Help the Proctor's Restore Pine Gables at Lake Lure

Help Restore Historic Pine Gables Inn & Cabins After Hurricane Helene

We are Jim and Robin Proctor, proud owners of Pine Gables Inn & Cabins, a historic treasure in Lake Lure, NC. Our family has stewarded this property for 77 years, preserving its legacy as the oldest inn in Rutherford County, dating back to the 1700s. Sadly, Hurricane Helene has caused severe damage to this beloved property, and we need your help to restore it to its former glory.

Why Pine Gables Matters

Our inn, listed on the National Historic Register, is more than just a business—it’s a living piece of history. The original log house, built by John W. Harris, served as a stagecoach stop, the first post office for the Chimney Rock community, and later hosted famous writers and travelers like Frances Hodgson Burnett and Edwin Gatchell.

Judge George Washington Logan (1815-1889) bought the inn in 1866, and it became known as the "Logan House". During the Great Depression, the inn and surrounding property was used as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Headquarters, an initiative that helped to promote economic recovery in Lake Lure. For nearly two centuries, Pine Gables has been a retreat for visitors, drawn by its charm, history, and breathtaking views of Chimney Rock and the Hickory Nut Gorge.

The Devastation Left by Hurricane Helene

Unfortunately, the hurricane has left our property with significant damage, including:

How Your Contribution Will Help

Your donations will go directly toward the restoration efforts of Pine Gables, helping us to:

We are deeply grateful for any support you can offer during this difficult time. We will keep you informed with regular updates on our progress and milestones. We will interact personally with our donors and work to offer future lodging discounts to donors. Please share our story with your network! No matter the size, every contribution brings us closer to restoring Pine Gables Inn & Cabins.

Thank you for being part of our journey to preserve Pine Gables. Thank you for your support and generosity. Together, we can restore Pine Gables to its historic beauty so it can continue to serve as a refuge for travelers and a symbol of our region's resilience and heritage.

A Legacy Worth Preserving

Pine Gables Inn & Cabins is not just a place—it’s a piece of North Carolina history. From its early days as a stagecoach stop to its role as a retreat for notable authors, our inn has been a part of this community for centuries.

It is heartbreaking to see our cherished inn damaged by Hurricane Helene. We are determined to rebuild and preserve this historic haven, and we’re committed to preserving this legacy. With your help, we can ensure that Pine Gables continues to welcome guests for generations to come.

The History of Pine Gables Inn & Cabins:

Pine Gables has provided a unique blend of history, hospitality, and natural beauty, making it a treasured retreat for generations of visitors. The original log house, built by John W. Harris, was a stagecoach stop on the wagon trail that became The Hickory Nut Gorge Turnpike, carrying mail and passengers from Salisbury to Asheville. Harris was the first Postmaster in the county. In 1843, this cabin, known as “The Harris Inn,” became the first post office to serve the Chimney Rock community.

The Harris Inn had a reputation for hosting notable writers. The first was G.W. Featherstonhaugh, a British writer and geologist. Henry E. Colton wrote two books about his travels in Western North Carolina: Mountain Scenery, the Scenery of the Mountains of Western North Carolina (1859) and Guide Book to the Scenery of the Mountains of North Carolina (1860).

In 1866, Judge George Washington Logan (1815-1889) purchased the inn, renaming it the "Logan House". A staunch Unionist and descendant of Revolutionary Patriot Major Francis Logan; Judge Logan was deeply involved in North Carolina's legal and political landscape. He served as Clerk of County Court, County Solicitor, Brigadier General, and a member of the Confederate Congress, where he opposed Jefferson Davis and worked to restore peace. Logan was also a leader of the pro-Union "Red String Order," which supported Reconstruction efforts in the region after the Civil War.

The Logan House remained a popular retreat for travelers and writers. During her stay, author Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote her play Esmeralda, which went on to become the longest-running play on Broadway in the 19th century. Locals still refer to a cabin visible on Rumbling Bald Mountain as "Esmeralda's Cabin" in her honor. Around the same time, Charles Duley Warner, a friend of Mark Twain, visited the inn and noted his enjoyment of the stay.

The Logan House was highly regarded by travelers throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Miss Chunn’s 1881 Guide-Book to North Carolina recommended it as a perfect stop for those exploring the scenic Hickory Nut Gap. In 1886, Edwin A. Gatchell praised its hospitality in The Standard Guide to Asheville and Western North Carolina. By 1887, the Seaboard Air Line Railway was promoting the inn as a key destination for visitors to the Chimney Rock area. In 1913, author Margaret Worley described the inn as a charming, old-fashioned farmhouse nestled in a beautiful valley, offering a welcoming retreat for weary travelers.

The 20th century brought significant changes to the Hickory Nut Gorge and the Logan House. In 1904, Dr. Lucius B. Morse and his brothers purchased Chimney Rock Park and began developing the area, eventually creating Chimney Rock Mountains, Inc. In 1924, the company acquired the Logan House and surrounding land from Judge Logan's heirs, using it as their main office while developing over 8,000 acres around the Broad River. The construction of the dam forming Lake Lure began in 1925, shifting the main road and leaving the inn off the beaten path for the first time.

Despite these changes, the Logan House remained important, serving as the company’s headquarters until 1927. However, the Great Depression hit hard, and the development went bankrupt. During this period, the inn became a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) headquarters, contributing to local infrastructure projects like the dry-stack rock walls still seen today.

In 1937, the Riddick family bought the property, turning it into a children's camp called ‘Tally-Ho!’ and converting the inn into the ‘Tally-Ho Club House.’ The tearoom became a dining hall, and cabins were renovated.

In 1946, Jim and Alice "Tootsie" Washburn, descendants of Judge Logan, purchased the inn. They expanded and renovated the property, building new cabins, ponds, and gardens and renamed it "Pine Gables." Once again, the property became a welcoming retreat for travelers and tourists visiting the Hickory Nut Gorge.

Today, Jim and Robin Proctor are proud to continue this 200-year tradition of hospitality at Pine Gables. Restoring the inn after Hurricane Helene means restoring a cherished landmark and piece of our region’s heritage. The Proctor family strives to bring Pine Gables back to life and welcome guests to enjoy this timeless landmark.

Thank you for your generosity and support.