History

1902

Lucius and his brothers Hiram and Asahel Morse purchase 400 acres around Chimney Rock.

1916

Lucius and family complete construction on a network of trails, tunnels, and elevator to the peak opening Chimney Rock Nature Park. This park would go on to be purchased in 2007 and opened publicly as Chimney Rock State Park.

1925

The Morse family has now acquired over 8,000 acres surrounding their initial plot and begins constructing a dam on the Broad River to flood the valley including the town of Buffalo creating what is now Lake Lure, named by Lucius’ wife Elizabeth. The family and investors had grand visions of a premier outdoors lakefront resort including luxury hotels, casinos, zoos, an airfield, and yacht club.

1927

: The town of Lake Lure is incorporated as the dam is completed. Simultaneously the Lake Lure Inn & Spa opens its doors to guests for the first time. The property embodies Mediterranean architecture inspired by the mountainous lake region of Lake Como Italy.

1929

Stroud & Company and the Standard Mortgage Company foreclose on the properties in the wake of the Great Depression.

1935

F. Scott Fitzgerald leaves Asheville’s Grove Park Inn for a short stay at the Lake Lure Inn & Spa amid a mental breakdown.

1936

The Lake Lure Inn & Spa hosts President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his motorcade for lunch on the lawn.

1943

During World War II the Lake Lure Inn & Spa and Arcade building serve as a rest and relaxation retreat for Officers and their wives.

1965

Town of Lake Lure closes on the acquisition of Lake Lure from the Carolina Mountain Corporations formed to own the lake after the foreclosures.

1986

The Lake Lure Inn & Spa hosts the cast and crew of Dirty Dancing including stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey while they filmed and practiced scenes at the Lake Lure Inn & Spa’s own Roosevelt Hall and former Boy Scout camp, what is now Firefly Cove. Scenes filmed at Lake Lure include the interior dancing scenes, Baby carrying the watermelon and practicing on the signature stairs, Johnny's cabin, the staff cabins, the golf scene where Baby asks her father for $250 and the famous "log" scenes.

2024

Ridgeline Investment Partners purchases the Lake Lure Inn & Spa from George and Hope Wittmer to continue building a collection of boutique hotels in the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains with plans for a significant renovation to further modernize the accommodations and amenities while maintaining the property’s historic character.