I’m bringing this sad news by way of a preliminary heads-up instead of a five-alarm-what-the-heck, but it is sad news either way. A very historic icon of the North Carolina mountains is either being partially or fully demolished by a new owner who seeks to build condominiums on the site.
Reports came last week from a Charlotte, NC news station that The Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, NC, circa 1891, was being “demolished”, citing official sources from the town of Blowing Rock.
Those of you who are familiar with the approach to Blowing Rock from Highway 321 North will recognize the inn as the first (and most impressive) structure you see when rounding the last curve at the entrance to town.
Notable visitors through the years have been many, including Annie Oakley, John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, and even Margaret Mitchell, who allegedly penned part of Gone With The Wind while staying here.
Needless to say, the news has hit social media prompting a firestorm of passionate comments - some of them conveying the mistaken belief that since this structure was on the National Register of Historic Places, it should be immune to harm (which, sadly, is just not true of National Register properties) - and others saying that the report of complete demolition was not entirely accurate. According to those, only a partial demolition is planned and the core of the historic structure will remain.
Visible demolition work is underway, which prompted the news reporter to go in search of answers, but conflicting comments in his post have now confused the issue. I have reached out to several sources for more information and will report back as soon as I know something for sure.
In the meantime, say a prayer for one of the last remaining great manor hotels in all of the North Carolina mountains.
Photo via Wedding Wire.
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So sad to hear this news. We would do better if we preserved our history and honored the past.
Sad that an investor couldn't see to refurb/update and keep it open. But obviously the financials weren't there for that model but are there for condos and a new hotel.
I believe historic preservation is getting harder and demolishing historic real estate is becoming easier. Because of the financials and because there's less interest in history. Let's face it, fewer and fewer people know of Margaret Mitchell. And the same goes for Annie Oakley, John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.
Here is Atlanta we're use to it. We've torn down everything old. Old stuff here is something built in the 1970s (maybe 1960s)!