Bethel Rural Community Organization |
||
Cold Mountain Tours
Bethel community has maintained its strong religious connection and church affiliation since the early days of settlement. Bethel’s name is derived from its association with camp meetings prevalent in the area during the early 1820’s to 1840’s. To honor this religious tie, two historic churches and three cemeteries are on the tour. Tour guides at each location discuss architecture and family history of the churches. 2010 Cold Mountain Tour - June 26 - 9am-5pmTickets are $15 - We want the youngsters to enjoy and learn from this tour of history, so those 12 and under are free.
Ticket sales on tour days:
2010 Tour LocationsCruso School - Built in 1928, this building ceased to exist as a school in 1966. Today Cruso Community Club utilizes the facility as a community center to promote its many programs. The school houses a mini-library, craft co-op, and a thrift shop. The Community Club has maintained the school building much as it was eighty years ago. Cruso Quilting Club will be demonstrating the art of quilt making on tour day. Lenoir Devon Acres - Location of one of Haywood County’s oldest land grants and is one of the county’s longest continuing working farms (since 1806). The two hundred acre farm was home to several generations of the Lenoir family, including Thomas Isaac Lenoir, first Captain of the Highlanders, Company F of the 25th Regiment of the North Carolina Volunteers of the Confederate Army. Thomas Isaac Lenoir brought Devon cattle to the farm in the mid 1800’s, and this same line of gentle cattle is still living on the farm almost 160 years later. Cattle will be available for viewing. Children may feed the two donkeys on the farm. Osborne Boundary Oak – This tree was as in existence in the days before white man settled Bethel Community. General Griffith Rutherford, who pressed against the Cherokee, led his troops by this tree in 1776. Settler Jonathan Osborne purchased a 600 acre tract of land, and this oak tree was listed as a boundary marker in 1792. Learn the tree’s interesting history, including how Osborne family and community members have saved the tree three times. Kinsland House – This large Greek Revival-style home was constructed during the Civil War era on 8 acres of farmland facing Pigeon River. The upper two floors remain much as they were in the mid-1800s. In addition to a tour of the house in which detailed information about Kinsland family history will be told, tour goers will be allowed to purchase collectibles and yard sale items as well as bid, during a day-long silent auction, on the extensive collection of antique items ( beds, trunks, kitchen cupboard, dresser, pie safe, etc.)during the tour. Silent auction ends at 6 p.m. on tour day. Bethel Cemetery – Established in 1854, the cemetery reveals a panoramic view of Bethel Community. One of the most popular sites on the tour, the cemetery is the location of the grave of Inman of Cold Mountain fame. Visitors learn the haunting details of Inman’s demise on Big Stomp Mountain and his burial by his father. Bethel Presbyterian Church – Built in 1885, this church is the mother Presbyterian Church of Haywood County. Floor to ceiling chestnut interior provides dramatic backdrop for learning about the history of Presbyterianism in Western North Carolina. Truss Bridge #79 – Haywood County’s oldest ornamental bridge and North Carolina’s oldest working bridge was built in 1893 and transferred to its current site in 1925. Bethel Rural Community Organization has been an important savior of this bridge and its history. The bridge’s unique construction and design make it significant in bridge design, both in the state and nationally. Inman Chapel & Cemetery – This 1902 Universalist Church was built by James Anderson Inman (brother of Pinkney Inman of Cold Mountain fame). This congregation was responsible for initiating many of Haywood County’s first social programs. Discussions of current renovations, the history of universalism, and stories about the Inman family as revealed by Inman descendents make this a must see site. In the accompanying cemetery. many graves of Inman family members dwell, including grandparents of Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain. In 2009, Charles Frazier surprised tour goers with a visit. Blanton-Reece Log Cabin – Perhaps Haywood County’s oldest remaining log cabin, this English-style single-unit with shed addition displays dovetail mortising, extremely rare in the mountains. Reportedly built in 1821, this 360 square feet cabin was home to ten members of the Vess Reece family from 1925-2001. Learn how a large family can exist in comfort in such a small space. Click HERE to view details of some of the current tour sites and those of the past. |
|
|
The Cold Mountain Heritage Tour is organized by the Bethel Rural Community Organization. This self-guided driving tour with a docent at each location celebrates and preserves the enormously rich heritage of Bethel Community and surrounding area, located in Haywood County in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Historically, Bethel Community boasts its Indian heritage as well as its distinction as the location of the oldest settlement in Haywood County. This rural area is also fortunate to be the real home of “Inman” from Cold Mountain fame. The community, “Cold Mountain,” was essentially a fictionalized place that was named for a nearby mountain; actual events that happened in Inman’s life occurred in Bethel. Inman was born, lived, murdered, and buried in Bethel. Inman’s gravesite, the location of which has been quietly maintained since 1864 when he was killed, is featured on the tour.
Tickets on sale prior to tour at: