Baderman Island Neustadt Lighthouse
Tour the historic Neustadt Lighthouse for
some of the most scenic views of Baderman Island. The Baderman
Family purchased the lighthouse in 1932 and relocated it from
Neustadt, Germany, to the banks of the Kelsey River.

History
Baderman Island was conceived in 1988
when first approached by the City of Kelsey about future plans to
redirect the Kelsey River. The plans for redirecting the river would
place the majority of Baderman homestead on an island, which meant
that some of the most fertile organic garden acreage would be lost
to water. Once heavily involved in organic gardening, and with the
impending Kelsey River project, the idea to create a resort island
was conceived to carry on a profitable enterprise. In 1932, Baderman
Island relocated a lighthouse from Germany which was joined in 1956
by the main family mansion.
In conjunction with
the Town of Kelsey, 400 acres of botanical preserve was established
on the Baderman land in order to protect the 12 species of rare and
endangered butterflies in the area. Although the Kelsey River
project did not come to a realization until 2005, the Baderman
family spent the years in the design of an all encompassing resort
to offer guests and day visitors a unique leisure
experience.

1922
The Baderman Family emigrates from
Neustadt, Germany and into the Kelsey Valley.
1923
Twenty-six hundred acres of farm
land around the Kelsey river valley are purchased. The Baderman
farmhouse is built on 1600 acres of land nearly surrounded by a long
bend in the Kelsey River.
1932
In order to save an old, abandoned
lighthouse from demolition, the Family purchases the lighthouse and
relocates it to the shore of the Kelsey River. The lighthouse is
renamed the Baderman Neustadt Lighthouse after their old home in
Neustadtl, Germany.
1941
The town of Kelsey is
incorporated. The Baderman family leases nearly 1000 acres of their
land to local organic farmers.
1952
The original Baderman farmhouse if
demolished to make way for the new Baderman Estate. The new estate
is located a mile up from the Lighthouse on Baderman Hill.
1978
The Baderman Family sets aside
nearly 400 acres of land as a Botanical preserve in cooperation with
the Town of Kelsey.
1988
Renovations begin on the Baderman
Estate to convert the property into a resort. The main hotel is
designed with classic Spanish architecture with the Historic Mission
Bell (recovered from a Spanish Hacienda) as the centerpiece. With
help from the Kelsey Area Convention and Visitor Bureau,
construction also begins on a convention center, golf course, and
trolley system to interconnect the facilities. Plans begin for the
Kelsey River bend to be redirected for flood conservation
reasons.
1995
Negotiations between the Baderman
family and the City of Kelsey concerning ferry service, tax breaks,
and the donation of 20 acres of prime garden acreage to the City is
accomplished.
2001
The Kelsey River bend is
redirected for better water management in the valley. As a result,
the 1580 acres of Baderman property become a natural island
completely surrounded by the Kelsey River. Twenty acres were lost
when the river was redirected. On the newly formed island,
construction begins on the visitor center, hotels, convention
center, and spa.
2004
Although still under construction,
the Baderman Island Resort opens to the public for the first time.
Many of the operational functions of running the resort are turned
over to the Boardman Management Group. In exchange for use of the
island, the Baderman family receives tax breaks and various
incentives from the Town of Kelsey.