An Environmental Impact Study conducted in 1999 assessed the potential impact of a proposed road and described the Mountain Lake House as an estate spanning about 80.8 acres (32.7 ha), including approximately 18 outbuildings such as a musician's cabin, recreational hall, guest house, workshop, and others.

[1] The history of Mountain Lake House can be traced back to 1902, when Harvey Huffman bought 113 acres of land outside Marshalls Creek village.

Jay and his wife Edith established the Lake Marshall Hotel as a summer boarding house and winter ice harvesting facility.

The early tourists in the area came for cycling or motoring along the Milford Road, "taking the healing waters," swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting.

[4] Initially, the boarding house was managed by proprietors, including George Transue in 1911 and Farley Pipher who ran the business from 1914 to 1918.

Between 1918 and 1924, many new buildings were added to the complex, including stables, auto and carriage liveries, the dance hall, the tennis courts, and additional guest quarters.

The footbridge followed the path of an old lane that crossed Pond Creek, leading from the Milford Road (Route 209) to the Mountain Lake House prior to the construction of the dam.

They changed the name of the building to "The Village Inn," a luxury country accommodation that could house 140 guests and had a gift shop and ornate billiards room.

[8] In 1961, Norman Huffman, Jay’s son and Elwood’s brother, added management of Mountain Lake House to his already busy schedule.

Mr. Blewitt's dream of reopening the resort (to be called Rich's Promise) as a haven for the families of active-duty military personnel was never to be realized.

The asphalt lanes and parking lots are the only areas resistant to the growth of vegetation, otherwise the site is largely unrecognizable and inaccessible.