Our Story: Nova Scotia’s famous Milford House lodge and lakeside cabins
The Old Lodge
The New Lodge
The Milford House is Nova Scotia's oldest continuously operated resort. The Victorian-styled lodge has been a prominent structure in the landscape along the main road (Route 8) from the Annapolis Valley to the Nova Scotia South Shore for well over one hundred years. Now, in addition to the main lodge, there are twenty-seven rustic lakeside cabins along the wooded shores of Boot and Geier Lakes.
Renowned author Albert Bigelow Paine, (Mark Twaine's biographer), chronicled his first impression of the Milford House lodge in his famous book, The Tent Dwellers (1908) in the following way … "Then at last came a church, a scattering string of houses, a neat white hotel and the edge of the wilderness had been reached." Those travelling today from Annapolis Royal will witness little change in the scenery or the impact from this turn of the century description.
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of southwestern Nova Scotia, Milford House and the woods and lakes of the surrounding area were renowned for hunting and fishing from early spring until late fall. Until the 1940s, this prime location was considered an accessible, unspoiled haven for urban Americans from the eastern United States seeking trout fishing and tranquility for themselves, and their families. They represented the majority of guests who took up residence often for two to three months during the summer. Later generations continue this tradition and return annually, especially during the late summer and early fall.
With the decline in hunting and fishing as a main attraction to this area by the 1950s, the woods, waterways and Milford's reputation for its wonderful hospitality and scenic beauty continue to draw visitors from across the US and other parts of Canada.
Travelers throughout the Maritimes and Nova Scotia have also re-discovered this area and consider Milford House an important part of their summer or fall vacation.