The village began in 1867 as a summer camp meeting locale for groups of Methodists. At first, visitors lived in tents, while visiting ministers could rent space in the second story of the meeting's passenger station. By 1868 more permanent structures including cottages, a two-story trustees office and bookstore, and a market appeared. The village was owned and governed by the "Round Lake Association". By 1881 lectures patterned after Chautauqua Institution were being conducted. In 1887 George West constructed the "George West Museum of Art and Archaeology" to enhance the cultural offerings.