Baderman Island Banner
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo
Baderman Logo

Baderman Logo 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.

Buy a ticket to tour the lighthouse!

Baderman Logo 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.
Historical photos

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.

 

 

Menu Navigation
 
Baderman Logo
 

Reservations

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Copyright © 2005 by Apollo Group, Inc.