| |
|
|
|
|
Equal Housing Opportunity
|
|
History of Lake Lure
Hickory Nut Gorge, which now cradles Lake Lure at its lowest
point, has long been known for its year-round gentle
climate. Thanks to its sheltering peaks, the lower
gorge enjoys warmer winters (avg. low: 30 degrees ,
avg. snow: 2 inches) and cooler summers (avg. high:
90 degrees) ) than nearby areas. And the autumn
foliage is breathtaking on its rugged mountain
slopes!
The beauty of the gorge is evident in all seasons,
with its sheer rock cliffs, lush hardwood forests,
ephemeral wildflowers, and countless waterfalls
along its rushing mountain streams. What may be less
obvious to the untrained eye are the rich ecological
treasures to be found in distinct niche environments
at various elevations among its rocky outcrops and
deep, forested coves. The best known is Bat Cave,
the longest fissure cave in North America, with its
resident populations of federally endangered Indiana
bats and rare green salamanders. Lesser-known
treasures of the gorge include 37 species of rare
plants, such as the federally endangered white
irisette, and occasional sightings of such rare bird
species as the peregrine falcon, the cerulean
warbler, and the American bald eagle.
Early in the 20th century, Dr. Lucius B. Morse was
drawn here for reasons of health. He purchased
Chimney Rock as a tourist attraction, developed the
overlooks and first hiking trails of Chimney Rock
Park, and dreamed of enhancing its spectacular
mountain setting by creating an upscale resort
community around a manmade lake. He envisioned a
population of 40,000, 10 hotels, a yacht club,
botanical gardens, an amusement park, four golf
courses, fairgrounds, a racetrack and an airport.
But shortly after the dam was completed to create
his lake, the Great Depression took place, and the
development of Lake Lure was sidelined.
While Dr. Morse's grand plan did not survive those
hard times, Lake Lure and his 1,000 acre Chimney
Rock Park have survived, and the small-town quality
of life and the deep-forest feel of the surrounding
area have remained largely unchanged.
The Present
Today, the Town of Lake Lure owns and controls the lake,
shoreline, and dam, and though it does generate
hydroelectric power for sale, the town maintains a
fixed water level year-round for the pleasure and
convenience of residents, vacationers, and tourists.
It is a quiet, safe lake, loved for fishing, water
sports, and peaceful sunset cruises. Water skiing is
allowed during the day, but by town ordinance the
entire lake is a no-wake zone from an hour past
sunset to an hour before dawn. And apart from a
dozen grandfathered exceptions, jet skis are
forbidden!
Lake Lure has a full-time population of 1,000, with
as many as 10,000 visitors throughout the tourist
season (Memorial Day through November 1).
Residential development has progressed around the
lake's edge - including the Fairfield neighborhood,
with two championship 18-hole golf courses, four
tennis courts, and two swimming pools - but the
720-acre lake, with its 20-mile shoreline, is still
heavily wooded, and the scale of most residences is
appropriate.
In addition to the lake, visitors come to the area
for spectacular mountain scenery, for hiking trails
and horseback riding, and for such nearby
attractions as the Biltmore estate, the craft shops
of Asheville, the antique shops of Hendersonville,
the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cherokee, the home of
the eastern Cherokee Indian tribe. Lodging, dining,
and shopping options in the immediate area include
the 1926 Lake Lure Inn and adjacent Conference
Center, a range of restaurants, several bed and
breakfast inns, cottages and cabins, and a variety
of specialty shops in the Village of Chimney Rock.
The Future
Each week, more families from Atlanta, Charleston, and
Charlotte are discovering how convenient Lake Lure
can be for a weekend getaway. Many present and
future retirees are moving here, to the "Isothermal
Belt," rather than face the summers of Florida or
the winters of points further north.
While property values at Lake Lure have appreciated
significantly in the past few years, purchase costs
and the associated tax burden are still lower than
in many other comparable recreation areas. As of
this date, lakefront lots are available for sale in
the range of $240,000-$400,000, and homes on the
water can be purchased for $300,000 and up.
|
Neighborhoods of Lake Lure
Town of Lake Lure
Amenities
The town has a sandy beach, a variety of water-based
entertainments, rental boats, tennis courts, a park near the
water, and a gazebo. Town limits include all of the lake and
shoreline, and a significant portion of the land on the
south and west of the lake - including some areas of the
other "neighborhoods" described below.
Resources
There are several bed-and-breakfast inns, a hotel, a variety
of restaurants, two gas stations, three convenience stores,
a beauty parlor, a general medical practice, an ABC store,
and two marinas. There are churches of several denominations
in the town limits.
Housing
Many of the homes close to the beach and town center date
from the 1930's. Some have evolved from humble fishing
cabins, while others remain unchanged. Current zoning laws
prohibit mobile homes, but some were grandfathered inside
the town limits. Many new homes are being built in locations
which might have been declared "unbuildable" a few years
ago. Most of the roads in the town limits are paved. Home
prices range from $50,000 up, depending on the distance from
the lake. Property taxes for the county and town combined
are approx. $950.00 per $100,000.00 of appraised value.
