Edwards Hotel, listed on the NRHP in North Carolina
The Edwards Hotel is a three-story brick building at the corner of Main and Fourth Streets in Highlands, North Carolina, designed by architect Linton H. Young in the 1930s. It connects to an older wooden structure built around 1880 that once served as a boarding house and now operates as the main inn for the Old Edwards Inn and Spa.
The original wooden building was constructed around 1880 and served as lodging for travelers. The brick wing was added in the 1930s after a nearby golf club opened and attracted more visitors to the area.
The Edwards family owned and operated this building from 1914 to 1970, and their name became associated with the place. The hotel's mix of older wooden sections and brick additions tells the story of how Highlands grew as a mountain destination, with each part showing what travelers needed at different times.
The hotel sits at the corner of Main and Fourth Streets, centrally located with easy walking access to shops, restaurants, and hiking trails throughout town. The location makes it possible for guests to explore most of Highlands on foot.
Photographer George Masa stayed at the hotel in 1929 and took pictures of the surrounding landscape that showed the region's beauty and helped support efforts to protect the land, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His work from this location helped bring attention to the area.
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