About Us

Here at Handberg's, we are pleased to offer you products and services that go back in our family four generations and date back to 1926. In fact, generation number five is in the early training years. Since the 1920s we have been serving fishermen, vacationers, visitors, and residents of the Crane Lake area.

In about 1913, my great grandfather, John G. "Jack" Handberg (Ruby), came to Crane Lake in the employ of the United States Forest Service as a ranger. He was stationed here for about 10 years until parting company with them around 1923. He then started Handberg's Northwoods Lodge. In 1926 he became a dealer for Johnson Outboard Motors, mainly to have motors for the lodge. His son, John G. "Gil" Handberg (Edna), carried on and got more into boat and motor sales and service. In 1969 Gil and Edna's daughter, Shirley, and husband Jim Sanborn took over and started building the marina along with some of the storage operations you see today.

1996 brought the fourth generation, Jeff and Lori Sanborn, into the ownership picture adding new products, more storage, and upgrades to the marina. We are very pleased to still offer Johnson motors along with many other fine products and services to the people who live in and visit our area. Generation number five is growing up and hopefully will someday add their mark to our family's long heritage in the area.

We invite you to check out our products and services. Thank you for taking the time to consider us for your recreational needs.

Sincerely,

Jeff, Lori, John, Scott, and Staff