In 1948 Carl Marty Jr. opened the Northernaire Hotel and Spa just outside of Three Lakes. The resort's luxury accommodations, including a swimming pool, stables, golf course and nightclub (called the Showboat), earned it the nickname "The Waldorf of the Wilderness." One of its best-know features was the Chicken-In-The-Woods restaurant, whose diners could watch friendly deer and other domesticated wildlife from the windows. The posh Northernaire attracted celebrities and affluent guests from across the country until Marty's death in 1979 at the are of 80.
Since the property has been turned into condominiums, following lengthy legal battles regarding bankruptcy, ownership, and zoning.
Marty was known for his writings about wild animals. See the bibliography.