Toponymie | Canton de Potton | Place Names

This Bay on Lake Memphremagog takes its name from the Mountain House, a famous hotel once located on the Bay.  A publication “ from notes left by the late George C. Merrill who was purser on the Mountain Maid » (1917) – tells us John C. Hoyt and Capt. George W. Fogg, “ built the first mountain house in the bay, at the foot of Owl's Head in 1850.  It was burnt in 1854.  Another mountain house, much larger, was built near the site of the old one in 1855, by John B. Hoyt and Miles E. Knowlton.  This one changed owners several times, and had several additions built on to it.  It was burnt on October 11, 1899^[1] ».  It was not replaced.

Steamers plying the maritime trade on Lake Memphremagog put in at the Mountain House Bay to disembark guests or take-on passengers.  The Mountain House amenities were largely advertised in the United States.  A well-organized and easily accessible passenger rail service from cities like Boston to Newport and boat travel from the railway to the various hotels along the Lake, made it a destination of choice for the well-heeled seeking nature and relaxation.  As a matter of interest, the McCord Museum in Montreal has a significant collection of pictures of the Mountain House Bay and the Mountain House Hotel, in its glory days of the late 1800's. 

An interesting book about such travel is available online entitled Burt's Illustrated Guide to the Connecticut Valley; Henry Martym Burt is the author.  Though the title is deceiving, the book contains a fine description of travel by steamer on Lake Memphremagog from Newport to Magog.