Mountain Lake was established in 1916 by Frederick S. Ruth, who employed Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. to lay out the 600 acre Park and Seth Raynor to design the golf course. The Colony House, a private hotel for members and their guests, is justly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the tradition of a winter colony lives on, and Mountain Lake is open to its members from November 1-April 30. The corporation operates businesses of hospitality, real estate, agriculture, and water management.