Resort History

1915-1944 - Massanutten Canning Factory

The Shenandoah Valley is rich in Civil War and other history before 1915. However, the earliest record of the site that would eventually become Skyline Ranch Resort shows that the land was originally home to the Massanutten Canning Factory where tomatoes, beans and soup were canned under the "Massanutten Brand". During World War I soldiers on the battlefields of France dined on these Shenandoah products.

1944-1960 - Burke Family Farm

The canning factory eventually closed and became part of a 1,935 acre farm that stretched all the way South to the Shenandoah River. Mr. Burke, the owner of the farm, passed away in the 1950s, and the land was inherited by his son, Wilson Burke.

1960-1973 - Birth of a Campground

Visitors to the area wanted to camp near the Shenandoah River on Mr. Burke's land. So... after a lot of sweat and hard work, Wilson Burke opened a campground called "Massanutten Camp Forest". He built the Li'l Country Store himself with an apartment upstairs. The swimming pool was added in 1968.

1973-1978 - Sale of Campground

Wilson Burke, now 67, sold the campground in 1973 to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frenzel who operated it as a public campground through August of 1978.

1978-1984 - Stable Added

Raymond C. Kates, a prominent attorney in Front Royal, and his wife Geraldine purchased the campground in 1978. Mr. Kates was a horse lover and built a stable in 1979 adding horseback riding to the campground's recreational activities.

1984 - Skyline Ranch Resort Begins

In 1984, William H. Bunning, Jr., a developer, and his wife Floy purchased the campground with a dream of creating a family-oriented resort with amenities and activities for all ages. The campground was converted to a private, "membership only" campground called "Skyline Ranch Resort". The theme was to project "a Little Bit of the Old West Back East".

1984-1990 - Skyline Expansion

Skyline is upgraded with the addition of a luxurious 9,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, a modern waste treatment facility, rental cabins, RV units, mini-golf and much, much more.

1990-Skyline Awarded "5 Star" Status

In August, 1990, Skyline Ranch Resort was the recipient of the prestigious "5 Star" Award by Coast to Coast Resorts making it one of the top 75 resorts in the Coast to Coast network of over 500 resorts. Skyline has received "5 Star" status each year since 1990.

July, 1995 - New Ownership

David M. Lonsway and another investor from Rockford, Illinois purchased the resort to take it to "the next level". The goal of the new owners is to further upscale the property, add luxury accommodations and begin selling deeded ownership interests.

October, 1995 - First TreeLoft Chalet Started

In October, 1995, Skyline begins development of Skyline TreeLoft Village, a secluded, upscale area of modern, luxurious chalets. Construction of the first Skyline TreeLoft Chalet is started.

November, 1995 - Sale of Deeded Ownerships

Campground members are the first to be offered a unique opportunity to become deeded owners of Skyline Ranch Vacation Ownership Resort with all the rights and privileges of ownership.

December, 1995 - RCI Adds Skyline

Resort Condominiums International (RCI), the largest and oldest vacation exchange company in the world, adds Skyline Ranch Resort to its list of over 3,000 luxury resorts worldwide.

2004 - Skyline Selected as RCI Gold Crown Resort