The Mercer Lodge at Willow Lake

The Mercer family built Willow Lake Lodge in 1974 after Robert Mercer purchased a wooded lakeside parcel and constructed the A-frame retreat as a year-round family home. Two generations lived there, including Robert, his wife Elaine, their children, and later grandchildren who used the property during summers and holidays. The family income came from Robert’s small construction company and nearby building contracts.

Local property records describe a well-maintained lodge with regular repairs, active rooms, and frequent family gatherings before economic changes affected ownership.

The first warning sign appeared in 1987 when Robert Mercer’s construction business lost major contracts and overdue utility payments were recorded. The family reduced visits, closed the upstairs sleeping area, and stopped maintaining the deck railings and cracked driveway. After Robert’s retirement and increasing medical expenses, property taxes and repair costs became difficult to manage. By 1992, the lodge was placed in a legal dispute between family members over ownership. Elaine moved to a smaller residence nearby, while the children relocated to other states and stopped maintaining the isolated lake property.

Willow Lake Lodge was abandoned in 1994 after unpaid taxes, unresolved family ownership disputes, and the decline of regular maintenance ended its use. No restoration occurred, and no Mercer family members returned to reclaim the property. County records noted unclear responsibility for repairs and continued deterioration of the vacant lodge. The interior rooms remained closed, with household items and documents left behind. Over time, weather affected the deck, roof, and surrounding structures. The lakeside A-frame remains empty, standing quietly among the trees and deteriorating without restoration or confirmed future ownership.