The Story:
In the late 1800s, Bob Star, an entrepreneurial lumber man, purchased a large tract of land in northern Vilas county. Of all the places to call home, he selected the east edge of a pond teaming with wildlife and a beautiful sunset view. He named the pond Bob’s Lake.
Otter Pond cottage rests on a small hill which boasts an unobstructed southerly vista of Bob’s Lake, which is now surrounded by a license game preserve and a sliver of private land the preserve caretakers call home.
In the 1950s, Walt Disney staff, scouting for a film location, recognized Bob’s Lake’s beauty and selected it to be the site where “Flash the Teenage Otter” would be filmed.
Preserve owners, Pat and Bruce Wilsie - who also found founded Aqualand Wildlife Zoo and fish hatchery - provided much of the wildlife used in the film. A favorite family memory is captured in a photo showing Kelly Wilsie crouch low and managing Sam, the bobcat extra, who played a villain and Flash’s arch enemy. Sam, tame as a house cat and Kelly’s personal pet, was enticed to look fierce by dangling a cat nip- laced, stuffed mouse over his head, just off camera.
When the zoo closed in 1989 that portion of the former preserve was purchased by White Birch Village. The heirs to the White Birch family have selected vacation properties much the same as Bob Star, facing the western sky. A small portion of the land remains with the resort and is utilized for the guest picnicking, recreation and worker housing. Today Bob’s Lake remains pristine. Not much has changed. Swans, cranes, heron, loon, ducks, geese, eagles, and redwing blackbirds make up the pond’s aviary list while otter, beaver, muskrat, ferret, weasel, fisher, bobcat, fox, deer and on rare occasion timberwolves and bears come to the waters edge for a sip or swim.
Special Details:
Located on County K, Wisconsin's beautiful Rustic Road 60, Otter Pond Retreat sits above the road, overlooking beautiful Bob's Lake, surrounded by private game preserve.
To the back lay miles of state forest, ready to welcome hearty boondock hikers and cross country skiers
Your hosts live next door- not visible to your stay, but available should the need arise.
The Heart of Vilas Bike trail system is minutes away. American Legion State Forest borders the cottage land. You are minutes from swimming, kayaking and boating in either direction on Trout Lake, Star Lake, White Sand Lake, White Birch, Ballard and Irving lakes- a three lake chain.
Otter Pond Retreat Features Include:
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring throughout
- Tile kitchen backsplash and Bathroom tub/ shower surround
- Granite and Marble countertops
- Hi-Speed Internet connection
- TV/DVD player and DVD collection
- Classic fiction and birder Books by area authors
- BoseWave Radio with aux connection
- Wood Burning Fireplace
- Screen Room
- Two Person Hot Tub under Pergola Shelter
- Fire Bowl with four Adirondack chairs
- Convertible Cuisinart Gas Grill, Griddle, Pizza Oven