Historic Beauty

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: June 2024

Overlooking Whiteside Mountain and the rolling hills of Cashiers Valley stands a majestic farmhouse that evokes the precious memories of Highlands as it was, a family home tracing to 1938 and steeped in history and the memories of the generations who spent bucolic summers here.

Ridgecrest, tucked away on 4.18 acres, was built by Tom and Teresa Cook, and is still occupied by their descendants. This 3-bedroom 2.5 bath farmhouse is tucked among old-growth hardwoods and rhododendrons, beckoning all to step back to a gentler time.

These walls hold precious family memories. Close your eyes and you can practically hear children’s laughter and smell home-cooked meals, imagining carefree summers spent enjoying the cool air, climbing trees, hiking through the woods, hunting for garnets, and telling stories on the back porch.

That back porch and its majestic view are the stuff of local legends and were captured on postcards sold in local stores such as Potts Grocery, Doc Michell’s Rexall Pharmacy, or Bill’s Soda Shop. Many are the visitors who carried this view home with them as a memento of their time spent in Highlands.

Before Whiteside Mountain Road was paved, only 5 homes stood in this neighborhood, so undisturbed nature was theirs to enjoy. There were no phones in this neighborhood until the 1950s when a family friend, who was president of Southern Bell, arranged for a party line to be run to all five houses. Luckily, all of the neighbors got along, but if one encroached on another’s allotted phone time, squabbles could break out. This home and those who live here have witnessed many changes but always this home stands steadfast.

As time marched on, Ridgecrest grew. A dining room, kitchen, and carport were added. The wormy chestnut detailing in the dining room was transported from Moultrie, Georgia. It perfectly coordinates with the existing chestnut walls, paneling, and detailing throughout the house.

Later, two guesthouses, each with two bedrooms, were built for guests and summer staff.

In its prime, this home was featured in House and Garden magazine and many notable guests were welcomed by the Cooks. Most notably, during the waning days of World War II, an engineer associated with the Manhattan Project sought respite here as he shouldered the burden of impending history, knowing the impact of the coming atomic bomb. The dining room sideboard that remains in the house today was a thank-you gift from the engineer.

Still standing in its original grandeur few homes in the area have been loved by generations of the same family or boast such privacy, breathtaking views, and history. This is the perfect place to surround yourself with the peace and beauty of nature while being so close to both Highlands and Cashiers and all these communities offer.

This historic home is listed by Julie Osborn of Allen Tate Realtors.  Contact Julie at (828) 200-6165 for more information.