About the Resort

Big Balsam Camp on Big Balsam Lake was established in about 1927, it is the oldest resort on the eastern side of Itasca County that is still operating.

John William McCall and his wife Laura purchased the property in 1923, constructed cottages, and began renting them out by 1927.

In April of 1928, they sold the camp to Harry and Maude Pettit. They operated the resort until 1944 and it is believed that the lodge was built under their ownership.

John and Beulah Benston bought Big Balsam in May 1944. It was not a good fit for them, and within a year they sold it to Norman and Gertrude Anderson from Chicago.

In 1948, Max Unger bought it from the Andersons.

In March of 1951, Floyd “Davy” and Ruth Davis bought Big Balsam. They made many updates, including adding kitchens to the cabins.

In 1993, their son and daughter in law, Gordy and Jackie, bought the resort from them. The Davis family provided 73 years of dedicated ownership.

In 2024, Vince and Kay Skiba purchased the resort with the goal of continuing to host the many families that have been coming to the resort for generations.