Ghoulies vs BT Thread 3 (Page 40)

We are very proud of the history of our property and indeed, of the region. The property is designated a Historical District on the National Historic Register. The 'Big House' at Pine Gables is the oldest structure that was used as an Inn in Rutherford County. John W. Harris built a log house here in the late 1700's- over 200 years ago! The house was built as a stage coach stop on the wagon trail that became the Hickory Nut Gorge Turnpike carrying mail and passengers from Salisbury to Asheville.

The Harris Inn was used as the tollgate for travelers going west to Asheville.  The first post office to serve the Chimney Rock community was established at the Harris Inn (in what is now the kitchen) on December 19, 1843, with John W. Harris as postmaster.

By the 1850s, a visit to Hickory Nut Gorge was a favorite excursion for travelers in the Western North Carolina mountains.  Already the natural wonders of the area such as Chimney Rock, the Bottomless Pools, Hickory Nut Falls and the grand panorama of the gorge were much admired.

Along with commercial and tourist travelers the Harris Inn was host to several noted writers.  One of the first was G.W Featherstonhaugh, a noted British writer and geologist, who in 1837 visited and wrote about the Harris Inn.  Two decades later Henry E. Colton wrote two books about his travels in Western North Carolina, Mountain Scenery, the Scenery of the Mountains of Western North Carolina (1859) and Guide Book to the Scenery of the Mountains of  North Carolina (1860).  Mr. Colton obviously enjoyed his stay at the Harris Inn.  He states in his first book, "the traveler, at his leisure, can find no better place to rest his weary limbs, or satiate an appetite acquired in the bracing mountain air.  An excellent view of the mountains is obtained from this house [the Harris Inn].  In fact, just here is the beginning of the grandest panorama of mountain scenery which is to be found easy of access anywhere in the West".  Colton's second book quotes the stagecoach fare for travel from Charlotte to Asheville on the Sullivan line of stages as $9.00.

In 1866 Judge George Washington Logan (1815-1889) bought the inn and it became known as the "Logan House".  Judge Logan acquired both fame and notoriety during his lifetime.  He was the son of John and Martha (Harton) Logan, and the grandson of the noted Revolutionary patriot Major Francis Logan (1734 -1826).  As a result of his family background, Judge Logan developed a strong sense of loyalty to the United States.  At an early age Judge Logan became active in the study of law and county politics.  He served as Clerk of County Court (1841-1849), County Solicitor (1855-1856), member of the Confederate Congress (1863-1865), delegate from Rutherford County to the  State Convention (1865) and Brigadier General of the Division of North Carolina Troops.

From 1866 to 1874, Judge Logan divided his time between his home in Rutherfordton and the Logan House.  During this time Logan was a member of the House of Representatives of North Carolina (1866-1874) and Superior Court Judge (1868-1874). On the bench he gained fame as an uncompromising foe of the Ku Klux Klan. (We are very proud of this).  Judge Logan's vigor to root out the Klan helped inspire charges of judicial incompetence.  The Democratic legislature of 1871-1872 considered impeaching him, but ultimately declined to do so.  In 1874 Judge Logan was defeated by one of his enemies and erstwhile Klansman, David Schenck.  After this last election Judge Logan spent his last years at the inn.

Just as it was in its earliest years the Logan House continued to be a focal point for travelers, tourist and writers passing  through this region.  It was while staying at the Logan House that Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) wrote her play, Esmeralda.  From the inn one can often see the appearance of a cabin on the rock face of Rumbling Bald Mountain, this, according the local folks, is "Esmeralda's Cabin" and a reminder of Ms. Burnett and her play.  Esmeralda became the longest running play on Broadway in the nineteenth century.  In 1891 Col. Thomas Turner built another famous inn three miles northwest of the Harris Inn and named it the Esmeralda Inn after Ms. Burnette'e famous play.

