Much of the magic and history of western North Carolina is intertwined with the history of prominent families who acquired a passion for the mountains and made preservation their life’s work. The story of Lake Lure and Dr. Lucius B. Morse cannot be separated from one another. His legacy is the community of Lake Lure and his life has inevitably affected those who continue to enjoy the lake and the surrounding beauty of western North Carolina.

In 1902, Morse was suffering from poor health. As was the custom of the time, his doctor recommended a change of scenery and “air.” His health crisis resulted in a trip to Western North Carolina and his first glimpse of Chimney Rock. Not only did he find the perfect place to rest and recuperate, he became inspired by the surrounding landscape and moved quickly to purchase the rock. With the help of his two older brothers, the Morse family was able to make an initial purchase 64 acres of land. They immediately started making improvements so that tourists could have easy access to Chimney Rock and the wonderful views it has to offer. They built bridges, roads, stairways, and miles of trails that are still used today.

Over the years, the Morse brothers continued to add to their holdings in the region, eventually accumulating 8,000 acres of land. Their love affair with the area was obvious and with enough land to build an expansive resort, their ambition was limitless. They envisioned a resort community centered around a grand and idyllic lake. By 1927, construction on a dam that would pool the waters of the nearby French Broad River had been completed and the lake was now a permanent resident of the area. With 27 miles of shoreline, it was the perfect place to build a resort community that would attract tourists.

Unfortunately, the Great Depression eventually put a stop to the construction of the resort. The lake remained, but the Morse family had to give up the lake and focus their energies on developing chimney Rock into a vacation destination. Throughout the years, both the dam and the lake have passed through several phases of ownership. Today the Lake is owned by the town of Lake Lure and all the power generated from the dam goes to Duke Energy. Although Dr. Morse was never able to bring his dream of a grand resort set in the Appalachian Mountains into fruition, Lake Lure is now a beautiful tourist attraction and a prime location for coveted, lakeside real estate.

Unfortunately, the Great Depression eventually put a stop to the construction of the resort. The lake remained, but the Morse family had to give up the lake and focus their energies on developing chimney Rock into a vacation destination. Throughout the years, both the dam and the lake have passed through several phases of ownership. Today the Lake is owned by the town of Lake Lure and all the power generated from the dam goes to Duke Energy. Although Dr. Morse was never able to bring his dream of a grand resort set in the Appalachian Mountains into fruition, Lake Lure is now a beautiful tourist attraction and a prime location for coveted, lakeside real estate.

The lake has also gained some notoriety as a prime setting for several iconic movies. Scenes from My Fellow Americans and Last of the Mohicans were shot on location at the lake, but perhaps the most famous movie that has claimed Lake Lure as its backdrop is Dirty Dancing. In fact, one of the most memorable scenes, where Patrick Swayze is trying to teach Jennifer Grey a key dance lift in the water, was filmed at Lake Lure. The natural beauty of the area that first attracted the attention of Dr. Morse continues to have draw people from all over the country, including Hollywood producers looking for the perfect scenery for their films.

The lake has also gained some notoriety as a prime setting for several iconic movies. Scenes from My Fellow Americans and Last of the Mohicans were shot on location at the lake, but perhaps the most famous movie that has claimed Lake Lure as its backdrop is Dirty Dancing. In fact, one of the most memorable scenes, where Patrick Swayze is trying to teach Jennifer Grey a key dance lift in the water, was filmed at Lake Lure. The natural beauty of the area that first attracted the attention of Dr. Morse continues to have draw people from all over the country, including Hollywood producers looking for the perfect scenery for their films.

Vacation Homes Close To Lake Lure

real estate for sale near lake lure

In the end, Dr. Morse may have not been able to build his resort, but he was able to reshape the local landscape in a positive way and spread his passion for the mountains of western North Carolina. He was able to turn a rural community into a great place to visit and live. Despite the beauty of the area, property and cost of living prices remain surprisingly low. It isn’t everyday that you come across a hidden paradise that is also affordable. Residents get to enjoy the luxury of being able to live in and explore one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

If your dream home is a log cabin, tucked away, high in the mountains where the nearby hiking trails call you name, then Asheville, North Carolina might be the right place for you. Unfortunately, this beautiful city in the Blue Ridge Mountains has also attracted a lot of other liked minded people, which means that living your dream might also break your budget. For those who can afford to live in Asheville, it is certainly a centrally located destination, but that doesn’t mean that those of us who are looking for something a little more affordable don’t have options.

The area in and around Asheville is mainly made up of state parks. The Pisgah National Forest, just east of Asheville spans over 150,000 acres and is bordered by idyllic small towns that are located just a short drive from the cultural and entertainment attractions of Asheville. Marion and Black Mountain both have all the charm you would expect from small mountain towns and they are filled with local entrepreneurs and artisans who have a real passion for the area. But perhaps most importantly, these towns offer affordable housing that caters specifically to people who are interested in hiking, kayaking, and any other activity that gets them outdoors and interacting with nature.

If you are more interested in buying a log cabin that is located in a development or log cabin community, then you should head south of Asheville to Hendersonville and Brevard. These two cities are both a little bit bigger and full of history. Hendersonville was one of the first and only train stops that would bring visitors deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Today, it has a well preserved historic district and outlying areas that are home to some of the best log cabin living the state has to offer. From both Hendersonville you will be close to Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and Dupont State Forest.

Many people looking to relocate to this area often make the mistake of not exploring areas west of Asheville, but some might argue that the scenery becomes more beautiful as the Blue Ridge Mountains begin to merge with the Smoky Mountains. If you are looking to take advantage of the natural beauty that North Carolina has to offer without taking on a mortgage that doesn’t leave much room for other expenses, you should look into the log cabin communities located in or near Maggie Valley. As you drive through town, you will notice an abundance of hotels and motels that house vacationers year-round, but just off the main drag are beautiful communities constructed by some of the most reputable and established builders in the area.

Many people looking to relocate to this area often make the mistake of not exploring areas west of Asheville, but some might argue that the scenery becomes more beautiful as the Blue Ridge Mountains begin to merge with the Smoky Mountains. If you are looking to take advantage of the natural beauty that North Carolina has to offer without taking on a mortgage that doesn’t leave much room for other expenses, you should look into the log cabin communities located in or near Maggie Valley. As you drive through town, you will notice an abundaNCe of hotels and motels that house vacationers year-round, but just off the main drag are beautiful communities constructed by some of the most reputable and established builders in the area.

So while Asheville might be the first obvious choice when it comes to log cabin and mountain living, you shouldn’t be too quick to overlook some of the other wonderful areas surrounding the city. Most of the “suburbs” of Asheville get overlooked, but with a little research and exploring, you will be able to find a location that not only offers spectacular views, but also falls well within your budget. There is no reason to delay your dream of living among and hiking the mountains because of money constraints. There many affordable options of Land For Sale Near Asheville NC just waiting for the right owner. Fill out our contact us for or subscribe to our RSS NEWS FEED for our Asheville N.C. Real Estate Articles +.