Perhaps it's a mystery, or perhaps not, but, this old lodge certainly became an enigma to me on my July, 2003 visit to the Moreno Valley.  Since I was a child in the 60's and visiting the valley every summer, I've always wondered about this old place.  Finally, I decided to find out more about it.  Or, I should say, "tried to find out more about it."

The locals say that the Eagle Nest Lodge caught fire about twenty years ago and closed, and that's about all they say.  "Was it closed before that?", I ask, only to be answered by shrugs and blank stares.

There's no doubt that the old hotel caught fire, because there are obvious signs of fire damage in two different locations at the old lodge.  But, the question remains -- when?

And, was the fire the cause of the closing?  At least one person told me that a later fire was started in a second location, probably by vagrants living in the old lodge.  But, still neither fire has succeeded in demolishing this once wonderful luxury resort.

I was getting confused by what little information I could extract.  When I was visiting the valley every summer more than thirty years ago, the old lodge was already closed and has remained so on my many subsequent trips to the valley.  I still wanted to know why this once beautiful hotel, with its awesome view of the lake, was left lonely, abandoned and forgotten.

You can see by the interior pictures and the many outbuildings that the lodge must have been splendid in its day, offering a variety of services.  Inside you can see the restaurant, the Loafer's Lounge, several fireplaces, including one that's three-sided, in yet, another lounge.

Just outside the front door, the lake beckoned the guests for fishing and boating, and to the right, are the remains of a man-made pool and a garden, as well as what appears to be stables. Several outbuildings are housed on the property, including private cabins and a caretaker's home.

So, what happened to this place?  For two weeks I asked virtually every person I met, including a local newspaper writer, without success.  Finally, I was directed to a life-time resident of the valley.  Though very friendly and forth-coming, he could only say "Both my mother and my aunt worked there, and they won't even talk to me about it."