A colony of resorts were developing on the chain as Simeon Caro had established his Pine Forest Resort on the southeast shore of Pike Lake in 1902. In 1915 Mrs. Janet (McDonald) Cole, widow of noted Milwaukee lawyer Rublee A. Cole, hired a crew to build a set of cabins on the northwest shore of Pike Lake on William F. Turner’s old homestead. Having purchased the land on the south shore of Round Lake in 1899, and Turner’s old homestead at the thoroughfare between Round and Pike Lakes by 1901, the Coles built a cabin in 1902 and used it as a retreat. They called their cabin “The Homestead,” and the new resort “The Homestead Resort.” 

A century later, Boyd’s Mason Lake Resort is the only 19th century establishment to survive largely intact and continues to thrive, entertaining guests from throughout the Midwest. Ross and Sylvester’s Pike Lake Lodge has been largely sold off but the original 1897 lodge and three cabins remain open to the public as Moose Jaw Resort. Three original cabins still exist along with the lodge. Five new cabins have been constructed for a total of eight through 2017.