Opening
a grocery store in 1937, while the depression still raged, was
no easy task. However, Willard and Martha Munger were determined
to make a better life for their family, and so were undaunted
by the task. After buying a little shack in Duluth's Norton
Park, the young family opened their store and worked diligently
over the years to build up their business. Willard worked round
the clock for many years, running the store at night while working
full time by day. During the war he worked as foreman of a shipbuilding
crew, and in the early 50's he worked for the Agriculture Department,
as a Truman appointed public servant.
All the hard work and long hours finally paid off for the family
when they were able to save enough to build the first units
of the "Duluth Zoo" Motel in 1954. Except for the calls from
eager patrons who didn't want to sleep with the animals, the
little brick inn was an instant success. Over the next dozen
years two additions were built - first, rooms 201 through 209
were constructed and then, in 1965, the coffee shop's wing of
the building was finished.
By this time the establishment had been renamed the "Willard
Motel", the unique name attached to the motel's owner and his
son Willard Jr. The motel flourished for many years with this
name: the coffee shop did a thriving business, the motel housed
travelers to Duluth, railroad and steel workers and many vacationers.
Over the years, many important additions made "The Willard"
a popular place to visit. Spirit Mountain was constructed in
the early 1970's, adding a healthy dose of winter business to
the area. The cleanup of the St. Louis River - spearheaded by
Willard's determination to see the environment in his area return
to its original beautiful state - blossomed into one of the
best walleye fisheries in the State. The Western Waterfront
Trail, which winds along the newly 
popular
river, has made the scenic beauty of West Duluth available to
all. This project, too, was completed thanks to Willard's staunch
leadership in the House of Representatives. Finally, the Willard
Munger State Trail, which begins immediately behind the motel,
stands as a tribute to Willard's determination to share the
beauty of the northland with all, and in a way that doesn't
harm the wild and scenic nature of the area. Today, bald eagles
nest on the St. Louis River Bay, bear tracks are commonly seen
on the Munger Trail, walleyes and beavers swim the river, and
deer and porcupine wander the majestic hills... The Zoo isn't
the only place to find wildlife in West Duluth.
At the venerable age of 82, and after serving in the legislature
for some 36 years, Willard finally decided to devote himself
more fully to his legislative duties. Willard turned the operation
of the motel over to his son Willard jr. ("Will") in October
of 1993. Will decided to rename the motel "The Willard Munger
Inn" in honor of his luadable forebearer. Will added fireplace
and whirlpool suites and has generally updated the Inn. The
motel is now promoted as a destination for bikers, hikers, skiers,
snowboarders and birders. The old coffee shop is no more, but
the rustic lounge area features continental breakfast and a
small museum dedicated to the progressive politics espoused
by Willard over the years.
Will and his dedicated staff would love to see you.
HISTORY 
