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Communities on this page:
Arden/Fletcher area Facilities
Note: telephone area code is 828
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Hendersonville/Flat Rock area Facilities
Note: telephone area code is 828
A bit about Flat Rock NC
Flat Rock began about a century and a half ago
with large summer estates being built in the English manner by the affluent
Charlestonians, Europeans and prominent plantation owners of the South’s low country.
The families of South Carolina’s Low Country came to Flat Rock to escape the
sweltering heat, yellow fever and malaria, which were running rampant. South Carolina’s
Low Country gentry call Flat Rock “The Little Charleston of the Mountains.”
The entire district of Flat Rock is included in the National Register of Historic places,
and Historic Flat Rock Incorporated is striving to preserve the feeling of the Old South.
Historic Flat Rock is home to several nationally known attractions such as: The Flat Rock Playhouse (State Theatre of NC), the Carl Sandburg Home (NHS),
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church,
Historic Woodfield Inn, and the Singleton Centre art
studios; as well as many unique speciality shops and enterprises.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site - Flat Rock NC
Residence of Carl Sandburg, the poet, There is a staffed visitor center and guided tours are available. Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian author, and lecturer spent a very productive 22 years - from the end of World War II until his death in 1967 - at his estate, Connemara. Today this National Historic Site reveals the inner lives of Carl Sandburg and his family and their 240 acre working farm which was an object of great devotion. The home, constructed in 1838, houses his personal collection of over 10,000 books, hand-written notes and papers.
Daily tours are offered (closed only on Christmas Day). The grounds, though extensive, are primarily wooded. There are two popular trails for those enjoying hiking: one to Little Glassy Mountain (not much of a challenge) and the other to Big Glassy Mountain (a medium challenge but well worth it if just for the view). The trick is to get in between the tour busses.
Connemara is located in the historic town of Flat Rock, just south of Hendersonville on US-25. If coming from Greenville SC, take US-25 up the mountain, exit on US-25, go left under the freeway and proceed to Flat Rock. The House is on Little River Rd off to the left (there is a very visible sign). If coming from Asheville or I-40, take I-26 to US-25 (exit 13). Turn right, follow US-25 through Mountain Home (after which US-25 becomes 5-lane) and on through Hendersonville to Flat Rock. The House is on Little River Rd off to the right (there is a very visible sign). Admission Fee.
Carl Sandburg Home NHS: 1928 Little River Road, Flat Rock NC 28731. Phone: 704-693-4178.
More Information: Carl Sandburg Home (NPS)
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Flat Rock Playhouse (The State Theatre of North Carolina) - Flat Rock NC
Considered one of the ten best seasonal theaters in the country, Flat Rock Playhouse has presented more than three hundred productions for nearly fifty years. A wonderful escape from life’s hectic pace, the Playhouse offers quality entertainment rarely found so far from Broadway. The Vagabond Players perform a variety of hits each summer, featuring comedy, American classics, musicals, farces and whodunnits. The Playhouse is open from late-May through mid-October presenting matinees and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday. For additional information or a schedule of performances call (828) 693-0731. P.O. Box 310, Flat Rock NC 28731
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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St. John in the Wilderness Church - Flat Rock NC
Listed on the National Register of
Historic Sites, St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church offers a unique perspective of
prominent families in southern and national history. St. John in the Wilderness was built
as a private chapel in 1833, on the grounds of Charles and Susan Barings’ home,
Mountain Lodge. The church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
in 1936.
Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard, those
names include: Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury; Rev.
John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston; members of the
families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; Edward P. King, the World
War II General who led the infamous Bataan death march. The church and graveyard are open
daily from 9:00AM-4:00PM for visitation. The church is located on the Hwy. 25 South in
Flat Rock, NC. For additional information call the church at (828) 693-9783.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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A Bit about Historic Hendersonville
Downtown Hendersonville was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March of 1988 and has become a vital part of the community’s economic and cultural growth. The serpentine street features planter boxes brimming with seasonal flowers, trees and thriving businesses such as speciality shops, antique stores and restaurants offering something for everyone of all ages. The district has a history of tradition, with hometown charm, playing host to many activities including the North Carolina Apple Festival held during Labor Day weekend, as well as art shows, street dances and parades throughout the year.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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Wolfe’s Angel - Hendersonville NC
Author Thomas Wolfe’s first novel was “Look Homeward, Angel”. In the book there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe’s father W.O. Wolfe sold the statue to the Johnson family, to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. The angel is holding a stone lily in her left hand and extending her right hand upward. Oakdale Cemetery in located on US-64 West, in top of a rolling hill just a short distance from downtown Hendersonville. The statue is protected by a wrought iron fence, and there is a historical maker located on the highway. The cemetery is open during daylight hours.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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Johnson Farm is a fine example of a
late 19th and early 20th century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was
handmade from bricks that were fired on site from French Broad River mud. The Johnson Farm
was the home of a wealthy tobacco farmer, Oliver Moss. Construction of the elegant home,
smokehouse, and granary began in 1876 and completed in 1880. Over the years many
outbuilding were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house,
and a cottage.
In 1987 the Johnson brothers willed their farm and personal possessions to the Henderson
County Board of Public Education. It was Vernon and Leander’s wish that the property
become a hands-on museum, a lasting example of a typical mountain farm through which
students could explore their heritage. The farm was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places in 1987. The farm is open May-Oct. Tues.-Sat. 10a - 4p, Sun. 1p - 4p,
Nov.-Apr. Wed.-Sat 10a - 2p. Johnson Farm is located on NC-191 North (on the right just
across from Rugby Middle School).
For additional information call (828) 891-6585. Admission charged.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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Western North Carolina Air Museum - Hendersonville
The Western North Carolina Air Museum is the first air museum in the state of North Carolina known as the “first in flight” state. The museum features award winning restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes. The hours are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12Noon-6:00PM (weather permitting). FREE!
The museum is located at the Hendersonville Airport, 1340 Gilbert Street. Mail address: P.O. Box 2343, Hendersonville, NC 28793
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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Hendersonville Depot - Hendersonville
The
first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in
1879. The steam engine needed a “helper engine” attached to the rear of the
train at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain
Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the United States. The
Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio
from 1911 until 1968.
Today the exterior paint has been restored to its original color. A Southern
Railway caboose is located at the south end. The depot’s baggage room houses
the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club and their HO scale model railroad. The
layout is prototypical of Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard and Saluda,
including the Saluda Grade. The depot is open year round Saturday 10a - 2p. The
Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. FREE!
For additional information call (828) 692-3135.
(contributed by Henderson County Travel and Tourism Bureau)
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