Hot Springs Tourism Association
Autumn Newsletter 2021
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Things To Do This Fall in Hot Springs, NC
The late summer heat is still warming our days, yet there are subtle signs that the season is changing. Evenings and mornings are cool, the sunlight is gentler, and a few colorful leaves have dropped along the forest trails.
Check event websites for details, special protocols and general change in plans before arrival.
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Every Tues at 6pm
Every Wed at 6pm
September 18
October 1,2 & 3
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Renovated Buildings Prior to Opening as Iron Horse Station. Paint Colors Chosen by Pete and Karen Nagle. |
The Buildings Prior to 2005 Renovations by Bob Sweeney. |
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From Bright Leaf Junction to Iron Horse Station: A Brief Look at the History of 2 Hot Springs Buildings
Now the sites of Artisun Gallery and Iron Horse Station, the buildings on the corner of Andrews Ave. and Bridge St. have an ongoing history of housing restaurants, galleries, and cafes in that space.
The building that now houses the restaurant/bar [...] was originally built circa 1880 and served as a haberdashery. The building had been damaged by fire and the rear of the structure had collapsed into a heap of bricks then, roofless, remained exposed to the elements for 35 years. The refurbishment was able to preserve the facade of the building, including the cast iron frieze, iron columns and aging brick, as well as the front portion of the buildings sides walls contributing to the charming interior with exposed brick and the original plaster walls. (City-Data.com)
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Bob Sweeney, a commercial investor from Charlotte, came to Hot Springs in the early 2000’s and was intrigued by the town. He saw the great potential of what the town could be. Soon thereafter, the buildings, which now house the Iron Horse Station, Artisun Gallery and Mountain Home Properties, were put up for auction. Bob Sweeney bought the buildings from the Ponder family in January 2005.
The year long renovation of these two downtown Hot Springs buildings resulted in a remarkable transformation of the look and feel of this rural downtown. What once was, and remained for 35 years, a gaping black hole in the block of buildings connected to the Town Hall, is now a sparkling bright and cheery spot welcoming visitors to this quaint mountain town.
The Bright Leaf Junction Restaurant and Hotel opened for business in November 2005. Mary Seaman and Richard Bale named their venture after a method of flue curing tobacco discovered in 1839 in NC. The Bright Leaf Junction brought new energy and plans to the space, which included utilizing the current Artisun space to cater special events. Unfortunately, these and other ideas were short lived. The business closed and the building remained vacant for some time.
Bob Sweeney came to an agreement with Pete and Karen Nagle (of Mountain Magnolia Inn) to bring the buildings back to life. The Nagle’s created a new restaurant, hotel, and a gallery next door for local artists to rent space and sell their wares. They named this new venture “The Iron Horse Station, Restaurant, Hotel and Gallery”. The Nagle’s established the Artisun model for today, by providing a wine bar, a coffee bar, home baked muffins, and other breakfast items to Hot Springs visitors. They moved the beautiful curved blue concrete bar from the restaurant into the gallery space, part of which remains today.
All this recent history echoes the evolution of what this space has become.
Article written by Alicia Araya and Cindy DuBose
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Get inspired by the work being done to educate and empower young girls in Madison County. The Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education, aka: PAGE Program, provides experiences each summer to our middle school girls, offering connective ways for them to learn the history of our area and get hands-on in storytelling, heirloom gardening, and more.
Read the Article, composed by Tiffany Narron, to learn more about this incredible program and how you may get involved as a partner or to enroll your Madison County girl for next year.
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Hikers and explorers will cherish this essential new guide to the hiking trails across our scenic county.
Local writer, farmer, and photographer, Sarah Jones Decker, created this guidebook for residents and visitors alike. Decorated with exquisite photos of vistas, wildflowers and trail markers, this book may also be enjoyed from home before venturing out.
The Ridges of Madison County, NC covers section-hiking on the Appalachian Trail from Max Patch to Big Bald, all of the hikes near Hot Springs, as well as the Shelton Laurel backcountry area and the Bailey Mountain Preserve in Mars Hill.
Order your copy at sarahjonesdecker.com or look for it at Artisun Gallery & Bluff Mountain Outfitters in downtown Hot Springs and Flow Gallery in neighboring Marshall, NC.
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Hot Springs Friends Succeed in Purchasing the Library Building
The Library and the County celebrated with the Friends of the Hot Springs Library in August as the Friends presented the paid deed for the current property to County Manager Norris Gentry.
The library has been located at 170 Bridge Street since November 2016. The Friends raised more than $350,000 over six years to purchase this building and all of its fixtures. The County paid for a lease that covered the monthly mortgage payments so that all fundraising efforts could be directed to paying down the principal. It has always been the intention of the Friends to donate the building to Madison County. This is an amazing accomplishment!
The BBQ for Books event has been cancelled for this October, however the Friends plan to host this event as a celebration for the community when the pandemic subsides.
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Music Video: Wild Goose Festival Performers Practicing in Chestnut Hall
If you were not able to explore the Wild Goose Festival this year, here is a glimpse of some of the musicians practicing in the former Methodist Church building on S. Spring St.
Sue Gurnee is now welcoming events in this space known as Creekside Halls, which includes the church (Chestnut Hall) and a large gathering space (Pine Hall) next door.
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We are located at 106 Bridge Street. Call us at 828-622-9932
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This edition compiled by Stacey Geyer, HSTA Administrator
with contributions from Tiffany Narron, Alicia Araya and Cindy DuBose
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