Balsam Mountain Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Balsam Mountain Inn
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 68 Seven Springs Drive, Balsam, North Carolina |
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| Area | 26 acres (11 ha) |
| Built | 1905-1908 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003475 |
| Added to NRHP | July 15, 1982 |
The Balsam Mountain Inn is a beautiful old hotel in Balsam, North Carolina, United States. It was built with a mix of Neo-Classical and Victorian styles. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1982, which means it's an important part of history.
What is the Balsam Mountain Inn?
The Balsam Mountain Inn is a large, historic hotel made of wood. It's located in the mountains of North Carolina. When it was first built, it was a popular place for people to stay who were traveling by train. Many hotels like it used to exist in the area, but the Balsam Mountain Inn is the only one left in Balsam today.
A Look Back: The Inn's History
Building the inn started in 1905 and finished in 1908. It was designed to be a fancy resort for people visiting by train. Imagine a time when trains were the main way to travel! This inn was a perfect stop for travelers looking for a relaxing mountain getaway.
How the Inn Was Saved
In 1990, a skilled hotel manager named Merrily Teasley bought the inn. She worked hard to bring it back to life. Her restoration was so good that the U.S. Department of Interior officially recognized it as a historic preservation project. Merrily even added a dining porch that won an award in 1995! She returned to manage the inn again in 2011.
Later, in December 2017, Marzena B. Wyszynska, who has a lot of experience with hotels, bought the inn. She plans to keep it running as a hotel, a place for art, and a spot for special events. Thanks to people like Merrily and Marzena, this amazing old building continues to welcome guests.
What Can You Do There Today?
Today, the Balsam Mountain Inn still works as a hotel and has a restaurant. It has 50 rooms, making it a "Grand Old Lady Hotel." Guests can enjoy many things, like:
- A restaurant that serves breakfast
- A full bar
- A huge library with 2,000 books
- Rooms for meetings
- A special room for cards and puzzles
- A cozy sitting area
- Hiking trails nearby
- A gift shop
- Two long porches, each 100 feet long, perfect for relaxing in a rocking chair!
