Watch Lake Lodge, a working guest ranch located in the South Cariboo region of British Columbia, Canada, will mark 75 years of continuous ownership by the Horn family on November 1, 2025. In an era when true family owned and operated businesses are increasingly rare, this milestone anniversary stands as a tribute to the generations of loyal guests who have formed a lasting, family-like bond with the Horns over the past 75 years.
Originally a hunting, fishing and kid’s camp known as Lakeview Resort in the 1930’s that consisted of just seven log cabins, Shorty and Alice Horn took ownership on November 1,1950 and began turning it into what exists today. After changing the name to Watch Lake Lodge, the most significant change made was the addition of horses with the intention of running trail rides for guests, which is what they are best known for today. There are now 12 cabins on site (including seven originals built in the 1930s) equipped with cookstoves, refrigerators, electricity and water.
Running the present-day operations as sole proprietor and cattle owner is Enid “Dimps” Horn, who was just three years old in 1950 when Watch Lake Lodge was acquired by her parents.
Helping as a child by saddling horses, chopping wood and carrying water to guests, Dimps, now 77, has no plans to stop but does understand the importance of pausing to reflect.
Watch: Dimps Horn – Full of Heart in Watch Lake
“It’s hard to wrap my head around 75 years and believe we’ve reached this milestone”, says Dimps. “The uniqueness of this place is the fact I’ve grown up with 90 per cent of the clientele that still come here on a yearly basis. It’s a rare gift to share decades of connection with guest who feel more like family and keep the spirit of this special place alive.”
One such returning guest is Jan Monteyne. Born and raised in Edmonton, Jan now lives in California but continues to visit annually.
“Watch Lake Lodge has been part of my life since I was a child,” says Jan. “My family started going to Watch Lake Lodge in 1956 when I was 5 Years old. It’s where some of my best memories were made—first as a daughter, then as a mother. I look forward to going each summer, and I always feel a little sad when it’s time to leave. It’s my happy place—my own piece of heaven on earth.”
Instead of one single event to mark the occasion and commemorate the anniversary, Watch Lake Lodge is hosting weekly celebrations every Wednesday until August 27, 2025, where guests are invited to tell their favourite stories, sing a song and bring old photos to reminisce on old memories while making new ones. The reason behind this format, according to Dimps, is to make sure everyone has an opportunity to join in on the celebrations when it works for them.
