TOWN & COUNTRY

A trip to the peace and serenity of Montreat, North Carolina, may be just what your soul is longing for, surrounded by the stunning beauty of this little nook of nature. Traveling to Montreat from Cashiers is just under a two-hour trip north and makes a great day-trip destination while visiting the region. The small town is tucked on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Eastern rim of the Continental Divide and located on the western border of the Pisgah National Forest, north of Black Mountain. Montreat is void of any commercial development or traffic signals and where walking is considered one of the best ways to get around town.

The small town is where Billy Graham, the well-known evangelist, lived until his death in 2018 at the age of 99. Graham and his late wife Ruth raised their five children in a 2,500-square-foot home purchased in 1940 on Mississippi Road. The home, currently on the market, has been made available as a vacation rental in recent years. Once Graham gained national and later international notoriety, the family built another home in Montreat to have more privacy.

Entrance to Montreat

Montreat got its start over 125 years ago as a mountain retreat formed by Congregationalist minister John Collins, with funding for the project coming from candy manufacturer John Huyler. The town was incorporated in 1967; however, the name Montreat which sounds similar to the Canadian city of Montreal, actually has more humble origins as a blend of the word “mountain” and “retreat.” The town holds up to its moniker as it reflects the area’s majestic landscape while also serving as an ode to the lineage under the ownership of the Mountain Retreat Association.

The Montreat Conference Center is a popular destination in the area hosting an estimated 30,000 visitors each year. The center stages more than 400 events annually. The property encompasses over 2,500 acres of protected wilderness. While exploring Montreat, most will encounter the property of Montreat College or the Montreat Conference Center. Visitors can navigate by following the signs; green signs on sites denote ownership by the conference center, while blue signage marks property operated by the college.

Montreat is the main campus of Montreat College, with other campuses in Asheville, Charlotte and Black Mountain. The private Christian college, founded in 1916, offers four-year liberal arts degrees. Montreat College is home to one of more than a dozen frescoes by Benjamin Long throughout North Carolina. The “Return of the Prodigal” fresco is housed in the Chapel at Montreat College.

Nature surrounds this small community which is perfect for hiking or camping. The Flat Creek flows through Montreat, where visitors can follow the Flat Creek Trail. Montreat has a network of an estimated 30 miles of trails, including the Graybeard Trail Hike. In addition, Lake Susan is owned by the Montreat Conference Center and is a picturesque backdrop in the middle of this beautiful town.

While in Montreat, check out Ten Thousand Villages to find hand-crafted goods from artisans worldwide. The town’s motto, “a place set apart,” is certainly something all will find rings true in Montreat.

Lake Susan

Montreat is known for hosting a yearly festive July 4th parade through town. The small town of fewer than 2,000 people experiences a swell in population during the summer as vacationers spend time relaxing and enjoying the slower pace of this tranquil environment.

Local Treasures

The Bush Farmhouse

The cuisine and interior aesthetics of this restaurant make you feel like you are in South Africa. From the farm animals that include roosters, chickens, goats, pot belly pigs, and donkeys, to the cooked-toperfection food, this is authentic dining at its best.

Visit: bushfarmhouse.com

Lookout Mountain

A twin-peaked mountain rising 3,760 feet with panoramas & challenging hiking trails. One of the most popular trails in Montreat, the trail leads up to the rocky summit of Lookout Mountain with great views of the Montreat Valley and the Seven Sisters.

Mountain Nest

A unique gallery of locally and regionally handcrafted artisan goodies. All items are handmade by artists. Selections include jewelry, pottery, original art, wood carvings, and glasswork.

Visit: mtnnest.com