The YMCA Camp Manitou has been in operation at Bertram Lakes since 1972. It was located at the south entrance of the current park for over 35 years and has served many thousands of kids with a great camping experience. But, as we all know, times change and two of the original buildings were recently demolished as they had become in disrepair. The “main building” and the “change house” were the buildings removed.

The change house was the place where campers would change into their swimsuits for their time at the beach. It was also used as a storage facility for the smaller sailboats on which the older campers learned to sail.

One year a group of campers decided to dress up the change house by painting the west end of the building. The scene was one of a lake (maybe Bertram) with pictures of some of the animals that inhabit the park ~ beaver, deer, loons, bass, cranes and trees. The only painting out of place is that of a castle. Each character had the name of the camper who painted it next to it. See the pictures in this tidbit.

Halloween is the time of year when ghosts, witches and goblins appear to wreak havoc in the world!  During the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the staff at YMCA Camp Manitou created the “Trail of Terror” which would include ghosts, skeletons, goblins, witches, and zombies. The trail wound through some of the Bertram property where younger kids riding on a hay wagon would be “scared out of their wits” by the hidden Monsters! It became very popular among area kids and they would look forward to it each year as the leaves began to fall.

For many years, even today, because of the YMCA Camp, the area was referred to as Camp Manitou, a Native American name meaning “Mystical Spirit”. The Bertram Lakes have since become known for its mysteries as strange things have happened there. (See my earlier tidbit, “Hatchet Harry”)

One of these stores is in the form of a tree, the “Witch Tree”. The story is that of a witch who lived in and haunted the area in the past. She grew old but wished to live on, so she turned herself into a sturdy oak tree. She still haunts the woods today with her mangled arms and spooky warts!

I cannot tell you where she is because you need to explore and find her for yourself! When you find her, please take pictures to share, but “warning” don’t stand too close!

Andrew H. Bertram was the eldest son of George Bertram.  He was born July 15, 1842 in New York, New York.  By 1862, after the Civil War broke out, he had answered the call to arms made by President Lincoln and enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Company E of the Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.

Also, during that year came  the outbreak of what has become known as the “Dakota War of 1862”. Andrew’s newly formed Company E was not sent to fight in the Civil War, as other volunteers were, but were sent to deal with the immediate crisis at home in Minnesota.

The following is an excerpt from Andrew’s poem written by him in 1878, as a tribute to his fellow volunteers. this portion of the poem covers only the period of time they spent in and around the Monticello and Bertram Lakes area.

We are ordered now to Ripley
Where we must learn the drill,
So we bid “Goodbye” to Snelling
And leave it with a will.

We then march to Monticello
Where our tents are quickly set
The circumstance of which, I think
Our Citizens don’t forget —
We were led to tables groaning
With the weight of richest food,
Which we ate with keenest relish
For our fare had not been good.
We were grateful for the blessings
Our Mothers had prepared
But the way we showed our gratitude
Looked as though we never cared.
The first night we stole chickens
Which created quite a fuss
But we were not suspected,
They never thought ’twas Us.

So things continued daily
The Boys were out each night
Some came back quite early
Others at broad daylight.
But they never came back empty
A Turkey, Pig or Sheep,
So we drew most all our retirees
While the Farmers were asleep.

At last we received orders
To continue on our way
And the People of Monticello
Thanked the Lord that day.

George Bertram was one of the founders of Excelsior, Minnesota, a town known for its history, both Native and Current.

But, what motivates a person who has become comfortable in the largest city in the United States, to gather his family and move to the “frontier”?

We cannot look inside the mind of the man but we can look at some of the historical events that may have influenced his decision.

1)      The Traverse Du Sioux Treaty of 1851

As mentioned in a prior Tidbit, this treaty ceded to the United States Government most of the land of the current Minnesota from the Sioux. In so doing, the land was open for claim and settlement by the citizens of the United States. George must have seen this as a great opportunity, especially considering his religious views.

2)      Religion

The era from 1825 – 1850 was a time of renewal and re-creation for religions in America, although the northern states still kept the basic community concept established by the Puritans and the Pilgrims. This concept held the belief that the community of the people and their faith was one and the same. George Bertram believed this and it was instrumental in his vision of Excelsior and eventually Monticello.

3)      Technology

In the 1840’s two events were to affect George Bertram’s life. One was an expansion (railroads) and the other was an invention (sewing machine). Railroads (mostly privately owned) began opening up the frontier for settlement and George saw this as an opportunity to make his “dream” to create a new society come true. Couple this with Elias Howe’s invention of the sewing machine and he saw his chance. Remember, Bertram was a tailor and with the new sewing machine finding its way into the homes and factories, his livelihood was being threatened.

In 1952 Bertram made his way west, eventually landing in St. Anthony, Minnesota. From there he traveled west by ox cart and then boat to the west side of  Lake Minnetonka where he made a government claim to 160 acres of  land, later to become the city of Excelsior.

Upon his return to New York, Bertram began working on his plan to establish the Excelsior Pioneer Association and spent the winter of 1852-53 soliciting memberships. To be a member, the initial fee would be $8 and $1 per week dues for the next 8 months. Each member (male), self or family, was to be provided with a farm and one village lot of not less than 1 acre, selected by a drawing from the 160 acres.

In 1853 the Bertram’s arrived and built their home. George became the first president of the new “association” and church services were conducted in his home.

But, for various reasons that were speculated (religious, leadership, conditions, $, etc.) the Bertram’s moved back to St. Anthony in 1854. The town of Excelsior survived to become a thriving vacation spot for many years to come.

The following quote appeared in the Minneapolis Farmer’s Union paper on April 5, 1873, edited by Col. J. H. Stevens:

Kids on Giant Squash, Vintage Wisconsin Postcard

“I sent you a few seeds of my Mammoth Squash. I raised it last year, and had it on exhibition at our county fair. It was far ahead of anything of the kind that had ever been seen here. It weighed 142 pounds, measured 6′, 7″ around length-ways and 5′, 9″ around over the top. The color was sage green, deeply ribbed and finely netted all over like a nutmeg melon. The flesh was from 6-8″ in thickness, and of a deep orange color. I baked some in the oven, and it was the sweetest squash I ever tasted. Everyone who saw it wanted seeds, so I have put them up in papers and am selling them. I got about 600 seeds from the squash. I was sorry I had not sent it to the State Fair. I heard there was one there that weighed 140 pounds. I think this is the largest one that has been raised in the State. I was going to call it Minnesota Mammoth Squash, but thought I would give the name to Wright County. We can raise as big things here as anywhere. There will be great strife in raising big squash up here this year. All who can get seeds are going to try.  This package I send you is the only one that will leave the county, except one I send to a friend of mine in New Jersey. Let us hear what you can make out with it.

Yours truly,

Geo. M. Bertram.

Monticello, March 17,1873”

Note: Besides being a tailor by trade, George Bertram, along with his wife, Julia, were avid gardeners who grew much of their own fresh vegetables and fruits.