Town of Highlands NC

Highlands, NC Real Estate offers a wide variety of options to everyone...from those seeking quaint mountain shops to cultural art. The Highlands, NC area is known for its culture in the fine arts and theatre, pristine waterfalls and mountain vista views.

Let's take a trip back in time to see how the town of Highlands NC was born...

Founded in 1875 by two developers living in Kansas, so the story goes, who took a map and proceeded to draw lines from New York to New Orleans and from Chicago to Savannah. They predicted that these routes would someday in the future become major trade routes and where they crossed each other would be a great population center. Realizing that Highlands, NC is only 120 miles from Atlanta, they were not entirely off base with this thinking.

Located on the highest crest of the Western North Carolina plateau in the Southern Appalachin Mountains at an elevation at more than 4,000 feet, Highlands, NC was evolved into a health and summer resort. Highlands, NC being the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies which was common ground for both northern and southern pioneers a decade after the Civil war. Nearly 300 immigrants from the eastern states were calling Highlands home. In the early 1880's the town contained 8 country stores specializing in groceries, hardware and general merchandise, a post office, a hotel and boarding house for summer guests, a public library, four churches and a first class school.

Not much changed in Highlands, NC until late in the 1920's when the Cullasaja River was dammed, forming Lake Sequoyah which provided hydroelectric power. A beautifully scenic road was carved into the rock walls of the Cullasaja Gorge to Franklin and the muddy roads in and out of town of Highlands were reinforced with crushed stone.

The Highlands, NC Chamber of Commerce was established in 1931 and the towns population increased to 500 with 2,500 to 3,000 summer guests. Now, the town of Highlands NC had grown to 25 businesses.

Again, very little changed until the mid 1970's when an influx of multi family homes and shopping centers spawned land use plans and zoning laws indented to protect Highlands natural assets. At this time, Highlands population was just over 1,100 year round residents with 3,200 on the plateau.

The demographic mixture in Highlands, NC is very unique. From pioneers from all over the nation, tradesmen from the north, Scotch-Irish laborers and craftsmen from the surrounding mountains and valleys, and wealthy planters and professionals from the south, Highlands, NC has served as a cultural center for well known artists, musicians, actors, authors, photographers, scholars and scientists who have enjoyed the beautiful setting of the Highlands, Cashiers Plateau.

Today, the town of Highlands, NC offers something for everyone including outdoor activities, shopping, dining or the arts. Fine and performing arts are a popular part of life in Highlands, NC with a non profit gallery and many private galleries, as well as art shows being held throughout the summer months. 

Theater is a choice evening activity in Highlands since 1938. There are three theater groups currently that operate throughout the season and this year, Highlands oldes group, the Highlands Playhouse celebrates its 70th anniversary! Highlands NC weather is gorgeous no matter what time of year you are here. Cool summers and mild winters make Highlands NC Real Estate the perfect investment and destination for visitors from Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

When it comes to outdoor activities, there is plenty to do in this beautiful town of Highlands, NC. There are hiking trails that are accessible from the downtown business district as well as overnight treks into the Appalachians. Area waterfalls are abundant and easy to find as well as numerous for those outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities.

Added features to Highlands, NC is the fact that the neighboring town of Cashiers, NC is located just down the road from Highlands, about a 20 minute drive during which you pass an overlook to view mountain ranges into South Carolina that will take your breath away. Sapphire Valley is also just beyond Cashiers and provides additional activities with local crafts fairs, the ski slope, more waterfall and hiking and quaint shopping areas.

The beautiful area known as Highlands, Cashiers plateau literally offers something for everyone. Come and see for yourself why so many are taking advantage of Highlands NC Real Estate and Cashiers NC Real Estate opportunities. Once you come to visit, you won't want to leave...for long that is.

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