Haynes Hill Estates
Amenities
This new gated community surrounds the restored Mission-style
Haynes Hill mansion on a deeply forested hillside above the
beach and town center. It offers generous building sites
with environmentally sensitive landscaping and forest
thinning to provide both privacy and spectacular lake and
mountain views. Streets are paved, utilities are
underground, and private boat slips are provided for
property owners.
Resources
This is a strictly residential area, but the resources of
the Town of Lake Lure are conveniently nearby.
Housing
The community features custom-designed single-family homes
in harmonious Mission and Arts and Crafts architectural
styles. Homesites begin at $195,000.
Lake Lure Golf & Beach Resort/Fairfield Mountains
Amenities
This gated resort community on the north shore of Lake Lure has
two 18-hole championship golf courses, several restaurants,
four lighted tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools,
miniature golf, trout streams, two private lakes, hiking
trails, and a private marina providing rental boats and
slips for property owners. There is also a nearby company
offering ATV tours, and another providing horse rentals.
Resources
There are two grocery stores, an Italian restaurant, a gas
station, and an small medical center. One
inter-denominational church is located within the Fairfield
community.
Housing
There are many condominiums and townhouses in this
community, as well as single-family homes. Since many of the
residents are retired, some of these homes are very upscale.
Some are located outside the gated community. All of the
roads are paved. Prices range from $40,000 efficiency
condominiums to $1,000,000+ homes. Lots that include use of
the amenities can be purchased for less than $10,000. Prices
for lakefront lots are in the $250,000+ range. Property
Owners Association dues are $938-$1286 per year.
Pierpoint
Amenities
This modest development, with a wealth of mature trees, is
conveniently located on the eastern shore of Lake Lure
between Lake Lure Golf & Beach Resort and the dam. Many of
the homesites enjoy great views of the lake to the west.
Even the non-lakefront properties have boatslips and the
grassy common area adjacent to the docks is available for
picnicking. The roads are paved and the utilities
underground.
Resources
Pierpoint is strictly a residential neighborhood.
Housing
There are currently nine homes in this community, ranging
from a 2-bedroom 2-bath log cabin to much larger homes.
Several reasonably-priced building lots are also available.
Annual dues for the maintenance of the roads and the common
areas have traditionally been very low.
Lake Lure Village Resort
Amenities
This gated community, north of the main channel of the lake, has
a laid-back atmosphere, with many recreational areas owned
jointly by the community. This includes a marina, swimming
area, and "common" areas for picnicking, etc.
Resources
Lake Lure Village Resort is strictly a residential
neighborhood.
Housing
Most homes in Lake Lure Village Resort are single-family
homes. There are a few "duplex efficiency apartments" which
occasionally come on the market but are sold very quickly.
The roads here are gravel. Prices in this neighborhood begin
in the $150,000 range. Lots are available in the
mid-twenties.
Lurewoods
Amenities
Lurewoods and related developments along the north shore of the main
channel of the lake are oriented to owners of single-family
homes. There are plans to build at least two docks for
community use.
Resources
This is strictly a residential area, but the resources in
the Town of Lake Lure are nearby.
Housing
Most of the homes in this upscale neighborhood have been
built within the last 4 years. Lot sizes are significantly
larger here than in other neighborhoods around the lake.
Roads in Lurewoods are also paved. Prices for homes on the
water are in excess of $400,000.
Chimney Rock Village
Amenities
The quaint Village of Chimney Rock is tucked along the Rocky
Broad River at the foot of world-famous Chimney Rock Park.
This bustling area includes shops and restaurants of all
descriptions and the gateway to Chimney Rock Park which
hosts over 250,000 visitors a year.
Resources
Churches of several denominations serve this area.
Housing
here are many wonderful cottages here that families have
used for years to escape from the pressures of big city
living. Roads vary widely from small trails just wide enough
for 2 cars to a 2-lane highway known as Highway 64, 74A and
9. Home prices begin at less than $100,000. Prices for homes
and building sites vary widely depending on whether the
zoning is commercial or residential.
Riverbend
Amenities
Riverbend, located in heavily forested foothills to the east of Lake
Lure, has two private lakes for fishing, boating, picnicking
and swimming. A stretch of the Rocky Broad River flows
through this section for tubing and swimming.
Resources
The Town of Lake Lure and other neighboring communities
provide resources for Riverbend. Churches of several
denominations are located adjacent to the development.
Housing
Riverbend offers single-family homes in wide variety. Most
are on heavily wooded properties located some distance from
their neighbors. Roads are unpaved gravel. Home prices range
from less than $100,000 to $350,000. Lot prices begin in the
$10,000 range. Property Owners Association dues are $240.00
per year.
Other Nearby Communities
 Bat
Cave, Gerton, Edneyville, and Bill's Creek. |
If you have any
questions or would like more information, please contact us
828-625-9439, 828-625-5242,
email us, or use our
online
request form. |
|
Buyer's Edge