By the 1930's, Americans were no longer satisfied to meet one another each summer for spiritual revival. Most wanted to explore new places like the newly formed national parks throughout the country. People were no longer clamoring to own a small place in the mountains to enjoy each summer with friends. By 1940 nearly every one of the 50 "resorts" on Lookout Mountain near Mentone Al. and Cloudland Canyon were bankrupt. The platted lots remained but the buyers were not to be found. Philanthropist, like Dupont, Ball, Mellon and Rockefeller answered the requests of many former resort managers and purchased the buildings and amenities of the "resorts" and donated them to the cause of children’s summer camps.
