The Lodge Resort history

The first mention of the hotel in local newspapers was in May 1902 when reports indicated there were “extensive improvements and new buildings” being added.

On May 28th, 1904, the Cloudcroft Silver Lining reported that Perry Kearney had purchased the hotel and planned even more renovations to make it “the best furnished and neatest in town.”

An ad for sale of the hotel was placed by Kearney in May 1906.

With a headline of “The Cloudcroft Lodge Gone Up In Smoke,” the June 19th, 1909, edition of the Cloudcroft Silver Lining announced the tragic news that the Lodge had succumb to fire.

In fact, hotelier Edward Ball filmed the discovery of a mastodon’s skeletal remains in one of his promotional films (see above). Geological research in the region did not actually being until 1930, although scattered investigations had been ongoing ever since the middle of the 19th century.

1931: Edward Ball stumbled across Wakulla Springs after having spent the last several years looking for a place to grow pulpwood.

Back in year 1933, Björnstorps Manor built a hunting lodge at Väderkullen (‘The Weather Hill’), named Romelestugan.

Ball finally put his plan into motion in 1935, using his newfound affluence to finance the construction of a brilliant boutique hotel.

Historical Image of Concession Stand, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, 1937, Member of Historic Hotels of America, in Wakulla Springs, Florida.

In 1939, Edward Ball made the fateful decision to hire famed swimming coach Newton “Newt” Perry to serve as the hotel’s general manager.

Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941)

Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942)

Shot in 1951, this film by Edward Ball himself attempted to chronicle the story of Wakulla Springs.

1953: Director Jack Arnold filmed his classic horror flick, Creature from the Black Lagoon, in the vicinity of The Lodge at Wakulla Springs.

The Creature form the Black Lagoon (1954)

1968: Toward the end of his life, Edward Ball began donating unused pieces of land throughout Wakulla Springs to various third parties.

1977: Director Jerry Jameson selected Wakulla Springs to serve as the setting for the third installment of the Airport franchise—Airport ’77.

The present owner, Margaret Wall, purchased the property in 1982 and opened Mar & Mar Colliques.

In January of 1986 the historic Lodge was purchased by Great Inns of the Rockies, Inc., a small privately held corporation.

In 1992, The Lodge was once again purchased by the Great Inns of the Rockies, Inc., a small privately held corporation that aspires to own and operate small resort hotels and country inns in the Rocky Mountain Region.

In 2000, the hotel was closed, most areas of the hotel were demolished, and the property was completely redeveloped.

2002: Thanks to a land grant awarded by the State of Florida, the Friends of Wakulla State Park commissioned Rustin Levenson of the Art Conservation Association to clean the hotel’s famous lobby mural.