The Balsam House
— History —
The present day Balsam House began life in the mid 1800's
as a farmhouse built near the shores of pristine Friends Lake. In 1891
it became the Valentine Hotel, beginning its almost 120 year history
as a fine inn and restaurant.
Over the years rooms and facilities were added and the
inn grew to a full size, three story hotel. In the 1940's it was renamed
The Balsam House Inn, after the towering, fragrant trees surrounding
the property.
In the 1960's the Balsam House closed
and stood vacant for almost twenty years. In 1982 it was purchased by
one of the present owners, Frank Ellis. A complete remodeling and restoration
was undertaken during which the frame of the original farmhouse was uncovered,
surrounded by additions to the building but clearly recognizable. The
inn operated successfully until 1994 when an accident caused damage to
the dining room that was severe enough to force its closing.
Since then plans have been made and work begun to repair
the structure and make improvements that will bring the Balsam House
up to twenty-first century standards without losing the charm of its
Victorian
heritage. We look forward to reopening in 2006.