The Highlands area brings back many memories. I used to go to one of the old inns in the 60s with a friend of mine whose mother made pies for the inn. We would drive to Highlands from Western Carolina University to eat pie. Back then, there wasn’t much going on during the school season. Much has changed, and Highlands is now bustling year-round. During this same period, we drove to Atlanta (which is the closest metropolitan area) having heard of the Polaris room at the newly constructed Hyatt Regency. Not knowing anything about ordering drinks, we ordered martinis. The very wise waiter brought us grasshoppers. Highlands, this unique summer resort town with its rich history, wonderful climate and enviable way of life, is located in the Blue Ridge mountains of southwestern North Carolina, near the Georgia and South Carolina borders. The nature center and the summit of Sunset Mountain are just a walk from the downtown area. Several other mountains and waterfalls are also located nearby and are only a short drive away. Highlands is accessed from the east on the US 64 and from the west on NC 28. Highlands itself sits atop a plateau. At an average altitude of 4,118 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest incorporated towns east of the Mississippi River. Enveloped by the Nantahala National Forest, the Highlands Plateau is botanically and geologically one of the most unique locations in the world. The Benchmark on Main Street measures the altitude there at 3835 feet, while just a few blocks away, Satulah Mountain crests at 4,543 feet. In 1875 Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson decided to draw a line from Chicago to Savannah and another from New Orleans to New York, they thought it would become the center of population since it stood in the middle of the great population centers of the east. Highlands was the intersection, or close to it. Because of its ideal climate, clean air, and natural beauty, they promoted Highlands as a health retreat and summer resort. Even though it never really became a population center of the east as they expected, during the summer, people from all over the east come to Highlands to enjoy the cool weather, the relaxed atmosphere and the beauty of the mountains. It seems the predictions were not altogether wrong. Just took a while to come true. It was reported in a recent issue of the Highland's Newspaper that several real estate agencies in town estimate that the price of homes in the Highlands area has doubled in the past 5 years. This was in 2006. Going into 2008, prices have leveled off. Selection is great, and the welcome mat is out for buyers. The altitude and the climate offer a comfortable retreat from the fast pace of city life. A renewal point for the professionals and executives, Highlands is an ideal location for a summer home the entire family will enjoy. For a
Time Line with a personal touch |
