SPRINGSTEAD, WI

Lenard & Zelma Teale (1932-1970)

In 1932, Lenard and Zelma Teale moved to Springstead and bought 40 acres accross from Big Muskey Lake called Burns Lake (now Teal Lake) and built a house. Over the years Leonard and son Bruce built a resort on Burns Lake, one cabin at a time until there were six cabins, a lodge which was their home, a saw mill, sheds and one main outhouse. Just as talented as they were with construction, Zelma Teale was an outstanding cook, so both European and American food were offered to their Guests. The resort opened in the spring for fishing season and stayed open until after hunting season. It was not long before word of mouth advertising booked the cabins two years in advance. The Teale's were very proud when the county changed the name of Burns Lake to Teal Lake to honor them for their role in the ecology of the area. Burns Lake probably got it's name from Randall W. Burns. Randall Burns was an attorney for the Northwest Railroad and built the first really big summer home on Springstead Lake about 1898.