Pinnacle Mtn. Property Owners Asso.

Kathy Johnson

President's Message:

The January meeting was held at the home of Ronnie and Carlene Styles, on Saturday, January 20, 2007. All the members of the Board were present and all the items on the agenda were discussed. We had a very healthy meeting with all committees reporting.

We are continuing to watch closely the developing of Queens Gap: lots being cleared, roadwork on going, developing Chalk Lake area. We all need to voice our concern to the Rutherford County Tax Assessors Office. Our taxes are going out of sight and the only benefit to us is the local schools.

The lower association has elected new officers and we have mailed them a letter from our association congratulating them. We will continue to monitor them through their transition period.

Your President,
Robert Graham

From the time that I was a small child visiting the Great Smokey Mountains and driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting Chimney Rock was always the final stop of the vacation. You heard great stories of Indians and bears roaming the area and seeing a real live bear while driving the mountain roads was a special treat. And the biggest thrill, having your picture taken beside an Indian dressed in animal skins and feathers with a Tepee in the background, beside that sign that stated 'Chimney Rock, North Carolina.". I know we all have those special memories that make vacations special. As we become the parent and grandparent, we want those memories for the next generation, so we take the winding roads to the Great Smokey Mountains and we visit Chimney Rock.
I read in the Sun News of Myrtle Beach, that Chimney Rock had been purchased by the State of North Carolina. What a great relief to know that Chimney Rock will live!
The 996 acre park is in the County of Rutherford and will be an addition to the states Hickory Nut Gorge State Park. Chimney Rock Park has drawn tourist to Rutherford County since a stairway was built in the rocks summit in 1885. At that time, Jerome B (known as Rome) Freeman owned Chimney Rock, having purchased it and the surrounding 400 acres from a speculation company for $25.00 dollars around 1870. It was Freeman who first thought of making a trail to the base and erecting a stairway to the top of the 'Rock' and opened it to the public in 1885.
Dr. Lucius B. Morse was a practicing physician of Missouri, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was advised to seek more healthful climate. Dr. Morse made his way to the thermal belt of Western North Carolina. He loved to wander the area and often riding by horseback, would ride down to the 'Rock' to view the giant monolith towering the ten-mile gorge. He paid 25-cents for a man to take him by donkey to the top. He was so intrigued by the panoramic vistas; he conceived his dream here, not only of the park but of the development of Lake Lure and the town of the same name. In 1902, with the financial backing of his brothers, Dr. Morse paid Freeman $5000.00 for 64 acres of Chimney Rock Mountain, including the 'Rock' and cliffs. He turned the giant tract into a destination for the well-to-do Americans seeking an escape from the polluted cities.
In those days, tourists arrive on horseback or in carriages from the railroad stations of Hendersonville and Rutherfordton. Dr. Morse and his brothers built a bridge across the Rocky Broad River and started a three-mile narrow dirt road up to the base of the Chimney. The dirt road and wooden bridge, 470 steps from the parking area to the summit of the Chimney has long been replaced by walking trails, elevator shaft and paved parking lots. Many small tracts have been purchased over the years which have expanded the Park to nearly 1,000 acres. The family has owned the property for over a century and protected it from developments. The property, much of which is untouched by humans, has noted rare plants, including the crevice salamander and the Indiana Bat.
The family placed even greater emphasis on the preservation of plants and wildlife.
The family celebrated the 50th anniversary of the elevator in 1999 and in November 2002, celebrated 100 years of the Morse Family dream to 'acquire, protect and share this natural wonder with the world."
The family agreed to sell the nearly 1000 acres which includes the main attraction of the park, the 315-foot spire called Chimney Rock, along with the sheer cliffs and the 404 foot waterfall. The private park overlooks Lake Lure, a panoramic 75 mile view of western North Carolina, along with the parks trails and Hickory Nut Gorge.
Chimney Rock is one of the most visible images of North Carolina's landscape and now as it becomes a part of state owned property, future generations will know the thrill of seeing a live bear on a winding mountain road and standing beside an Indian.
On the lighter side of Chimney Rock comes Grady the Groundhog who will make a personal appearance on Groundhog Day, February 2nd. Grady the Groundhog will make his own weather prediction. Will he see his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter or will spring be just around the corner?
See you on the Mountain!

NEIGHBOR ON THE MOUNTAIN:
This issue's Neighbor is Bobby and Sherry Graham of Goose Creek, South Carolina. When Bobby and Sherry purchased property on Pinnacle Mountain, they thought they would be leaving all their children in North Charleston and Goose Creek, SC. They had no idea that their daughters would be moving closer to where they purchased property. Rebecca, Ernie and their three children are living in Tailors, SC and Renee, John and their four boys are living in Charlotte N.C. Their two sons still live in the low country. Anthony, Tracy and son Landon live in North Charleston and Nathan, Wendy and their two children live in Goose Creek.
Bobby retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard as General Foreman and is now employed by Metal Trades as Pipeshop Manager. When he retires, Bob and Sherry plan to move to North Carolina and enjoy their home on Pinnacle Mountain. He has been an avid runner and has always had a love of nature. He thoroughly enjoys all of God's Handiwork. Bob has served on the Pinnacle Mountain Property Owners Association Board since it was formed and has served as President for the past two years.
Sherry is Office Manager/Financial at Harbour Lake Baptist Church, where they were members. They now attend an Inter-Denominational Church, Northwood Assembly. She is looking forward to all God has for them. It has been and continues to be an incredible journey.