In 1787, Stará Lesná had 72 houses with 508 inhabitants, who were mainly engaged in cattle breeding, canvas production, work in forests and later also mountain leadership and work in hotels in the High Tatras and industrial enterprises below the Tatras. The name of the village took several forms. In 1294 it is mentioned as Erdewfalva, later in 1499 it is also Alsoerdewfalwa and in 1808 it is Stará Lesná. The village also had the Hungarian name Óleszna or Felsöedöfalva and the German name Altwalddorf.
The village is documented as Erdewfalva from 1294, later as Alsoerdewfalwa (1469), Stará Lesná (1808; Hungarian Óleszna, Felsőerdőfalva; German Altwaldorf. The village was founded by the Berzeviczy family. engaged in work in forests, the production of linen, cattle breeding, and have been working in tourism since the 19th century.In 1787 the village had 72 houses and 508 inhabitants, in 1828 it had 92 houses and 668 inhabitants.
During the First Czechoslovak Republic, the population worked in agriculture, forestry, tourism services, and processed flax. Part of the population worked in industrial enterprises in the area, recreational facilities and services in the High Tatras.