The Half-Way House, meaning halfway up the Underhill side of Mt Mansfield. A hostel type lodge, it was Underhill’s first attempt at tourism. Built in 1858 by Mr. Gray and his son, it stood near the Green Camp area at the State Park. At a height of 2300’ up Mt Mansfield, it was a cool retreat from the humidity in the cities. High enough from mosquitos, great for hay fever and asthma sufferers.
In addition to the attraction of the cool air, there were hiking trails to the top of Mt Mansfield. Guides with saddle horses and donkeys were available for those who preferred to ride. There were 2 trails, the Sunset Ridge trail, and the Half-Way House trail. In the early years the Half-Way House trail was referred to as ”the Flanders trail or the “Nose trail”.
The ‘tourists’ took the train to Essex Jct, or by 1878 to Underhill, then traveled by horse and wagon, or later by auto. The Half-Way House burned down in 1876. Francis Cahill of Underhill rebuilt it in 1878 and it thrived largely 1880-1910, including housing loggers in the winter. In 1924, Dr Flanders took possession, and by 1930 had added electricity, a freezer and updated the bathrooms. The last owner in the early
1930’s was Lawrence Egan, however the Half-Way House fell on hard times and was torn down in 1939.
Sources
- HALF-WAY HOUSE UNDERHILL. Underhill Historical Society.
- Walter Collins O’Kane. Trails and Summits of the Green Mountains. The Riverside Press , 1926. Pp. 302.
