High Hampton Inn Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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High Hampton Inn Historic District
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High Hampton Inn
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cashiers Township, Jackson County, North Carolina |
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| Nearest city | Cashiers, North Carolina |
| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Built | 1933 |
| Built by | Builders Supply & Lumber Co. |
| Architect | Stillwell, Erle Gulick |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001468 |
| Added to NRHP | September 26, 1991 |
The High Hampton Inn Historic District is a special place in the mountains of western North Carolina. It's a historic estate and resort located in the beautiful Cashiers Valley in Jackson County, North Carolina. This area was once the summer home for the wealthy Hampton family from South Carolina. Because of its important history, the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Contents
A Mountain Escape: Early History
The story of High Hampton begins with Wade Hampton II, a rich planter. He bought about 450 acres in Cashiers Valley. This was a perfect escape from the hot, humid summers in places like Charleston, South Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina. The cool mountain air also helped avoid illnesses like malaria.
A Family Hunting Preserve
The Hampton family loved using this property as their private hunting ground. It was a favorite spot for them and their friends. Young Wade Hampton III spent time here learning to ride horses. This skill became very important later in his life. He became a leading cavalry commander during the American Civil War.
New Owners: The Halsted Family
In the 1880s, the High Hampton property was passed down to Hampton II's three daughters. In 1890, they sold it to their niece, Caroline Hampton. Caroline and her new husband, Dr. William Stewart Halsted, then took over the estate. Dr. Halsted was a very famous surgeon. He bought more land nearby, making the property much larger. Eventually, their holdings grew to more than 2,200 acres. Both the Halsteds passed away in 1922.
From Private Estate to Public Resort
After the Halsteds, a North Carolina businessman named E. Lyndon McKee and his wife, Gertrude Dills McKee, bought the estate in 1922. They had big plans for the property.
Building the First Inn
The McKees built a rustic, two-story Inn. They also added a famous 11-hole golf course in 1924. This course was designed by J. Victor East. High Hampton quickly became a popular place for visitors.
Fire and Rebuilding
In 1932, a terrible fire broke out at High Hampton. It started in the kitchen, which was a separate building. The fire destroyed the Inn, the Hampton Hunting Lodge, and the Halsted Cottage. But the McKees didn't give up! In 1933, they rebuilt and updated the property. The new High Hampton Inn opened for business that same year. The McKee family owned and ran the resort for 95 years. They sold it in 2017.
High Hampton Today
After 95 years, the Inn and Club were sold to Arlington Family Offices. This company works with Daniel Communities, an experienced management group. They now run High Hampton's club features, including a newly designed golf course by Fazio. The Beall family, known for their work at Blackberry Farm, also joined the team. They are helping to make the historic inn and cottages a place that can be enjoyed all year round. Today, dedicated families continue the long traditions of High Hampton.
Historic Buildings and Features
The High Hampton Inn Historic District includes 12 important buildings and one special site. These show the history and unique style of the area.
The High Hampton Inn
The main building is the High Hampton Inn, built between 1932 and 1933. It's a large, "L"-shaped building with a rustic style. It's covered in chestnut bark siding, which gives it a natural look. The Inn was designed by a local architect named Erle Stillwell. It has a wide porch that wraps around the building. There's also a Porte-cochère, which is a covered entrance for cars.
Other Important Structures
Many other buildings are part of the historic district. These include several cottages built around the same time as the Inn:
- Lake Cottage (1932)
- Hampton Cottage (1932)
- Halsted Cottage (1932)
- Chimney Top Cottage (around 1932)
- Rock Mountain Cottage (1941)
- Mayapple Cottage (1932)
- Lodge Cottage (around 1900 and 1925)
- Thorpe Cottage (1936)
There are also older buildings like the Wade Hampton Smokehouse (around 1890) and the Supply Building (around 1890 and 1927). The beautiful landscape itself, developed between 1922 and 1941, is also considered a historic feature.
The current High Hampton Inn and Country Club covers about 1,400 acres.
See also
