Long, long ago when only Indians and their animal friends lived in this land, Chief Cottaquilla wanted to find a new place for his tribe to live because he wanted his daughter, the beautiful Princess Wallahea, to forget her boyfriend, Onatonda.  You see, Father did not approve of Onatonda because he was from a different tribe.  So Cheif Cottaquilla and his tribe crossed the nearby hills into this peaceful valley.

But, alas, Chief Cottaquilla's plan wasn't working.  Pricess Wallahea was suffering from a broken heart.  She loved to visit the deer and raccoon along the nature trail, but her tears added so much water to the mountain stream that this stream formed a small lake in the Valley.  We now cal this Lake Wallahea.

Chief Cottaquilla did love his daughter and was so deeply moved by her sadness that he invited Onatonda to visit.  When Chief Cottaquilla saw their true love for each other he consented to the marriage of Princess Wallahea and Onatonda.

The beautiful wedding took place on the hill overlooking the lake and all were surrounding by beautiful Mountain Laurel blooms.  It is on this hill, where Ontonda Lodge now stands, that Wallahea and Onatonda made their happy home for all their daughters and granddaughters in this beautiful land called Cottaquilla.