High Hampton Inn and Country Club has been hosting luminaries, from Civil War generals to governors and senators, atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina since the 1800s. Now in its 85th season, the 1,400-acre resort was originally owned by the Hampton family of South Carolina, who traveled by train and then by horse and buggy to Cashiers, North Carolina, to escape the summer heat and mosquitoes that plagued them during the 19th century.

The most famous of the Hamptons, Wade Hampton III, was considered the wealthiest man in the South prior to the Civil War, and was promoted to major general after the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Financially and emotionally drained by the war, General Hampton retired to his beloved mountain retreat, where he later received news that he had been elected governor of South Carolina. During his time in Cashiers, General Hampton built the Hampton Hunting Lodge, The Church of the Good Shepherd, and a school for the mountain children.

Hampton left no direct heirs upon his death, so the estate was transferred to General Hampton’s three unmarried sisters. It was later purchased by his niece Caroline and her husband, Dr. William Stewart Halsted, chief surgeon at the newly opened Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, who renamed the property “High Hampton.” The Halsteds enhanced the beauty of the estate by planting exotic trees and shrubs, most of which still thrive on the Inn’s front lawn.

When the Halsteds died in 1922 leaving no heirs, the Halsted Estate went up for sale. E.L. McKee, a local businessman and industrialist, was taking a detour one day on his way to meet a vacationing governor, and as soon as he saw the beautiful grounds, Halsted Cottage, and historic Hampton Hunting Lodge, he decided to purchase the property. He and his wife constructed a two-story inn, and later a golf course and tennis court. During this time, Mrs. McKee became North Carolina’s first female state senator. The property is still owned and managed by the McKee family.

In 1932, a fire destroyed Halsted Cottage, the Lodge, and the Inn, as well as their historic contents. Despite the Great Depression, construction on a new inn and several cottages began later that same year, and was completed a year after the fire. The new Inn was larger than the original, with three stories, and was constructed completely from local materials.

Today, the nature-driven activities and summer camp atmosphere attract visitors from across the country, most of whom return annually. Because there’s no pool, swimming takes place in the 35-acre private lake, which boasts floating docks, canoes, a boathouse, and a children’s play area with sandy beach and playground. Since the lake is private, there is no closed season for fishing and no fee. Fly-fishing schools are held daily on a small stocked pond, where visitors catch rainbow trout, bass, and bream. Two trails lead hikers into the mountains: Chimney Top Mountain, elevation 4,618 feet, is a one-and-a-half-hour hike, and Rock Mountain, elevation 4,730 feet, takes an hour to summit. For a less strenuous outdoor activity, the Halsted Dahlia Gardens are a reminder of the legacy of the estate, having been first cultivated more than 100 years ago. Guests are invited to borrow scissors and vases from the concierge and cut blooms to decorate their rooms.

Golfers enjoy an 18-hole George W. Cobb-designed golf course, two putting greens, and a driving range, all with a resident PGA-pro on-hand for lessons. Six clay tennis courts keep your backhand in shape and offer clinics for children, juniors, adults, and seniors, as well as round robin matches. The Health Club is also available for more structured workout regimens. Opened in 2006, the 5,500-square-foot fitness and spa facility has a multi-purpose room for Pilates, yoga, and aerobics, and a multitude of state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment. Outdoor activities are available for younger guests, such as basketball goals, a playground, and the Beanstalk, an eight-sided, 28-foot climbing tower.

The majority of guest accommodations are found in the main Inn, styled after the great camps of the Adirondacks, with its classic tree-bark shingled exterior, big porches, and huge four-sided fireplace. In keeping with its historic character, no telephones or televisions are found in guestrooms, and the décor highlights wood, stone, and natural light. In addition to the 120 rustic and woodsy rooms and suites in the main Inn, High Hampton offers 17 cottages, many of which boast fireplaces and screened porches, and all of which offer views of the lake or mountains. No need to leave your favorite family companion at home, either, as the property can arrange special pet-friendly accommodations.

Gourmet buffets are set up thrice daily in the dining room and feature fresh, seasonal ingredients, locally grown vegetables and produce, and homemade breads. Tradition requires gentlemen to wear coats and ties to dinner, and their dates to dress accordingly.

Vacationing with teenagers can either be wonderful, or extremely stressful. Luckily, High Hampton has a gathering room for teens and offers activities like Frisbee golf, volleyball, geocaching, and kayaking. Children’s programs include donkey cart rides, nature walks, picnics, pajama parties, and hayrides. Babysitting services can also be arranged for infants and toddlers.

High Hampton Inn has worked diligently to retain its historical authenticity and remains a classic family- and nature-oriented mountain retreat. One can only hope that the property continues to gracefully embrace its past as it moves into the fast-paced 21st century.

Photo Captions:
Photo 1: Swimming takes place in Hampton Lake at High Hampton Inn. 
Photo 2: Although the property no longer offers wagon rides, its guests can enjoy summer hayrides.
Photo 3: Guest rooms at the Inn echo the outdoors with natural wood from the High Hampton estate.