofs leaking etc. etc., but not giving up, they managed to bring the Island Lake back to life.
Since then, the Club continues to make regular activities at Island Lake providing cottages for
members and non-members alike, this at a resonable rate.
We hope that members will continue utilizing these facilities and participate in all of the Club's activities,
and that new members will join us in our success of keeping Island Lake opened,
since we all know that the installations that we now appreciate, were the result of numerous years
of labour and love for nature.