History of the Inn

Early Years 1849-1924
The stately inn that one now finds nestled on this Arlington mountainside is actually the result of years of architectural evolution. The Inn was originally built as a farmhouse in 1849. From 1880 to 1920, first a gristmill and then a lumber mill were operated on the Battenkill River at the foot of the mountain.

The Rochesters
In 1924 Ned and Gwendolyn Rochester purchased the 150 acre farm and began a series of changes that would transform the farm into an estate suitable for an elegant style of summer vacationing. They enlarged the house and added the seven gables which are a prominent feature of the structure today. The Rochesters also dotted the mountainside with barns and small cottages, and crisscrossed the hillside with pastoral stone walls and fences.

West Mountain Inn 1978-Present
A succession of people lived at the estate on the mountain after the Rochesters moved away. Then in 1978, Wes and Mary Ann Carlson saw it, and knew instantly that it could become a haven for them and hopefully others, perhaps as a country inn. Their skills and philosophy have melded to create an ambiance and space that is both warm and welcoming. Their involvement in both the local community and the world community is evidenced by the art, literature, and crafts that add to the decor of the guest and common rooms at West Mountain Inn.

The Innkeepers

Mary Ann and Wes Carlson - Finding Peace in Vermont
Wes and Mary Ann met in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Mary Ann, a native Californian, was a divorced mother of two, and Wes was the principal of Will and Amie's school. They fell in love and were married on a small island off the coast of Maine. They decided to look for a way to live away from the city. They considered living on the island where they were married, but a trip to Vermont changed all that. "We were swept off our feet by the beauty of Vermont and the Inn," Mary Ann says. "We also loved the independence of the Vermont people."

Mary Ann - Committed to Vermont
Mary Ann grew to love Vermont and its people so much that in 1988 she ran for and was elected to the State Senate where she served for 6 years. Working for the betterment of the lives of the people of Vermont was an extension of the instinctive caring she has always given her guests at the Inn.

Wes - Creative Force
Wes passed away on August 14, 2000 and has been sorely missed by all - guests and staff alike. He was the Inn's resident visionary, llama breeder, architect, and hug giver. More than anyone else, he gave the Inn its distinctive personality. It was Wes who haunted the antique shops and furniture auctions for great finds, built new rooms, and enlarged existing ones. He planned and decorated with a flair uniquely his own, and with the help of the staff, the results were special. It was Wes' idea to put African violet plants into each of the rooms as gifts for our guests, and now some 2,000 plants are given away each year.

Amie - Following In Their Footsteps
Amie returned back to Vermont from California several years ago and began working with Wes and Mary Ann and the Staff at the Inn. After Wes passed away, Mary Ann retired from active innkeeping and Amie bought the Inn to continue on in the family tradition. In September, 2005 Amie and her husband Kevin gave birth to their first child, Owen Reece Emmons, assuring that there will be a third generation of Carlson family innkeepers!

The West Mountain Inn Staff
The day to day care of the Inn and nurturing of its guests is accomplished by the Inn's wonderful staff. They are the main reason why so many guests find themselves returning to the Inn again and again. Each employee is hired because he or she genuinely likes people and cares about their needs, and all of the Inn's staff share Carlson's philosophy and believe in their goals for the Inn. The entire Inn family contributes to making West Mountain Inn a "Special Peace of Vermont."

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