Bonclarken

Bonclarken is a conference center spanning 63 acres of land in the hills of Western North Carolina with multiple accommodation and meeting buildings. The property offers suites, hotel rooms, apartments, cottages, and cabins along with dining facilities for guests.

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church purchased this property in 1921 after moving their summer Bible conference from Gastonia to take advantage of cooler mountain temperatures. The church established it as a regular gathering place for religious and community meetings.

The Heidelberg House displays stick-style architecture from the 1800s with distinctive corner towers, wraparound porches, and detailed gable peaks. This building remains a visual landmark that reflects the construction styles of that era across the grounds.

The grounds can accommodate up to 350 guests in different lodging types, each offering different sizes and amenities. Visitors should know that dining is available on site and the rolling terrain requires walking to explore different areas.

The name came from a naming contest in 1922 and combines Latin and Scottish language elements to mean good-clear-vision. This unusual naming approach reflected the international connections of the founders.