Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Chetola

— Blowing Rock History Walk —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023

1. Chetola Marker

Inscription. The beautiful Chetola Resort of today started more modestly. In 1884, Lot Estes purchased 100 acres including a horse stable and freight way station for the grand price of a nickel per acre. He built a family home that his son expanded and used as a high-end boarding house for early tourists. Silverlake was added, and it became a premier trout fishing spot and the village's source for winter ice to stock its ice houses. In 1892, William Stringfellow purchased the estate and turned it into one of the most beautiful private dwellings in the area. The mountain air helped restore Stringfellow's health, and he renamed his estate Chetola, a Cherokee word for “haven of rest.” William and his wife Susie entertained lavishly and gave to the community quite generously. They paid for our first library, rebuilt the Blowing Rock Episcopal Church, established our first Boy Scout troop, and generally helped the needy. In 1926, Luther Snyder, the “Coca Cola King of the Carolinas,” purchased Chetola and continued the tradition of generously inviting the entire village to his beautiful parties and celebrations. Remarkably, Chetola

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has had a number of owners, but all who owned this mountain wonderland have worked for the betterment of our community.

Caption: Chetola & Silver Lake

Erected by Blowing Rock Historical Society • Blowing Rock Village Foundation • Town of Blowing Rock.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 36° 8.058′ N, 81° 40.885′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. It can be reached from Lakeside Drive 0.1 miles south of Clark Street. Marker is in Broyhill Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 173 Lakeside Dr, Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the High Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023

2. Chetola Marker

Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Religious Heritage (a few steps from this marker); Philanthropy (a few steps from this marker); Medical Care (a few steps from this marker); The Blue Ridge Parkway (within shouting distance of this marker); Ski Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Tourism (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Education (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cone Estate and Family (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blowing Rock.

Also see . . . Chetola's History- 175 years!. In 1846, Lot Estes, Chetola's first recorded owner, purchased 100 acres for a mere 5 cents per acre. The only two structures on the property at that time were a horse stable and a way station for freight, passengers and mail. (Chetola Resort) (Submitted on July 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.