The Robbinsdale lakefront estate of legendary "Blue Ribbon Baker" Marjorie Johnson has officially entered the real estate market. priced at $665,000,the 5,100-square-foot Crystal Lake residence is being marketed as a meticulously preserved time capsule of 1968.
A $665,000 time capsule on Crystal Lake
The property at Crystal Lake offers significant physical assets, including 70 feet of shoreline and a sprawling two-story layout. According to the Star Tribune, the home features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a basement containing an indoor pool that Johnson reportedly used every day until she turned 80. The 5,100-square-foot structure also includes a two-car garage and a three-season room designed to maximize views of the water.
This sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire a home that has remained largely unchanged since its construction. While many lakefront properties undergo frequent modernizations, this residence has been maintained as a tribute to the era in which it was built,preserving the specific vision of its long-time owner.
The powder-blue kitchen and 3,000 fair ribbons
A central feature of the residence is the custom powder-blue kitchen, which served as the primary workspace for Marjorie Johnson's prolific culinary career. As reported by FOX 9, the kitchen is equipped with extra freezers and an abundance of specialized cabinetry designed to house every necessary baking instrument. This workspace was where Johnson perfected the recipes that eventually earned her more than 3,000 state and county fair ribbons.
The kitchen's importance is underscored by the legacy Johnson left behind in the baking community. Her daughter, Marilee Wheaton, noted that the house was "filled with smells of all that baking," emphasizing that the home was not just a residence but a functional tool for her mother's craft. The connection between the home's design and Johnson's success is a key selling point for the property.
From the Minnesota State Fair to Jay Leno
Marjorie Johnson’s fame extended far beyond the local Minnesota State Fair, reaching a national audience through various television appearances. The "Blue Ribbon Baker" was a regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and other national talk shows,cementing her status as a household name. Her influence was so significant that Rosie O’Donnell provided the foreword for Johnson's cookbook, The Road to Blue Ribbon Baking: With Marjorie.
The Minnesota State Fair has even honored her legacy by introducing the Marjorie Johnson Honey Bee Award this year to recognize excellence in the honey sweet rolls category. This recognition highlights how Johnson's personal history is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the region, making the sale of her home a significant event for local enthusiasts.
Will the next owner preserve the pink tile and shag carpet?
While the home has already attracted several offers, the ultimate fate of its vintage interior remains an open question for the incoming owner. the property currently retains highly specific 1960s aesthetics, including shag carpeting, floral wallpaper, pink bathroom tiles, and a built-in record player. It remains to be seen whether a buyer will embrace this "time capsule" atmosphere or choose to modernize the 1968 fixtures.
The listing agent, Jeanne LeVasseur of Keller Williams Realty, noted that the original fixtures are in remarkable condition, stating, "The chrome just shines, and there are no cracks in the tile." However, the source does not clarify if the current offers are from collectors of mid-century design or buyers looking to renovate the space into a contemporary lakefront estate.
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