FLAT ROCK NORTH CAROLINA A SRetch of The Past FLAT ROCK NORTH CAROLINA A SKETCH OF THL PA5T Tr-e-n In 1 m , A I C. ) a. lV\\ A 1 1 e. ir o V) , Site of the Old Inn y ^ •^HE development of Biltmore, has brought Western ■ ^ J North Carohna prominently before the public, and ^^^ Asheville in particular, has derived many benefits from the Vanderbilt purchases made in that vicinity fifteen (or more) years ago. Comparatively few persons, however, know much about the interesting old settlement of Flat Rock, 22 miles South of Asheville, and several miles only from the thriving and fast- growing town of Hendersonville. Indeed, there are many who would not appreciate the quiet, easy-going life, where some of the most cultured fam- ilies of the South, spend the hot months of summer. Not so very long ago, the roads in and around Flat Rock, were all densely wooded and shady, and even now, though much of the woodland has been destroyed, there are still some lovely drives which are most picturescjue ; and in Spring the wild violets fairly carpet the pathways, while festoons of the wild-rose hang from their l^ushes in sprays of delicate beauty. 3 - •"■'"-i.'^g. ■•":;^'''y^>'^-'§:^- Argyle Unfortunately, the inevitable "shanty" has appeared in certain localities, and is always a blot on any landscape! Save for an occasional glimpse of an old fashioned house seen from afar, the drive from the depot is rather disappointing, and it is only upon Aisiting the different homes — some fifty in num- ber — that one really begins to find out the charm of the place. There is none of the rush and confusion of the typical summer resort; where cheap annisements abound; no Itoister- ous middle-class — and the very atmosphere seems charged with calm and refreshing influences. Howe\er, I must lea^•e the present attractions of Flat Rock, and try to make a brief outline of the life here in bygone days — when this part of the country seemed very far removed from the restless world, and "Going to the Mountains" meant hard traAclling, and most of the way through dense forests. The I.i.ag Another \'iew uf the hodne Bruoklanils BIRTH OF THE SETTLEMENT About ninety years ago, a few friends from Charleston, S. C, took the trip here to look for a suitable location for a summer resort. T liey finall}- decided upon the plateau, upon which Flat Rock later materialized, as most desirable for many reasons. The sceneiy being beautiful; for the peaks of the Appalachian ranges could be seen in the far distance, melting into the horizon ; ( 'raggy, and what is now called Blount Mit- chell, and Old Bald were plainly visible; Also, toward the North-west, a view now and then of Alt. Pisgah; and Bear Wallow, Sugar Loaf, Saluda and Tryon loomed up East, and South-east; while nearer, the graceful outlines of Pinnacle and smaller foot-hills, charmed the sight, with their ever- shifting lights and shadows. Hunting and fishing, too, were great attractions — the danc- ing streams so numerous in the vicinity were full of fish, and the delicious mountain trout, so prized by the epicure, were to be found in quantities, especially in Green river, seven miles Clnii.h "I Si, .lnli;i-ni-lhe-\Vil.ii-riH South of Flat Rock. The fine cHmate and deHghtful water were great inducements, also the fact that good roads were possil)le (the country being not too mountainous) which, in days of diffi- cult transportation, meant a great deal. THE PIONEERS Mr. Charles Baring, of Baring Brothers, London ; Judge King, and Mr. Daniel Blake, of Charleston, S. C, and Mr. Mc- Alpin, of Georgia, were the gentlemen who decided upon set- tling in this region. Mr. Blake went on, a few miles beyond, and built at Fletcher, but the former remained at this spot, and they built the first homes in the neighborhood. Friends soon followed their example, and before long, quite a colony of Charlestonians was formed. We find among them many names, most distinguished in the history of their native State of South Carolina; as Rutledge, Drayton, Lowndes, Elliott, Pinckney, ]\Iiddleton, besides many others. Just pause awhile and think what a tremendous under- taking it must have been, to stage all the way from Charleston across Saluda! The- UtTli.i> The old State road, extending from the coast over the mountains