WESLEY FOREST

Wesley Forest was originally built as a private retreat by Chester K. Robertson, who was a wealthy coal baron from Shamokin, PA. Construction of the Main Lodge began in the 1930’s and continued for several years. In addition to the Main Lodge, there were 3 smaller guest cabins, a dining/kitchen facility and a 3 bay garage which housed the limousines. The garage also had a small apartment for the chauffeur and his wife. Today, the Main Lodge is called Penn’s Creek Lodge and the guest cabins are Lick Run Cabin, Weikert Run Cabin, and the Minister’s Cabin. The garage and chauffeur’s quarters are now used as the Craft Shed and Nurse’s Station.

Many local people living in the Weikert area were employed both during and after the construction as laborers, cooks, and groundskeepers. During the summer many guests were invited to the Lodge and several famous movie stars from the era were here at one time or another, including Claude Rains, Ralph Belamy, Bette Davis and Gloria Swanson.

In 1961 the Methodist Church purchased the original buildings and approximately 400 acres of land for $60,000. Several years later a land swap with the State of Pennsylvania (we traded Chimney Rock for a larger parcel to the east of the Adirondack Shelters) increased the acreage to 440. In 1978 development of the Mountain Side area began and the Site Directors Residence was the first building to go up. That was followed by the Musina Dining Hall and Hemlock and White Pine Lodges which were completed by 1983. By the late 1980’s the lake, summer cabins, and bath house were built and a full summer camping program was in place. The two lodges, bath house and all of the summer cabins were constructed with the help of volunteers, who have always played an important role at the campsite.

For all of the changes that have taken place, much of Wesley Forest is still remarkably the same as it was in the 1920’s.