Nestled atop Vermont’s highest peak, the Mount Mansfield Hotel, also known as the Summit House, once stood as a testament to 19th-century mountain tourism. Built in 1858, the hotel catered to adventurous travelers who braved the rugged ascent to experience breathtaking views of the Green Mountains.
During the late 1800s, summit hotels were a popular trend, offering visitors a chance to stay overnight in remote, high-altitude locations. The Mount Mansfield Hotel provided simple accommodations, but the real luxury was waking up to the panoramic sunrise over Vermont’s rolling landscape. Guests would reach the summit via horse-drawn carriages, hiking trails, or, in later years, an early auto road.
The hotel remained a beloved landmark for nearly a century, but its remote location made upkeep challenging. By the mid-20th century, the popularity of ski resorts in Stowe overshadowed interest in summit hotels, and the aging structure fell into disrepair. In 1964, a fire destroyed the Summit House, marking the end of an era.
Today, while the hotel no longer stands, Mount Mansfield remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class skiing, hiking, and breathtaking views. Visitors can still climb to the summit and imagine what it must have been like to wake up in a hotel above the clouds, a lost piece of Vermont’s rich history.