OUR STORY

OUR HISTORY

Braywood’s history starts well before 1949.

Billy Bray & Frances Woods

Billy Bray and Frances Woods were professional dancers who traveled and performed together as Woods & Bray throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

Frances was deaf from birth. Billy learned sign language, and together they developed a way for Frances to follow the rhythm and timing of the music through movement and physical cues. They went on to perform around the country alongside some of the biggest names and orchestras of the era.

Their travels eventually brought them to Eagle River, where they performed at the Jack O’Lantern Lodge.

While spending time in the area, they noticed that many Northwoods resorts still relied on shared bathroom facilities. They saw an opportunity for something more modern and decided to build a motel of their own.

1949 | The Braywood

In 1949, Billy and Frances opened The Braywood on Catfish Lake.

The motel had 16 rooms, each with its own private bathroom, which was uncommon for Northwoods lodging at the time. Guests had direct access to Catfish Lake and the Eagle River Chain.

The name came from their own:

BRAY + WOODS = BRAYWOOD

Billy and Frances operated Braywood for more than 20 years before selling the property in 1970.

1970s to 1990s | A Changing Braywood

Over the next several decades, Braywood changed hands and continued to develop.

The property expanded beyond its original motel operation and gradually became known for its bar, restaurant and lakefront setting.

2000s | On Catfish Lake

By the 2000s, Braywood had become a well established stop on the Eagle River Chain.

Friday fish fries, the waterfront bar and restaurant, boat traffic in the summer and snowmobile traffic in the winter all became part of the business.

The property continued to change over the years, while much of the original Braywood remained.

2026 | The Next Chapter

In 2026, Braywood entered a new chapter.

Updates to the property included a new lakefront deck, new docks and improvements throughout the building and grounds.

Today, Braywood operates as a bar and restaurant on the same Catfish Lake property where Billy Bray and Frances Woods opened their motel in 1949.

The business has changed considerably over more than 75 years, but the original name and location remain.

An outdoor scene featuring a large, empty shuffleboard court with numbered sections, a grassy area, a building with an outdoor patio with umbrellas, and a clear blue sky with some clouds and the sun shining brightly.
Outdoor patio area with multiple tables and chairs, red umbrellas with white branding, adjacent to a red building with a white half-moon window and surrounded by green trees, on a wooden deck under a partly cloudy sky.
Outdoor patio with wooden flooring, round tables, red umbrellas, string lights, and trees near a body of water during dusk.
People gathered at a waterfront park during fireworks at night, with boats on the water and trees lining the area.
An aerial view of a lakeside area featuring a building, parking area with cars, a sand volleyball court, a grassy picnic area with tables, a boat dock with boats, and lush green trees surrounding the area.
People gathered outdoors at a nighttime event with fireworks lighting up the sky, large red umbrellas with Coca-Cola branding, and various tents or canopies.
Night scene at a marina with boats and colorful lights reflecting on the water, crowd of people on the grass and a basketball court in the foreground.
A lakeside scene at sunset with a grassy foreground, a dock extending into the water, an American flag and a blue flag flying near the shore, a 'Old Style' beer banner, and a line of trees in the distance across the water.

PRIVATE WINTER IGLOOS

Come experience winter at Braywood in your own private heated igloo!

❄️ Heated private igloos
🍽️ Full food & drink menu
👥 Up to 8 guests
🥃 Full table service

25% gratuity added