Legacy Lodge

Set on six acres in beautiful Sawyer County, Legacy Lodge is right across the street from historic Barker Lake Golf Course. A true Northwoods retreat, originally named Barker Lake Lodge, this property was founded in 1929 by legendary beer baron and friend of Al Capone, Joe Saltis.

Barker Lake Lodge was built in 1929 by the famous Joe Saltis. Saltis, pictured below, was a a Joliet saloon keeper and bootlegger, referred to as “Polack Joe.” Saltis spent an estimated $100,000 into building this rustic two-story cedar log lodge, cabins and nine-hole golf course. Located Near Al Capone’s Hideout.

Joe was credited with establishing the first Peace Agreement between all the Rival Gangs that included Al Capone.

What may have been a contributing factor is Joe Saltis’s partner Frank McErlane considered Chicago’s toughest thug at the time was responsible for using the first Thompson SubMachine gun to settle a dispute in 1925. Numerous brass cartridge shells have been discovered on the property while planting over 60 trees, photos are on display in the New York Times Article Below.

In the Spring of 2011, while expanding an entry to one log cabin 15 bullets were divinely discovered lodged inside the interior wall. Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographer Gary Porter published rare prohibition relics in the Wisconsin State Journal article linked below.