High Hampton Inn Historic District
Encyclopedia
The High Hampton Inn Historic District is an estate and resort nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina
, in the Cashiers Valley
in Jackson County
. Originally the summer home of the prosperous Hampton family
of South Carolina
, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Wealthy planter Wade Hampton II
purchased 450 acres (182.1 ha) in Cashiers Valley as an escape from the summer heat, humidity, and malaria
of the Charleston
and Columbia, South Carolina
region. The property became a favorite hunting preserve for the Hampton family and their friends. Young Wade Hampton III
learned to ride horses at High Hampton, a skill that served him well as a leading Confederate
cavalry
commander during the American Civil War
.
In the 1880s, the property passed into the hands of Hampton II's three daughters, who in turn sold it in 1890 to their niece Caroline and her new husband, Dr. William Halsted
, a prominent surgeon. Halsted purchased several adjoining farms and pieces of property, eventually exanding his holdings to more than 2200 acres (890.3 ha). The Halsteds both died in 1922, and a North Carolina businessman, E. Lyndon McKee, purchased the estate two years later. In 1933, the present High Hampton Inn was opened for business. McKee's descendants still own and operate the resort today, which includes a golf course, spa, recreational area, and restaurant.
The current High Hampton Inn and Country Club consists of 1400 acres (566.6 ha).
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, in the Cashiers Valley
Cashiers, North Carolina
Cashiers is a census-designated place and unincorporated village located in southern Jackson County, North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the community had a total population of 157. During the summer season , the population swells to 20,000...
in Jackson County
Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County is a county located in the southwest of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 40,271. Since 1913 its county seat has been Sylva, replacing Webster.-History:...
. Originally the summer home of the prosperous Hampton family
Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton may refer to:*Wade Hampton I , American soldier in Revolutionary War and War of 1812*Wade Hampton II , American plantation owner and soldier in War of 1812...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Wealthy planter Wade Hampton II
Wade Hampton II
Wade Hampton II was an American plantation owner and soldier in the War of 1812. He was a member of the Hampton family, whose influence was strong in South Carolina politics and social circles for nearly 100 years....
purchased 450 acres (182.1 ha) in Cashiers Valley as an escape from the summer heat, humidity, and malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
of the Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
and Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
region. The property became a favorite hunting preserve for the Hampton family and their friends. Young Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
learned to ride horses at High Hampton, a skill that served him well as a leading Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
commander during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
In the 1880s, the property passed into the hands of Hampton II's three daughters, who in turn sold it in 1890 to their niece Caroline and her new husband, Dr. William Halsted
William Stewart Halsted
William Stewart Halsted was an American surgeon who emphasized strict aseptic technique during surgical procedures, was an early champion of newly discovered anesthetics, and introduced several new operations, including the radical mastectomy for breast cancer...
, a prominent surgeon. Halsted purchased several adjoining farms and pieces of property, eventually exanding his holdings to more than 2200 acres (890.3 ha). The Halsteds both died in 1922, and a North Carolina businessman, E. Lyndon McKee, purchased the estate two years later. In 1933, the present High Hampton Inn was opened for business. McKee's descendants still own and operate the resort today, which includes a golf course, spa, recreational area, and restaurant.
The current High Hampton Inn and Country Club consists of 1400 acres (566.6 ha).