Near Weaverville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rattlesnake Lodge
The lodge was built in 1903 and 1904 for the Ambler family. The logs were hand-hewn chestnut and the furniture inside was built from timber taken off the property. Mrs. Ambler and the children went to the lodge as soon as school was out for the summer and returned just before school started in the fall. Dr. Ambler joined them every weekend and most Wednesdays.
Rooms in the lodge told of more than just a building but a way of life for the Ambler family. The main floor consisted of a kitchen, complete with a hot water heater warmed by a woodburning stove. A dining room contained the entire family at mealtime. An indoor bathroom served the family on this floor in addition to a living room and bedroom. Three large fireplaces used the same chimney and porches surrounded most of the home.
Company came often to Rattlesnake Lodge and the second floor included a large guest bedroom with bunk beds, a storage room and another bedroom [?] footbridge extended from the second floor to the terraced gardens and tennis court.
The Amblers sold the lodge in 1920 and it burned [?] 1926, probably due to lightning. Dr. Ambler became chairman of a committee that formed the southern chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club [?] predecessor of the Carolina Mountain Club [whose?] members still maintain the lodge are and Mountains-To-Sea Trail today.
Erected by U.S. National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 35° 40.098′ N, 82° 27.396′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is near Weaverville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway. Located on the Rattlesnake Lodge trail, off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weaverville NC 28787, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Brothers In Service (approx. 3.2 miles away); Warren Wilson College (approx. 5.3 miles away); Forster A. Sondley (approx. 6 miles away); David L. Swain (approx. 6 miles away); Francis Asbury (approx. 6 miles away); Joseph Lane (approx. 6 miles away); Weaver College (approx. 6.2 miles away); Zebulon B. Vance (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weaverville.
More about this marker. This marker is in bad need of repair. Transcription is best-effort.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2019, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 25, 2019, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.