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About
Croftville
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A century ago Croftville was a bustling community of independent fishermen; hardworking
families of pioneers harvesting the abundant fish of Lake Superior for shipment to inland
seaports throughout the great lakes. Their work was difficult and sometimes dangerous but
their spirit prevailed and was a historic part of the building of this beautiful shoreline.
Fishermen would skid their boats up out of the raging lake on long logs; thereby keeping them
from being smashed to bits on the rocky shoreline. Today the commercial fishing in Croftville
is gone but some of the private residences still have their original fish houses remaining.
The lake remains a spectacular part of one of America's favorite areas for breathtaking views
and lush wilderness for everyone to experience, treasure, and enjoy.
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Before
Croftville Road Cottages
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The property that Croftville Road Cottages is located on has belonged to a number of fishing
families from 1890 to 1928. Past owners include Frederick and Annie Jackson, William McLaunie,
Frank and Susan Fallant, W. J. Horner, Joseph and Jenny Croft, Karl Johnson, and Edward and
Anna Johnson. The Crofts who were part of the large family (many of whom still have property here)
that Croftville is named after. In 1928 the property became the home of the Carlson family who sold
fish at their fish houses into the 1970's. Margaret Carlson still lives next door and still owns the
fish house she and her husband once operated. In 1973 Bill and Sylvia Mueller bought the Croftville
Road Cottages property. Bill Mueller put a new foundation under the house, relocated the cottages to their
current locations and then did a series of additions to both the cottages and house. He rented the
cottages out as vacation units, ran a store in the basement of the house, and ran a small campground.
After Bill Mueller's death the property remained unoccupied for many years until his son, Keith Mueller, sold the
property in 2003 to Mike and Teresa Chmelik and Phil and Paige Kochan.
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About
Croftville Road Cottages
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The Chmeliks with the help of their good friends, the Kochans, purchased their dream property
to raise their family in the summer of 2003. That summer and fall was spent making the house
habitable while the pregnant Teresa and son Joey lived in a borrowed camper trailer until Halloween.
Mike was still commuting to work in Rochester. 2004 was spent cleaning the property up after years
of neglect and making plans. 2005 and 2006 have been used to extensively renovate the cottages.
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