The first recorded discovery of this now popular hillstation was in 1841, when a Britisher Mr. Baroon,
chanced upon the lake. Moved by the scenic beauty of the lake and thickly forested hills, he constructed
a house named Pilgrims Cottage. it was the the first of the many residences which were to transform Nainital
into a popular resort. by 1858 nainital became a well known hill station and within a few years the summer seat of provincial government