The Lake Five Resort was originally introduced to Montana's summertime recreationists in the early twenties, operated under the name Retiro Cabins. James H. Ridenour and his wife, Oni Maude filed on a homestead on the shore of Lake Five in 1915. After constructing a log home from the woods and clearing the necessary five acres for farm and garden space, these early pioneers continued to build a barn and outbuildings. Their ample garden produce soon caught the attention of visitors to Glacier National Park and the area around Belton, which would eventually become West Glacier. While visiting the Ridenour gardens, two families from Great Falls, Montana became infatuated with the serenity and beauty of the setting. They informed the Ridenours of their interest in contracting for summer lodging if accommodations were built. Jim fashioned a couple log cabins and in the summer of 1922, Retiro Cabins was formed.That's how things began at this delightful vacation retreat more than ninety years ago. The enterprise evolved and has been handed down through succeeding generations. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Jim and Maude Ridenour are now operating the business, continuing to please guests with quality service and the casual and peaceful setting of Lake Five. With the addition of power boating, water sports and trailer home camping, the Retiro Cabins name was changed to the Lake Five Resort.
Some people have been coming back to this magic setting through almost all of these years. Others return after years of obligation in other parts of the world to find things relatively unchanged, as wonderful as their memories from childhood.
One long timer said they wouldn't be vacationing at Lake Five one summer because of plans to travel to California, but the kids had a say in the matter. They told their parents that if going to California meant they couldn't go to Lake Five, they "didn't want to go to Disneyland."
2007 © Lake Five Resort
540 Belton Stage Road
PO Box 338
West Glacier, Montana 59936
406-387-5601
lakefive@centurytel.net