The district is one of the best remaining examples of a mountain village of the late 1800s.  Nearly all of the buildings are of log construction, have gabled roofs, and date from the last two decades of the 19th century. 

Located on the smaller of the two lakes at the foot of Mt. Elbert, the resort was developed between 1883 and 1890 by wealthy Leadville miner James V. Dexter.  The primary building, the Interlaken Hotel, is a two-story log structure the facade of which is faced with board and batten.