Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge

Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge, originally known as Freeman's Bass Lake Lodge, is a historic establishment situated on the northern shore of Bass Lake. Constructed by Buddy Freeman in 1941, the lodge, which initially consisted of a bar, restaurant, and rental cabins, was sold several times before its incorporation into The Pines Resort in 1975. Under the management of various owners, notably Maurice and Marie Ducey, the lodge saw the addition of a general store and campgrounds and an expansion of its unique collection of artifacts.

Ducey's Lodge
Ducey's on the Lake
Ducey's on the Lake is located in California
Ducey's on the Lake
Ducey's on the Lake
Ducey's on the Lake is located in the United States
Ducey's on the Lake
Ducey's on the Lake
General information
Location39255 Marina Drive
Bass Lake, CA
Coordinates37°19′8.32″N 119°33′25.35″W
Opening1941
Website
basslake.com

The lodge gained national attention when it featured in the 1987 film The Great Outdoors. However, a devastating kitchen fire in 1988 resulted in its destruction. Despite this setback, the Pines Resort moved quickly to rebuild, and in 1991 a new lodge, designed by local architect Michael Karby, opened a mile east of the original location.

History
Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge in the 1950s.

Buddy Freeman built Freeman's Bass Lake Lodge in 1941 on the northern shore of Bass Lake, roughly a mile west of the Pines Village. The lodge featured a bar, restaurant, and rental cabins.

In 1947, Freeman sold the lodge to Jeff Jeffords, Karl Briz, and A.C. Zingle, who in turn sold it to Maurice and Marie Ducey in 1950.[1] Under the Ducey's stewardship, a general store and campgrounds were added, and the lodge's assortment of Native American artifacts, guns, antiques, and taxidermy was significantly expanded. The lodge was known for attracting hunters, particularly those interested in bear, deer, and quail.[2]

In 1952, the lodge served as the headquarters for the filming of Hiawatha.[3]

The Duceys also renamed the establishment to Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge. The lodge changed hands again in 1968, when the Duceys retired and sold it to Al Westman.[4] A year later, it was purchased by Dr. Robert and Gloria Rickard. In 1975, it was integrated into The Pines Resort.

Ducey's Lodge was prominently featured in the film The Great Outdoors, which was shot on location in Bass Lake in October 1987.[5][6] The film set of the vacation cabin, designed on the backlot at Universal Studios, was intended to match the aesthetic of Ducey’s existing cabins.[7]

On June 2, 1988, a kitchen fire led to the lodge's destruction.[8] The complex layout of the building, with multiple attics and additions, hampered firefighting efforts. Four hours later, the slate porch and stone chimneys were all that remained of the once thriving lodge.

Ducey's on the Lake

The The Pines Resort swiftly commenced plans to rebuild following the destruction of the original lodge. Local architect Michael Karby (AIA/MCRP) was brought on board to design the new lodge. They chose a location along the lakeshore, about a mile east of the original Ducey's location, for the new structure.

Members of the Mono tribe marked the official opening of the new lodge on April 20, 1991, with a ceremonial dance.

During the rebuilding process, they made a concentrated effort to replace the artifacts collection lost in the 1988 fire. Remarkably, the fire had spared the original 12-foot Ducey's road sign, which now decorates the lobby. Hunting trophies and historical photographs that offer a visual history of the lake sit alongside the sign.

References
  1. "Resort Is Sold At Bass Lake". Madera Tribune. 1 February 1950. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  2. "Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge Ready For Deer Hunters". Madera Tribune. Vol. 62, no. 150. 1953-09-22. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  3. "Hollywood Uses Bass Lake Longfellow's 'Hiawatha' Story Before Cameras". Madera Tribune. No. 109. 1952-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  4. "Ducey's Lodge Sold For $350,000 Tag". Madera Tribune. 18 March 1968. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. John McKinney (November 12, 1995). "Wandering Around Bass Lake. Hiking: Southern Sierra Nevada".
  6. Dee, Jake (August 10, 2020). "10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Making Of The Great Outdoors". ScreenRant. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  7. "Fall's Lake - Log Cabin". The Studio Tour. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  8. "Fire Destroys Sierra Lodge". The Los Angeles Times. The Associated Press. June 4, 1988. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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