The History of Independence Beach

      George Pieh and his wife Lucille were long-time residents of Independence Beach. They lived in a rambler at 2967 Lakeshore Ave which has since been torn down. 

      Pieh was a savvy real estate investor who saw the potential of the neighborhood. He acquired a number of properties on the south end of Lakeshore Ave. and Ardmore Ave. He was instrumental in persuading the City to open Lakeshore up to County Rd 19. He purchased several cabins on Ardmore and Balsam, which he renovated and later sold.

      For  30 years, Pieh was an industrial arts teacher at Emerson School in Minneapolis. 

      Pieh was an avid fisherman and was out on the lake almost every day. He died in 1976 when he had a heart attack out on the ice while dragging a 10 lb. northern he’d caught ice fishing.