Mountain Lake's History:
Mountain Lake has a long history and has seen many visitors for many purposes. In the early 1800's the property became a stop along the public stage coach line providing lodging for passengers. During the Civil War, General George Crook and his Union solders passed through. Vacationers started visiting Mountain Lake in the mid 1800's when there was only one small hotel. Many families called Mountain Lake their summer home year after year, building cabins, several of which are still in use today.
Calling Mountain Lake his family's summer home since 1918, William Lewis Moody Jr. of Galveston acquired the property in 1930, and built the large stone Lodge which still stands today. Stone quarried from the surrounding mountain property was used to construct the Lodge. Lumber and hardware from the original hotel was repurposed and used in construction of several cottages and the car barn in 1937.
Mary Moody Northen developed a love of Mountain Lake as a young girl spending her summers at the resort. Upon her father's death she purchased Mountain Lake. Upon her death in 1986, trustees of her estate established the Mary Moody Northen Endowment which presently owns and operates the resort. Mrs. Northen's final wishes were to maintain the Lodge and surrounding land as a place where future generations could connect with nature as she had as a young girl.