and on through Tennessee, nuist have been the scene of many a merry party on their annual exodus to their summer homes! One can easily picture to themselves the lum- bering, clumsy stage-coach, creaking and groaning, swinging from side to side as the poor, tired horses, urged on by cracking whips, crept slowly up the steep grades. The regular residents, however, drove up in their own cai-rirges, and were usually followed by a train of wagons, bear- ing luggage, groceries, and the servants, quite a retinue to each family. IN THE LAKD OF DELIGHT Oh! how delightfully refreshing the crisp, cool air must have felt to the weary passengers! how deeply blue the sky! and could they e\ev forget the stop at mid-day! by the side of some sparkling stream, shaded by kalmia and the gor- geous rhododendrons, whose cooling shadows made an ideal resting place after hours — no, days — of hard jolting! The usual t!me chosen for this journey wos the latter j art of May, the most fascinatini-Hii!'- 1 1 munity, bought property and were delighted with the neigh- borhood. Among them were Mr. Molyneux, British Consul at Savann;ih, (ia., also the Count de Choi.seul, at that time French Consul at the same city. Does it net eeem ([uite remarkable that one, bearing the name of cne cf the oldest and most illustrious families of Fianc e, should have drifted into such a very rem.ote coiner of the world? Years later, during the Civil war, his ecu, Charles de Chois- eul, joined the Confederate army. He was killed in Virg'nia in 1862. His grave and these of his two aunts and his mother can be seen in the peaceful little graveyard which suiicunds the Episcopal ( hurch cf "St.-John-in-the-Wildeinees." Ibis churdi, at fiist only a small chapel erected by l\Ir. Baring in lS.'j2, was afterwards, when the community grew, found to be entirelj- too contracted, so it was partly demol- ished and rebuilt in 1852. In the church are the memorial tab- lets sacred to the memoiv of Mr. Baring and his first wife.* *His second wife was Miss Dent of CJeorsia. 5' Teneriffe SKETCH OF THE BARIKGS Mrs. Baring was an English woman wliose first huslxand was Mr. Heyward, of Soutli Carolina. Tliey say she was very handsome, l)r:ght and amusing. Beth Mr. and Mrs. Raring were great factors in the de- velopment of Flat Reck, Ijeing public spirited and liberal in their expenditures and noted for theii' generous hospital- ity. Even at :'n advanced age, we hoar of Mrs. Baring indulging in her taste for large plumed hats, and sky-l)lue ribbons! Yet, in spite of these small vanities, she had plenty of strength of character, and even while suffering in her last illness, she ga\e ordeis that her coachman should ti-ain her horses to be driven around the house — up ;ind down her a\e- une— so that, when her spirit passed on to another life, her bodily remains should be taken to her gra^-e in a dignified and befitting manner. Their heme. The Lodge, was purchased in 1854 by jMr. Edward L. Trenholm, of Charleston, anfl is still owned by that family. IMr. Baring Ijuilt another home which e\ent- ually passed into other hands, and is now owned l^y Mrs. Bur- net Rhett, of Charleston, and hundreds of acres of land were owned by him around this region of country, and many a title deed can be traced back to him. ENTER THE LAWLESS Strange as it may seem, this secluded spot w^as in a con- stant state of turmoil during the Civil war. ]\Iost of the moun- taineers went on :' ■ J - Im ^^^"""" Rhododentlrons on the Piedmont Grounds 31 ILLUSTRATIONS FOKMEK OWXER NAME OF PLA('E PRESENT OWNER -.- Site of Old Inn Jn Jp -JiLl^ Judge King Argyle ..Mistt-iaattfrfT'''^^ - / Mr. liaring Tlie Lodge Mrs-JieiiimWh (7?*^'^>-^ Mr. Mulyiieux Brooklands Maj. Barker - - —Episcopal Church Rectory Mr. Middletcin Saluda Cottages Mrs. Seigling Count de Choiseul de Choiseul Home Misses Norton // J/jlA Rev. C. C. Pinckney Piedmont Mi.x.K . < Mil ct/^ ^/^-^'M'^^' Dr. Shoolhred Teneriffe _ Mr. Vincent 4t ^ Mr. Johnstone Beaumont Mit— WTTnHt>v^ e^rW^/^^ Rev. J. G. Drayton Ravenswood Mrs. Hastie ' Dr. King Glenroy Mr. Bryan Mr. C. G. Memminger Rock Hill Capt. Smythe Mr. H. T. Farmer ...Farmer's Hotel Country Club The Inland Press, Asheville, N. C. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 014 495 328 9