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100 years at Bear Lake

This is Bear Lake Resort today.Holly Neumann Photo Pictured is the original building at Bear Lake Resort.Submitted Photo This is the Camp Store at Bear Lake.
Holly Neumann Photo The Tiki Hut is a summer hot spot for Bear Lake visitors.
Holly Neumann Photo
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The Tiki Hut is a summer hot spot for Bear Lake visitors. Holly Neumann Photo

Conroy family celebrates campground’s centennial

By Holly Neumann


The Conroy family is celebrating its 100-year anniversary of running a family business.

It all started in 1857 when Dennis Conroy and his brother-in-law James Carew were given some land as part of the Homestead Act.

“As part of that agreement, they had to make improvements,” said 91-year-old Bob Conroy. “And that is just what they did. Once improvements were made. they were given the title.”

People leased parts of the land to build cottages, while the Conroys built some of their own to rent out to people visiting the area.

Dennis Conroy was one of the original owners of Bear Lake Resort.
Submitted Photo

On July 4, 1919, Bear Lake Resort opened its doors for the first time.

“Back then it was just a pop stand and dance hall,” said Bob. “It was owned by my father Ralph and grandfather Henry.”

According to Bob, his father had talked his grandfather into building the facility after World War II.

“Dance halls were going up all over the place,” he said. “People started pestering them to do something here. And thank God he did.”

With Prohibition preventing the sale of alcohol, the facility was used mainly as a dance hall.

“Friday night was our night for dances,” said Bob. “And we filled in on other days when nothing else was going on. I loved dancing and I was pretty good then, but I cannot dance much anymore.”

Bear Lake Resort once had an ice cream stand that stood where the Tiki Hut stands today.

“It opened in 1957 and lasted until 1976,” said Bob. “They sold ice cream, popcorn, sandwiches, some groceries, ice, nuts and burgers for 10 cents. They even had a juke box and pinball machine.”

Campground added

In 1959, a campground was added to the facility.

At one point, the county highway ran through the campground, but it became too dangerous and was closed in 1973.

Bob and his brother Pat took over the bar from their father Ralph in 1948-76.

Bob and his wife Mary later operated the facility.

“I guess you could say it was an accident of birth,” laughed Bob. “I grew up here. I just drifted into running the business. I was 20 at the time. Pat was 22. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Over the years, he saw the building used for boxing, archery, roller-skating, bingo and more.

He also saw his nieces and nephews get baptized, married or hold their wedding receptions there.

“There is a lot of history in these walls,” he said. “There are not many family businesses are like that.”

There have been a lot of changes through the years.

Fifth generation

Ryan and Emily Conroy are part of the fifth generation running the resort today.
Holly Neumann Photo

Today, Bear Lake Resort and Campground is owned and operated by the fifth generation of the Conroy family – Joe and Bridget Conroy-Bailey and Ryan and Emily Conroy.

The campground was purchased in 1996 from their parents, Pat and Joan.

Bob and Mary operated the resort until 2001.

“We know nothing else,” said Ryan. “We, too, have grown up here. During my childhood, I had the bestback yard of anyone –the world’s best playground.”

“It was a part of us,” added Bridget. “I think we always knew this was something that we would do one day.”

The campground has 166 sites with 30 amp power and water, a camp store, kayak and paddle boats, mini golf, a playground, laundry mat, flush toilets and showers, lakefront camp sites, a beach and more.

The bar has been renovated over the past years, and the Tiki Hut is a summer hot spot for people visiting the facility.

Creating memories

Joe and Bridget Conroy-Bailey are also part of the fifth generation of the family owning and operating the business today.
Holly Neumann Photo

“We’re the center of the universe, a little slice of heaven,” said Bridget. “We want out guests to be creating memories here with their families, just like we have.”

“The lake is a great lake,” added Ryan. “You have to drive three hours north of here to have what we have here. We want our guests to come here, relax and just get away from everything.”

“And our trees re amazing,” said Bob. “It preserves that rustic look that we have always had.”

Hard work, long hours and treating people right have been the keys to their success.

“You cannot just sit back and wait for people to come,” said Bridget. “If you have an empty weekend, you need to fill it with something.”

They seems to have it all from vintage camping weekends to live music and the Snodeo.

“We try to do a little of everything to keep people coming back for more,” she said.

They also host numerous fundraising events throughout the year.

“Our community supports us, and we have to support them,” said Bridget. “Everyone knows everybody, and we have to help each other out.”

Their hope for the future is simply to keep getting bigger and stronger and to stay busy.

“We are thankful that our family didn’t choose to be farmers,” laughed Bridget. “That would have not lasted a minute for us.”

The Conroys encourage everyone to check out their facilities.

For more information about what is taking place there the rest of summer, visit Bear Lake Resort on Facebook or its website at www.bearlakecampground.com.

Bear Lake Resort is located at N4715 State Highway 22 and 110, Manawa.

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