Wade Hampton III built his cherished Hampton Hunting Lodge on land near Cashiers that was purchased from the Zachary family just prior to the Civil War. Major Gen. Wade Hampton returned to the friendly confines of Hampton Hunting Lodge in 1865, and it was there, in 1876, that he learned he had been elected governor of South Carolina. Hampton also served as U.S. Senator during Reconstruction.

Dr. William Stewart Halstead, a chief surgeon at Johns Hopkins and the husband of Wade Hampton’s niece, Caroline, purchased the lodge in 1890 and renamed it High Hampton. Dr. Halstead and Caroline both passed in 1922 leaving no heirs.

Sylva businessman E.L. McKee purchased High Hampton in 1922 and built a two-story inn. A fire destroyed the inn, old hunting lodge and most of the other buildings in 1932. McKee rebuilt immediately.

A new larger (three-story) inn was built on the site of the old hunting lodge in 1933. E.L. McKee’s son, Bill, became president of High Hampton Inc. in 1952 when his father passed away. Bill’s brother, Lyndon, was vice president until his death in 1961. Today, William (Will) Dills McKee Jr., Bill’s son, is carrying on the tradition as president of High Hampton Inc.

The current High Hampton Inn & Country Club boasts golf and tennis, but much of the allure of the Inn is its visceral connection to those bygone days of genteel Southern hospitality. The inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America.

Patrons are asked to dress for dinner, including jackets and ties for the gentlemen. Better make that loose fitting jackets as the Inn’s renowned country cuisine is guaranteed to have you coming back for seconds. There is an afternoon tea and guests can participate in a rousing game of croquet or bocce balls on the manicured lawn.

The main Inn boasts more than 100 guest rooms and/or suites. All are designed and decorated to carry visitors back to simpler times. The Inn relies on windows, fans, shaded landscaping and a wonderful mountain climate to keep guests comfortable in the summer and a huge fireplace to warm away those spring and autumn chills.

The rooms reinforce the “period” atmosphere by being television and Internet free. These conveniences can be accessed, however, in the great room plus all 17 of the cottages are wired.

Fishing, swimming, biking, hiking and various children’s programs are also offered along with the golf and tennis. But there’s little doubt that it’s High Hampton’s mountain charm, southern hospitality and special setting that keep guests returning year, after year, after year ...