[1] Unlike many other such resorts, Glenbrook was not constructed around one of California's many hot springs, but rather grew up as a stage stop on the road between Middletown and Lakeport in the late 19th century.

It was a stage stop between the San Francisco Bay Area to the south and Clear Lake to the north.

[5] William Basset and Silas Broadwell built stock buildings, a stage station, and houses after buying the land in 1869, and a 200-strong community grew up around the stop that included a blacksmith, lumber dealers and manufacturers, a stock raiser, fruit growers, a meat market, and a hotel.

They lived at the property with their two children and Ralph's uncle, Clarence Spornhauer, and enjoyed the beauty of the area.

[12] A 2007 book said that Glenbrook's campgrounds and buildings had disappeared, the site now being the location of Pine Grove, a local business.

[3][11] The California Department of Water Resources originally owned the Bottle Rock Power Plant near Glenbrook.