The Flagstaff House was originally built as a summer cabin in 1929 by Chicago schoolteacher Hattie Bilchert. In 1937 park ranger Joe van Gorder bought the cabin as a place to host special events. Later in 1954 the Buelkes family purchased the property, coined it “The Flagstaff House,” and re-established it as an elegant summer restaurant. When the Flagstaff House next became available for purchase Don Monette jumped at the opportunity. He had always wanted to own just one restaurant that was truly “fine dining” and to be able to concentrate on making it an incredible experience for our guests.