From Mountain Village to Resort

From Mountain Village to Resort. . Following the Civil War, families escaping the heat and disease of the lowlands discovered the beauty and inviting seasonal climate of Blowing Rock. Captivated by the splendor of the Blue Ridge, tourism flourished. To meet the demand of visitors, William Morris opened the first boarding house in 1875, followed by others like the Hayes and Martin Houses on Main Street. Later, entrepreneurs constructed several hotels and inns, beginning in 1884 with the Watauga Hotel followed by the Blowing Rock Hotel, Rhododendron Inn, Green Park Hotel, and in 1921, the incomparable Mayview Manor. , Those families who desired to stay the entire summer, referred to by the locals as “Cottagers,” constructed seasonal homes, many of which still stand and are enjoyed today. Among these early residents were well-known leaders in the arts and industry, including the Cones and Cannons (textiles), the Broyhills (furniture), the Prices (insurance), the Stringfellows and Snyders (who expanded the Chetola Estate), and Elliott Daingerfield (renowned artist). These are names that still resonate today, particularly because of the many generous contributions they made to their adopted community. , By the turn of the century, Blowing Rock had established itself as one of the South's leading resorts. , Caption: Stringfellow Memorial Episcopal Church.