At about the same time, Charles Duley Warner, a well-traveled friend of Mark Twain, passed through in the 1880s. He made the acquaintance of Judge G.W. Logan and stayed at the inn.  Mr. Duley wrote that he enjoyed his stay at the inn but not the Judge's politics.

In 1881 Miss Chunn wrote The Descriptive Illustrated Guide-Book to North Carolina.  In this book she states, "the trip through the Hickory Nut Gap claims manifold attractions; the Pools, Chimney Rock, High Falls, Bald Mountain, etc., in addition to the wild beauty of the route.  It is suggested that several days be given to the pass, making the comfortable farm-house (Logan's) near the eastern end of the gap the objective point".

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In 1887 the Seaboard Air Line Railway, a major east-west railway, finally reached Rutherfordton.  In a  published advertisement titled "Mountainous Regions Western North Carolina" the railway encouraged tourist travel further west.  This booklet spotlights the Chimney Rock area and makes reference to the Logan House.

 In 1913 author Margaret Worley wrote of her stay at the Logan House: "Crossing a charming, though somewhat deep and rocky ford of the Broad River, you continue on up the beautiful valley, the mountains draw in about you, and you are at "Logan's," a large, old-fashioned farmhouse which was converted to uses of a wayside inn when the road went through to Rutherfordton, connecting the mountains above here with the low country.  Logan's is 'in the Scenery,' so they tell you a good many times while there - and unquestionably it is.  A beautiful cultivated valley lies about the house enchantingly surrounded by mountains.  The mountains of this region, although so individual in form, so picturesque, or so beautiful, are, according to General Logan, worth about a cent apiece, there is so little soil on them".

The twentieth century brought many changes for the Hickory Nut Gorge and the Logan House.  Dr. Lucius B. Morse and his brothers bought the nearby Chimney Rock Park in 1904.  Dr. Morse soon made many improvements to this tourist attraction and the dream for Lake Lure was developed. With several financial backers, Dr. Morse created Chimney Rock Mountains, Inc. and began buying land and options for land around the Broad River below Chimney Rock.  Chimney Rock Mountains, Inc. needed a large building to house its offices and in 1924, Chimney Rock Mountains, Inc. purchased the old inn and surrounding property from Judge Logan's heirs.   Soon this new development company had acquired over 8000 acres. 

The construction of the dam that forms Lake Lure began in the spring of 1925.  After construction of Lake Lure the main road was moved to the south side of the new lake. Logan's for the first time since it was built was not on the main thoroughfare. The inn continued to be used as the main office for Chimney Rock Mountains, Inc. until the Administration Building, one mile away and on the main road, was completed in 1927.  Well-to-do people purchased tracts of land, built large homes and cruised the lake in large touring boats.  Lake Lure was becoming a "rich mans playground". 

Then came the Great Depression. The lake's development companies went bankrupt and the land they owned was liquidated.  During the Depression, the Inn and surrounding property was used to promote economic recovery as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) headquarters.  Workers from near and far came in search of a "New Deal job".   Many of the dry-stack rock walls built at the sides of local roads were built by CCC workers.

In the 1937, Mr. and Mrs. Riddick bought the inn and surrounding property.  The Riddick's started a camp named 'Tally-Ho!' for small children.  The old inn was now known as the 'Tally-Ho Club House'.  At this time the tearoom next door was converted to a dinning hall/infirmary, a small craft shop was built, and the other cabins were renovated. 

In 1946 Jim and Alice Washburn bought the inn (The grandparents of the current owner).  Alice, better known as 'Tootsie', was Judge Logan's great granddaughter.  Jim and Tootsie renovated the existing guest cabins, built several more guest cabins (including the current Tootsie’s and Jim’s cabins), built several fishing and swimming ponds, started a large vegetable garden and the property was renamed "Pine Gables".  The Washburns’ once again followed the inn's tradition of catering to the travelers and tourists in the Hickory Nut Gorge. 

We are pleased to be able to continue the 200 year old tradition of welcoming guests to the property of Pine Gables in our cottages. Enjoy.