Shangri-La Resort - A Northwoods Legacy
A story of family, friendship, and the early days of Deerskin Lake
For Julius Bukalski, a Milwaukee insurance executive, and his nephew, Richard Gubala, the lure of “The Northwoods” began long before World War II. The two traveled to Vilas County to spend time on Hunter Lake. Fishing, hunting, and the peacefulness of a quiet lake and dense forest was the attraction - which after the war turned into a quest to establish a business and home in the area.
Building a Dream
In the late 1940s, Julius and his wife, Sophie, purchased a sweeping parcel of land stretching from Highway 17 to the Nicolet National Forest. Julius named it Shangri-La, reflecting the deep sense of refuge the land offered.
The late 1940’s and 1950’s was a time Milwaukee and Chicago families journeyed North, leveraging their precious one or two week vacation to escape city life. As they say, “it was a simple time” spent enjoying the peace and quiet with family and friends. Highlights were catching “the big one”, observing the abundant wild and bird life, and watching a sunset as the fireflies started to emerge.
A Resort Takes Shape
Shangri-La Resort became part of that trend. Julius and Richard constructed five cottages and a main house, using lumber produced from their own sawmill. Each summer friends of the Bukalski’s would reserve their vacation week which took on a sense of an annual reunion.
Shangri-La also featured something special: the only bar on the lake. It was not unusual for folks to row across the lake to have a “cold one” and spend time with other vacationers and residents.
The Gubala Family Moves North
In the early 1950’s, Richard and Margaret (Weber) Gubala and their daughter, Louise, moved from Milwaukee to Deerskin Lake. Margaret was born and raised in Eagle River, meeting Richard at Zimpleman’s Ice Cream Parlor (now Tremblay’s Fudge shop). Her family ties to Eagle River which dated back to 1918, and Richard’s love of the outdoors was too much to resist, hence the move back.
The young couple were a great help to the Bukalski’s. Margaret managed the books and Richard would help bartend regaling the customers with great fishing and hunting stories.
“Yearly guests grew into close “summer friends.” Traditions formed around Chicago hot dog nights, endless home-movie screenings, and kids’ swimming antics immortalized on film. Shangri-La became both a vacation and a reunion—its cottages filled with laughter and stories that stretched across decades.”
Expanding Community
During the 1950s, the Bukalski’s began to sell lake lots to friends. Homes were built, sometimes using lumber from the resort’s sawmill. Prime examples include:
The William & Irene Zehner property (split into two properties now owned by Matt & Dawn Kasper and Ray & Judy Roberts)
Relocated cottages along Shangri-La Road - Matt and Mary Smialek, Sue Puncochar (half the cottage)
The beloved “Honeymoon Cottage” with its porch and fireplace, eventually replaced by the home now owned by Richard Raddock and his son, Lance
The main house today is occupied by Gregg Gimse.
Through the 60’s it remained an enclave of Julius and Sophie’s Milwaukee friends.
Leadership & Legacy
The Gubala family remained on the lake with Richard serving as the first President of the Deerskin Lake Association and as the Town of Washington Constable. The family continued their outgoing hospitality, hosting musky fry’s (Richard was an excellent musky fisherman), teaching visitors how to waterski, and putting on a waterski and trick water disc show on many a Sunday afternoon.
The original 1918 log cabin is the core of the residence with renovations made to preserve the integrity and 70+ years of Gubala family memories.
Today, Louise (Gubala) Dill and her husband, Rudi, spend their summers on the lake.
There is no doubt the lure of the Northwoods remains and a walk down Shangri-La Road evokes memories of a time gone by, but not forgotten.
Have photos, stories, or memories of Shangri-La?
Share them with the Deerskin Lake History Project.
Special thank you to Teri Landry and Louise Dill for bringing this story to life!
Photos shared by Daun Gardner-Kasper and Louise Dill.