Before settlers came to the Blue Ridge, the Cherokee and the Catawba Indian tribes made seasonal camps and trading routes near Blowing Rock. Place names like Watauga and Tanawha reflect this legacy. The first European descendants to visit the Blowing Rock area were a group led by Moravian Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg in 1752. His writings noted the strong winds they encountered, now unsurprising for a place that would eventually come to be known as Blowing Rock.
The Scotch-Irish began settling in the Blowing Rock area around the mid-eighteenth century. Within just a couple generations, summer visitors would begin to come up from Lenoir to enjoy the cool fresh air, magnificent mountain views and the wonders of nature. Boarding houses like the Martin House on Main Street were opened. Soon, grand hotels followed. The town’s grandest and most famed hotel, the Mayview Manor, opened in 1921. It’s known for hosting many famous guests and even featured shooting demonstrations with Annie Oakley.
Some new residents came for the healthy mountain air, like William Stringfellow. He named his estate Chetola, meaning “haven of rest” in Cherokee. A few years later, industrialist Moses H. Cone sought a healthful retreat and began building on the adjacent land. He completed his grand Flat Top Manor overlooking Blowing Rock in 1901. Others came for the views and inspiration, like painter Elliott Daingerfield. He built three homes in Blowing Rock- the first being Edgewood Cottage on Main Street and the last Westglow, completed in 1917 and now home to a renowned spa, hotel, and restaurant.
Regional attractions and amenities grew quickly in the mid-20th century. The Blowing Rock Attraction was opened in 1933 by Grover Robbins during his second term as mayor of Blowing Rock. Years later his sons – Grover Jr., Spencer, and Harry – were pioneers in the local tourism economy. The Robbins brothers developed such attractions as Tweetsie Railroad, The Land of Oz, Hound Ears Club, and more. These continue operation today, along with countless other leisure opportunities. More about Blowing Rock’s history and culture can be learned at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
Blowing Rock remains a small town full of charm. There’s a welcoming spirit that was born in the hospitality roots of the village. It’s still a popular summer destination and continues this legacy of welcome today.
