The Robbinsdale, Minnesota, home of Marjorie Johnson, a celebrated baker who gained national recognition as the "Blue Ribbon Baker," has been listed for sale for the first time since its construction in 1968. The 5,100-square-foot lakefront property on Crystal Lake is being marketed as a "time capsule" for its meticulously preserved original fixtures and custom features.
Johnson, who passed away last year at 106, developed a passion for competitive baking at age 55, entering the Minnesota State Fair in 1974 and winning three ribbons. Her baking success continued, accumulating over 3,000 state and county fair ribbons. She became a familiar face on national television, making regular appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Her daughter, Marilee Wheaton, described the house as her mother's dream home, where Johnson personally selected every detail. To accommodate her stature of approximately 4 feet, 9 inches, Johnson designed the kitchen countertops and a desk to be lower than standard height. The powder-blue kitchen is equipped with extra freezers and extensive cabinetry for baking equipment.
The two-story home includes six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Other amenities include built-in features throughout the house, an indoor swimming pool in the basement, and 70 feet of shoreline on Crystal Lake. Johnson's son, Steve, shared that his mother swam in the pool daily until she was 80 years old.
Additional features of the property include a second kitchen, a family room, a two-car garage, and a three-season room offering lake views. The house retains vintage elements such as shag carpeting, floral wallpaper, and pink bathroom tiles, contributing to its nostalgic ambiance. The listing agent, Jeanne LeVasseur, highlighted that all original fixtures are still functional, describing the home as a rare find.
Johnson's influence extended to her cookbook, "The Road to Blue Ribbon Baking: With Marjorie," which featured a foreword by Rosie O'Donnell. The Minnesota State Fair has established the Marjorie Johnson Honey Bee Award in her honor. The home is listed at $665,000, and the family has reportedly received several offers, aiming to finalize a sale soon. Johnson's daughter expressed hope that a new owner would cherish the home as much as her mother did.