Nokomis was, according to Longfellow, the Daughter of the Moon, in his poem The Song of Hiawatha. 

By the shining Big-Sea-Water, Stood the wigwam of Nokomis, Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis

Dark behind it rose the forest… Bright before it beat the water, Beat the clear and sunny water, Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water. Microsoft® Encarta®

The cottage itself also has a rather dramatic past, having its origins both in romance and tragedy.  Agnes Burnap built it (only the part that has the covered porch)  as a honeymoon cottage for her son Leon and his wife Lillian who came to help her run the resort.  The reason she needed the help is because her husband, George, died while dynamiting the road down the hill from route 28 which was built in the 20s. Prior to its being completed, guests came by water from the train depot on the pond in Old Forge.  You can see pictures of the train depot at the Five Corners Restaurant in Old Forge, open only for breakfast and lunch.

The newer part (two stories) was built to provide more bedrooms for guests.  Originally, the cottages only had guest rooms: people took their meals in common at the lodge.  As people tastes changed, the buildings were converted to housekeeping cottages and little was done in common.