Lois Eisbach grew up near Duluth, Minnesota, where she developed a deep connection to nature by picking and foraging wild, organic blueberries. When she and John Sr. purchased the Wooded Wonderland property, she carried that passion with her, planting a vast blueberry patch in 1963 that would bloom into a symbol of her love for the earth and its natural gifts. This berry patch was planted with the intent to connect people with the land and allow them to come out and pick blueberries.

In the early to mid-1970s, the Eisbach family brought their vision to life by opening Wooded Wonderland to the public. They introduced a unique experience, offering pick-your-own blueberries, camping, and trail rides, inviting visitors to connect with nature and create lasting memories on the land they had nurtured with love and care.

Pictured: John Sr. & John Jr. (Papa)

In 1959, John Sr. and John Jr. (Papa) planted 40,000 red pine trees on their land, a total of 100,000 trees were planted over the years. They envisioned these trees being cared for organically and used as a crop. Each tree stood as a testament to their dedication and hard work.

Though John Sr. passed away before he could see them reach their full potential due to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma caused by pesticide exposure, not of his own doing. His vision lives on in the towering trees, a powerful reminder of John’s unwavering commitment to the land and the future. 

John Jr. passionately carried forward his father's vision, building a sawmill on the land and cultivating a sustainable approach to timber. He carefully and selectively harvested the trees, always preserving the integrity of the land by avoiding clear-cutting. With dedication, he crafted specialty wood products for his clients, each piece reflecting his commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and a legacy of thoughtful stewardship of the land.

“John Eisbach, 22, of Galena holds a handful of mulched hay which he uses in his organic potato patch.”

Papa’s love for planting potatoes began when he was a young man, sparking a lifelong passion for nurturing his own organic potato patch. This dedication to the land and the simple joy of growing has been passed down to us, inspiring a legacy of care and connection to the earth.

When we were younger, we’d eagerly join in to help with the harvest of the potatoes. Those moments are memories that will stay with us forever. As Papa would always laugh and say, "Don’t stab the potatoes while digging!" Let’s just say, there were plenty of potatoes that ended up with a little extra "character," making those days even more memorable.