Foster's Log Cabin Court facts for kids
Foster's Log Cabin Court is a historic place in Woodfin, North Carolina. It's about five miles north of Asheville, North Carolina. This spot was one of the first places for tourists traveling by car to stay in the Asheville area. It has many cozy log cabins and a dining lodge. Today, it's known as the Log Cabin Motor Court. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
Contents
A Historic Place to Stay
How It Started
A couple from Buncombe County, North Carolina, Zebulon and Audrey Foster, bought land in Woodfin in 1920. They both worked in Asheville. They wanted a more peaceful, country life for themselves and their young daughter. At first, they lived in a small house on the property. They grew a garden and had a dairy cow.
Their land was next to what became the Dixie Highway. This was a beautiful driving route for tourists from northern states. Many people asked to camp on their land. It had a nice grove of pine trees and mountain views. So, around 1931, the Fosters decided to build small cabins.
Growing and Changing
The first seven cabins were built from pine logs. Each had one room and a porch. Guests used two outdoor restrooms. Each cabin rented for just $1 per night.
In 1932, six more cabins were built. Over the next few years, the Fosters made many improvements. They added bathrooms, brick chimneys, and wood floors to the cabins. In 1937, a dining building was built nearby. This building was still a restaurant in 2020.
A part of the movie Thunder Road was filmed here in 1957. The movie starred Robert Mitchum. One of the cabins, then called Top-o-the-Hill, was used. It's now known as the Thunder Road cabin.
Audrey Foster ran the Log Cabin Court until she retired in 1970. Zebulon Foster had passed away in 1941. The cabins have continued to offer affordable places for tourists to stay.
Why It's Important
National Recognition
Foster's Log Cabin Court was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in December 2016. It was officially listed on May 1, 2017. The property includes twenty-two historic buildings.
The National Register of Historic Places lists important places in American history. Foster's Log Cabin Court is special for two main reasons:
- Entertainment and Recreation: It's a great example of early places for car travelers to stay. It shows how people enjoyed vacations in the 1900s.
- Architecture: The buildings are built in a "Rustic Revival" style. This means they look like old pioneer log cabins. They are made with logs that fit together without nails. This rustic look made tourists feel connected to the region's history.
The cabins are still spread out among tall pine trees. This natural setting makes the rustic buildings look even more charming. It's one of the oldest and best-preserved tourist courts in the area.
