Discover Our Legacy

• Christopher Gist, sent by the Ohio Land Surveying Company, was the first European to see Mountain Lake.
• Henley Chapman, an early commonwealth lawyer involved in developing the Virginia constitution in 1829, was Mountain Lake's first owner.
• Originally named Salt Pond, early settlers brought cattle to the basin for its "salt." The mountain is still called Salt Pond Mountain in recognition.

• The first Mountain Lake Lodge was established in 1851 and renamed by General Herman Haupt of Pennsylvania in 1857.
• Initially catering to stagecoach passengers, the area became a tourist destination when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad arrived, attracting visitors to its picturesque vistas.

During the Civil War, Union troops led by General George Crook crossed Salt Pond Mountain toward Union, West Virginia, leaving supplies behind on what became known as "Mini Ball Hill." The Porterfield family then owned the resort for over 30 years into the early 20th century.

After WWI and before the Great Depression, Mountain Lake was famous for music and entertainment, featuring an all-female orchestra for three years. Guests arrived in the "Buzz wagon," and the resort offered a camp for girls with activities like boating, swimming, and horseback riding, possibly the first all-female camp.

• William Lewis Moody of Galveston, Texas, fell in love with Mountain Lake Lodge and purchased it after his initial stay.
• The University of Virginia established the Mountain Lake Biological Station in 1930, with the first summer camp session in 1934. In 1936, Moody directed the construction of a sandstone lodge, a jewel of the resort.
• Roy D. Harmon opened the Fur Farm, crafting mink and fox fashions for over 20 years at the present-day "Salt Pond Stables," known locally as the "ole Pres Fields."

• After Mr. Moody's passing in 1954, his daughter, Mary Moody Northern, acquired the resort.
• The Mountain Lake Workshops, featuring painting and environmental stewardship, were brought to life by locals like Howard Finster and John Cage.
• In 1986, Northern's passing led to the establishment of the Mary Moody Northern Endowment, which continues to own and operate the resort. Her will ensured the lodge remained a place for people to connect with nature, as she had cherished throughout her life.

• In a pivotal year, Mountain Lake Lodge became the backdrop for the smash hit "Dirty Dancing," introducing millions to "The Real Kellerman's Resort."
• In 1989, the Mountain Lake Conservancy was developed at Mrs. Northern's request.
• In 2008, the receding lake waters revealed the body of Samuel Ira Felder, solving a long-standing local mystery about his disappearance during a fishing trip.

• The Endowment made an ambitious plan to restore the pristine beauty through modernizing the facilities and expanding the outdoor activities offered at the lodge.

The Virginia Restaurant, Lodgings & Travel Association (VRLTA) named Mountain Lake Lodge Hotel of the Year.

• The 35th anniversary of "Dirty Dancing" was celebrated with events like Dirty Dancing Weekends and Kellerman's Film package.
• In Spring 2022, FOX aired the Australian mini-series, introducing a new generation to "Dirty Dancing" across America.