Walk and Learn

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: March 2025

Just getting outdoors, breathing crisp early spring air, and moving limbs is good for body, mind, and soul.

But what if by taking a stroll, you could also expand your knowledge? Many people may not be aware that Highlands offers just such an experience.

The Highlands Heritage Walking Trail takes individuals on sort of a walk-back-in-time, self-guided tour focusing on the places that have factored into this burgeoning town since it was founded in the latter 1800s.

The “trail,” which is actually a listing of historical buildings and sites within Highlands’ business district – essentially the areas surrounding Main and 4th streets – was compiled by Ran Shaffner, the archivist for the Highlands Historical Society. However, the project was sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Highlands, and the Highlands Historical Society.

To knock out the Highlands Heritage Walking Trail, either in one fell swoop or in chunks, access the website on a smartphone, blueridgeheritage.com/itineraries/highlands-heritage-trail/, and learn from the list where each stop is located, the site’s origins, and what is there currently. Also on this website is a map with some of the Heritage Walking Trail sites pinned.

Put on those walking shoes and plan to see and learn about such sites as:

The Partridge Rice Home, built in 1883, which is now the location of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce at 108 Main Street. The Partridge family’s flour and corn mill was situated at the back of their property on Mill Creek. For almost two decades people throughout the town depended on the mill for their grain. The reason the history of the house shares two names is because after the Partridge family lived there, the house was the home of Luke Rice, a butcher, who resided in the home from 1909-68.

The Rice-Thompson Building was built in 1928 and housed Irvin Rice’s Meat Market and Grocery, with his brother Luke running the meat market in the back. Florence Thompson had her tea room here in the early 1930s, and Lilly Pierson ran her hat and dress shop, followed by Sara Gilder’s grocery, Bert and Harold Rideout’s Satulah Café and Drug Store and Dee McCollum’s Paintin’ Place. Wit’s End has sold ladies’ and children’s clothing here since 1940.

The first school, built in 1878, once stood where Town Hall now stands at 210 South 4th Street. The original Highlands School was constructed of white pine planks and children were taught there for 40 years. Saved was the school bell, which continues to ring in the Millennium Clock Tower.

The House-Trapier-Wright (Prince) House, constructed in 1877, is the oldest existing house in Highlands and has housed the Highlands Historical Society since 2000. It was built by Arthur House, who operated a sawmill. The frame dwelling with a multi-gable roof was then occupied by Frank Wright in 1913 and remained in the family as the Prince house when Frank’s sister, Lizzie, married a man whose last name was Prince.

The Highlands House-Highlands Inn, built in 1880 by Joseph Halleck, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 420 Main Street, it operates as a 31-room inn and offers a unique afternoon tea service – perfect for a respite after walking around town.

Dozens more places exist on this unique Highlands Heritage Walking Trail experience, which can be accomplished most seasons of the year. Impress friends and family and feel more connected with the community and history of Highlands by simply doing a walk-about town.