By the time John Burton was 11 years old, he had dislocated his left elbow six times and undergone three surgeries in an attempt to repair the problematic joint. John’s early medical misfortunes, however, turned out to be a bit of fortuitous fate that helped launch him on a course from the waters of Lake Summit in Tuxedo, NC to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
Read MoreGrowing up in Flat Rock wasn’t the most “kid-friendly” place. There was no late-night hang-out spot (because everything closed by 8 pm), there wasn’t a park at that time, and most of the church community was above the age of 65. However, there was one location that brought children of all ages together. A place that inspired and encouraged creativity. A place that drew people in not only from Flat Rock, but Asheville, Hendersonville, Greenville, etc. This place is the great Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina.
Read MoreBeginning in the 1830s, Flat Rock became a flourishing summer colony as a number of prominent families made an annual trek from the low country of the South Carolina coast to the elevation and cooler temperatures of the mountains of western North Carolina. The tradition of spending summers in Flat Rock has continued for multiple generations and stories of those earlier summers live on in the memories and recollections of Flat Rock residents today.
Read MoreOne of the more dramatic and violent moments in the history of Flat Rock occurred during the Civil War. Beaumont, owned by Andrew Johnstone of Georgetown, SC, was one of the earliest grand homes in Flat Rock and during the final chaotic year of the war, a band of “bushwhackers” descended upon the estate on a warm June day in 1864 - with tragic consequence.
Read MoreIn the space of approximately seven years, what started as a dream has become arguably the crown jewel of parks in our region. The Park at Flat Rock is the perfect place to park your cares and lift your spirits. The story of a vision made real, here…
Read MoreNestled in a small strip shopping center halfway between Flat Rock and downtown Hendersonville, Pita Express is an oasis of Middle Eastern culinary delights with a Mediterranean flair. Owned by Lina and Mohamid Abuadas, each dish is delivered with a smile and is accompanied by a side order of love that infuses every plate of food.
Read MoreSomewhere along the way, I started paying attention to the rhythm of how the forest turns green and then eventually red, yellow, and orange in Autumn. Every year the wildflowers would return in abundance. They were like brief, annual visits from old friends. By Tim Jones
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Read MoreThe history of the Green River people includes many stories of moonlight entrepreneurs amidst exceedingly tough circumstances. As the Depression emerged, the mill-working farmers were forced to turn to moonshining and bootlegging, which thrived in spite of legal and religious condemnation and was a good way to make extra money in a cash-poor economy.
Read MoreStarr Teel, owner of Flat Rock’s Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and Campfire Grill, has embraced his life-long relationship with the summer camp experience. First as a camper, then as a counselor, and later as a passionate advocate for kids in camp, Starr Teal’s fervent belief in the benefits of summer camp has never wavered.
Read MoreAt a time when it is easy to question the future of humanity, we appreciate this hopeful story of Lilian and Carl Sandburg’s faith in people whose lives were uprooted by racial discrimination and the fear rampant in a county suddenly thrust into World War II.
Read MoreShareWell Coffee Co. and Roastery hosted their grand opening in Flat Rock Square yesterday to officially open Flat Rock’s latest addition to the Village’s charming and bustling commercial center. Judging by the crowds that swarmed the new business on opening day, ShareWell Coffee seems to be the perfect brew of quality products and happy customers.
Read MoreThe Rosenwald Schools are the inspiring story of two hardworking, successful men who gave back to the country in which they prospered. Conceived by African American educator Booker T. Washington, the Rosenwald School project was a massive effort to improve black rural schooling in the Jim Crow-era South when minority students received vastly inferior education and sometimes no education at all. An effort that eventually reached all the way to East Flat Rock …
Read MoreAs he stood on the Heidelberg Garden terrace in August of 1921, Robert Galloway placed himself squarely at the intersection of two extraordinary chapters in the history of Flat Rock. Behind him, and representing the past, stood the magnificent structure and intriguing history of Heidelberg House. Stretching out before him was the future … his dream of a spectacular new home for the summer Bible conference of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Read MoreDave Workman, co-owner of the iconic Flat Rock Village Bakery, maintains a surprisingly low profile at one of the Village’s most high-profile businesses. Despite an unassuming demeanor, he’s quietly building a burgeoning bakery business. And Flat Rock is a primary beneficiary of his passion for serving exceptional food.
His story here…
Read MoreThe story begins with an unusual request received at Flat Rock Together from an amateur metal detectorist living in North Carolina. Rebekah wrote. “A fellow metal detectorist acquaintance of mine found a class ring from 1943. Based on the engraved initials and history he believes it may have belonged to someone who lived in Flat Rock. Maybe you can bridge the gap in locating him or a family member.”
Read MoreBuilt in the mid-19th century, Farmer Hotel was the first summer hotel intended primarily for the accommodation of tourists and vacationists in Henderson County. Through its long and fascinating history, the hotel has served as North Carolina's longest operating inn for 170 years.
Those of us who live in Flat Rock drive past the property on Greenville Highway frequently ... but few of us know its full history. Author, Missy Schneck, tells that story here.
When we set out to write this recap of our favorite stories from 2021, it seemed a rather simple enterprise. But as we stroll back through 52 weeks of stories about fascinating people, places, and events in Flat Rock, we came to realize that it is an almost impossible - a perhaps rather arbitrary exercise to choose among so many deserving posts. Nonetheless, here is our list for 2021. Five great stories for another great year of bringing you Flat Rock Together. We hope you enjoy this look back into our archives.
Read MoreWhen I asked them about 2022, Annika spoke of her new life and career in Spartanburg and the chance to nurture blossoming friendships. I turned to Chris and asked him if he thought 2022 would be a good year for him. He sat in silence for a moment and then flashed a smile that presaged the coming surprise.
Read MoreElaine Thompson loves Christmas. It was her mother’s favorite holiday and a decorating feast every year for her family. It is a tradition Elaine happily carries on at Dunroy, the historic home she and her husband, Michael, own in Flat Rock. Elaine’s mother had a saying in their childhood home when the Christmas season began: “If you don’t move quickly enough, you’ll be decorated too.”
Read MoreChristmas 1993 will always go down in history as one of the best in our family. The path that was set almost thirty years ago remains at the core of Christmas for all of us – out of hand, out of heart.
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