09/01/2026
For the month of September, we will focus on things that don’t exist anymore. As part of the arrangement Dorothy had with the U.S. Forest Service, after her death the Isles of Pines (her islands) would be returned to a wilderness state. This involved getting rid of the buildings and other structures still there.
After the Memorial Snowmobile ride in 1987 to honor Dorothy's life, a group of people known as Dorothy’s Angels got the idea to bring out as much of the what was left at the Isles of Pines as they could to preserve Dorothy’s memory. Unfortunately, due to the limited grace period and unseasonally warm weather, not all buildings were able to be brought out. These now only exist in photos and memories.
Likely the most remembered of the structures on the Isles of Pines was McGee's Tent, or the “Root Beer Tent.” This tent resided on the northeast satellite island known as the Summer Island, and greeted tens of thousands of visitors over the years.
Dorothy began making root beer in 1953 as a way to make additional income in addition to her fishing resort. Visitors would grab an ice cold root beer from the Coca-Cola cooler to enjoy.
In this photo, you can see exactly that. You can also see many of the signs that Dorothy’s brother, Bud Molter made such as: KWITCHURBELIAKIN, WE DON’T MAKE MISSTEAKS, and IT MADE MILWAUKEE JEALOUS. On the back of the photo is written “Root beer anybody!”
Did you ever try Dorothy’s root beer?
Collection of the DMM 2012.001.1248.314: Root Beer Anybody!
