5/26/13 – Back in 1957, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters was started as a spin off from Sawbill Lodge, which had been operating on Sawbill Lake since the early 1930s. The founder of Sawbill Lodge, Jean Raiken, had a nephew, Phil Higley, who worked at the lodge in the ’40s and returned annually to visit after starting his career.
Phil’s son, Phil Jr., worked here at the outfitters while he was in college back in the 1970s before starting a successful business career in the Twin Cities.
This summer, Phil’s wife, Barb, is working as a clerk at the Tofte Forest Service Ranger Station, issuing permits for BWCA Wilderness visitors. Phil commutes up on weekends to visit Barb and will be spending time here at Sawbill too.
It is great to have the Higley’s back at Sawbill, maintaining a family connection going back more than 80 years.
If you stop at the Tofte Ranger Station, be sure to say hi to Barb. – Bill