Near Newland in McDowell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rockhouse Restaurant
1936
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023
1. Rockhouse Restaurant Marker
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 35° 57.53′ N, 81° 56.56′ W. Marker is near Newland, North Carolina, in McDowell County. Marker is at the intersection of Linville Falls Highway (U.S. 221) and North Carolina Highway 183, on the right when traveling south on Linville Falls Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23175 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland NC 28657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Crossnore School (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Crossnore School (approx. 4.3 miles away); DAR Chapter House (approx. 4˝ miles away); The Weaving Room at Crossnore School (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Bell Tower (approx. 4.6 miles away); Apple Tree (approx. 6.2 miles away); First Mountain Parkway (approx. 6˝ miles away); Sounds From the Mountains (approx. 7˝ miles away).
Regarding Rockhouse Restaurant.
this page online
At the location of the (former) Linville Falls Tavern, the three counties of Burke, McDowell, and Avery converge at a point where there once stood a large tree referred to as the “tri-county tree.”…
During the 1930s, several taverns flourished in Linville Falls, including Rich and Rat's Tavern, Culbertson's Tavern, and Benfield's Tavern. They were famous for their “Wild West” atmosphere and drew people from miles around to the “social” activities.…
The influx of large numbers of people to this area encouraged C. J. Howell to use the lower portion of his acreage along US 221 to construct a tavern. In 1935, the tri-county tree was cut down and the hillside leveled for construction. The owners decided to build in the Rustic Revival style, in keeping with the style of the other buildings in the immediate vicinity. Opening in 1936 as Linville Falls Tavern, the building housed a tavern and restaurant, service station, and boarding house.
In 1947, Mr. Howell sold the Linville Falls Tavern to Guy and Phillis Huskins. In 1961, the Huskins sold what was known as "Linville Falls Restaurant, Gift Shop, Service Station and Store" to Otis Earl Lumpkin and wife, Joyce S. Lumpkin, of Miami, Florida. … In 1962, the Lumpkins sold the restaurant to the Albert Franklins of Linville Falls, who changed the name to"The Franklin House Restaurant." … the Albert Franklins repurchased it in 1986 and again opened a restaurant. However, the trials of doing this twenty-odd years later convinced the family that they did not wish to remain in the restaurant business. Leasing the restaurant to Louise Henson in December of 1986, the Franklins sold to Mrs. Henson, the current owners, in February of 1989.Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 20232. Rockhouse Restaurant MarkerThe red pickup truhk is parked in front of the marker.
Also see . . . (Former) Linville Falls Tavern (PDF). National Register nomination for the site, which was listed in 2000. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
