The Lake House is an historic tavern located at the Waterford Flat

Waterford Flat

Waterford Flat is a historic village in the town of Waterford in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The village has been called by other names in its history, including Sweats Island, Sweet Island, Swetts Island, and Waterford. It is located north of Keoka Lake . -References:...

 area of Waterford

Waterford, Maine

Waterford is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,455 at the 2000 census. It is a recreation area noted for historic architecture and scenic beauty.-History:...

 in Maine

Maine

Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...

. It is an inn and restaurant north of Keoka Lake

Keoka Lake

Keoka Lake is a small lake in the town of Waterford, Maine. It is south of Waterford Flat and northeast of Waterford City . it is notable for being adjacent to the birthplace of Artemis Ward. Also known as Thomas Pond, it is approximately in size with a maximum depth of fourteen meters...

 and near Mount Tire'm

Mount Tire'm

Mount Tire'm is a small mountain mountain adjacent to Keoka Lake in the town of Waterford, Maine....

.

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 Hygenic 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

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

. Patrons would include Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...

, Claudette Colbert

Claudette Colbert

Claudette Colbert was a French-born American-based actress of stage and film.Born in Paris, France and raised in New York City, Colbert began her career in Broadway productions during the 1920s, progressing to film with the advent of talking pictures...

 and Judy Garland

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...

.