The tavern was built by prominent businessman Eli Longley in 1797, the year the town of Waterford was incorporated. In 1847, it became The Maine Hygienic Institute for Ladies, which in the 1880s was then converted to a hotel. Guests were drawn to the beauty and seclusion of the antique lakeside village, much of which is now listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Patrons would include
Mickey Rooney,
Claudette Colbert and
Judy Garland. ==References==