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help of the State Fire Marshal’s office. “Obviously, we’re leaning toward arson right now,” said Koerner.

Mississippi Dunes Golf Course has been closed for several years, and the property is a target for redevelopment. The parcel is owned by David Gustafson, who operates Dunes, LLC. Property taxes for the parcel go to the Law Offices of Richard Schultz in St. Paul.

Attempts to reach Gustafson for comment were unsuccessful.

The estimated market value of the parcel this year according to Washington County tax records is $1,211,100. This year, its property tax bill dropped in half, as it was taxed as rural vacant land, rather than as a golf course. The total property tax bill was $14,692, compared to $27,828 in 2020.

It was reported in 2018 that the golf course on the banks of the Mississippi Drive closed. Its phone was disconnected. The property was reportedly listed for sale for $10 million as a potential housing development.

Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey commented on Facebook: “Though the Mississippi Dunes Golf Course will become something different in the future…it is always sad to see a building that was a fun and happy place for so many people, burn to the ground. Investigators will try and figure out how it started. Thank you to our Cottage Grove Firefighters and all those firefighters from our surrounding communities that helped extinguish the fire and to make sure it did not spread to the woods and grassy areas all around the former clubhouse. It will be monitored for the next few days to make sure it doesn’t start back up or spread.”

Two photos of the aftermath of the fire that destroyed the clubhouse and pro shop structure at the former Mississippi Dunes Golf Course. Photos from Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey’s Facebook page.