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outlandish AWF Admin 
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Vandalism impedes on peaceful intrigue of Joyce Estate Britta Arendt Herald-Review Last Updated: Wednesday, July 27th, 2005 10:49:17 AM In its day, it was one of the most expansive, extravagant resort estates in northern Minnesota—given the Ojibwe name Nopeming, meaning place of rest, it was once the vacation property of logging empire heir David Gage Joyce. With more than 40 buildings and thousands of acres of land on beautiful Trout Lake, Nopeming was built in 1917 and was modeled after the Great Camps of the Adirondacks to resemble the resort estates of families such as the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. It featured all of the most modern amenities from its own nine-hole golf course, tennis court and airplane hangar to private telephone line and electricity to maids and butlers. Guests to Nopeming included some of the most famous and wealthy Americans of the time. When Beatrice Joyce Kean, the last remaining Joyce and once rumored to be the third wealthiest woman in the world, passed away in 1972, Nopeming attracted the attention of both the public and private sector. The Nature Conservatory acquired the property in 1973 for $2 million and ownership was transferred to the United States Forest Service in 1974 with the purpose to maintain and protect it as a refuge and historical site for the public to enjoy, just as Beatrice would have preferred. But this year, vandals have left some of the historic restored buildings damaged and parts totally destroyed. The incident caused disrespect to a peaceful and intriguing scenic area. “We received the report after Memorial Day that there was some ATV use and vandalism at the Joyce Estate,” explained Michelle Heiker, public services advisor with the USFS. When Heiker went out to the estate to investigate the damage, she said she found a lot of garbage, ATV tracks, damage done to the patio area and a window broken on the main lodge. One of the most terrible findings, some of the original shutters were torn off and burned in the main lodge fireplace. But the vandals were looking to do more than just stay warm. According to Heiker, the box which displayed the Historical Preservation Award given to the USFS for restoration efforts was also damaged. “They pulled the box off, but fortunately, they didn’t take it,” said Heiker. Located within the Trout Lake Semiprimitive Nonmotorized Area (SNA), the Joyce Estate is usually a quiet place. Miles of primitive roads and trails within the SNA welcome hikers, skiers, bikers and hunters and provide access to historic Nopeming. In fact, the SNA and the Joyce Estate are closed to all motorized traffic so the only way to visit the site is by way of a two-mile hike to the north entrance or a three-mile hike from the south. Visitors may also boat or canoe to the Joyce Estate and campers are allowed to stay on the property but they must be at least 200 yards away from the main compound and camp only in designated primitive campsites. “We’re fortunate that it is located in an isolated area and vandalism doesn’t happen very often,” said Heiker. Kent Lederman, law enforcement officer with the USFS who is investigating the Joyce Estate incident said, “ATV use has become a problem within the Trout Lake area.” Lederman and Heiker are both working with the Trout Lake area lake associations to promote more awareness in order to prevent any future ATV damage to the area. Heiker said the investigation has provided the USFS with a good idea of the persons responsible for the vandalism. “There are quite a few people who live near the Trout Lake access, and we’re asking them to keep their eyes and ears open,” said Heiker who explained that the USFS fixed the lock on the gated entrance and installed more barrier posts to keep motorized vehicles out of the property. She said there is still a little more clean-up to be done and the USFS hopes to replace the shutters sometime soon. “Years ago when the forest service first acquired the property, the buildings had all the original furniture but even though they were locked and a caretaker still lived onsite, there was a lot of theft,” said Heiker. “The caretaker even remembers seeing someone with a snowmobile pulling a dresser away. But since then, people have been pretty good at watching for anything suspicious.” The forest service asks anyone who sees ATVs in the area or even vehicles pulling trailers with ATVs toward the access point to the SNA to call the forest service or 911 to reach the sheriff’s department during off hours. Wabana Lake resident and co-author of “Timber Connections: The Joyce Lumber Story,” Susan Hawkinson hopes that more people will realize the historical value of the estate and respect it. She said the lake association is collecting money to help with the cleanup and taking other steps, such as increased vigilance, to prevent future damage to the site. For more information, or to report suspicious activity, contact the USFS at 246-2123
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