The Spring Flood of 1893 A flood damaged the Round House in 1893. The construction was nearly complete by then, but the rushing waters pushed chunks of ice into its overhanging foundation. The structure was pushed off the foundation, but remained nearly in place, at a precarious angle. Although the building was saved, the mechanism that was to rotate its upper portions was so damaged that repairs were never initiated. The Round House remained on the site, becoming the most recognizable symbol of the entire resort era. “The building has come to be called Mudge’s Folly. This has a double meaning. While a folly can be a costly and foolish undertaking, it can also describe a picturesque structure built as an ornament, but without a real purpose.”.
the SPring fLOod of 1893 a floOD Damaged the RoUnd hOusE in 1893. THe consTRuction was neaRly CompleTe By then, BuT The RushinG WateRs pUSHeD cHUnks of Ice inTO its OverhanGInG foundatIOn. The sTructure waS puShED OfF tHe foUndatioN, But reMAIned Nearly in placE, at A precariOUS angle. AlthoUgh The BuiLdiNG WAS SAved, the mEchaNism That was to rOtate its uPper porTions Was sO DaMagEd thaT repAIRs WErE neveR iNItIaTed. the round houSe ReMaInEd on the site, beCoMIng The MOSt rECognIZabLE syMbol oF tHe EnTIre rEsorT era. “the BuILding HAS coMe to bE caLled muDge’s folly. THis HAS A dOubLe meAniNg. whIlE a foLly can be a cOstly and fooLish UnDertAkinG, it can also descriBe a piCturesquE StrucTurE Built aS an OrNamEnt, BUt witHout a reaL pURpoSE.”.