A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina

“This guidebook succeeds in allowing people to introduce themselves comfortably to architecture for the pure joy of ornamentation, craftsmanship, and historical association. . . . It is timely not only as a record of where we have been but as a reminder of the range of choices the past has to offer the future. . . . Based on its quality and availability, it could have a greater impact on the appreciation of North Carolina’s architecture than any other publication in the last fifty years. . . . Because of its thoughtful organization and excellent presentation, this guidebook is a prototype in establishing an increased level of accessibility for those wishing to explore architecture from a regional perspective.” — Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians

“The book is a pleasure not only to read but also to use in the field. The authors devote more than eighty pages to an insightful introduction that summarizes the historical development of the western region and that deftly links architectural changes to broader developments such as Indian removal, industrialization, and the rise of the tourism industry.” — Journal of Southern History

“A stunningly articulate, witty, artful, but dry-eyed introduction to the architecture of western North Carolina. . . . There is no other state, certainly no large state, whose preservation efforts have been so consistently and effectively made available to the public. It is difficult to imagine a North Carolina resident who would not want to own this book (and its companions). Nor would a visitor to this richly diverse state want to plan a trip without immediately reaching for a copy.” — North Carolina Historical Review

“The three-volume guide to the historic architecture of North Carolina may top the list of guide books. These three books provide what is surely the most comprehensive, historically and culturally informative, and easy-to-use set of guides to any state in the nation.” — ARRIS

“Those who love the mountains, or love history, or want to know more about the kinds of structures that they see every day will want to own A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina — and keep their copies in their cars whenever they travel in Western North Carolina.” — D.G. Martin, syndicated columnist

“This architectural guide is thorough, invaluable, and surprising. As a native of western North Carolina and a devotee of its history, I am startled to learn how little I know about places long familiar to me. An indispensable volume for resident and tourist alike, [it] is also great fun simply to read!” — Fred Chappell

“This is as informative and as entertaining a guide to the diversity and complexity of western North Carolina’s geography, history, culture, and economy as we're ever likely to see. It fully demonstrates that there is no better evidence of the region’s richly varied past and socioeconomic range than its architecture. As such, this is a vital contribution to our understanding of and appreciation for North Carolina mountain life, past and present.” — John C. Inscoe, author of Mountain Masters: Slavery and the Sectional Crisis in Western North Carolina

“A prodigious amount of research and interpretation has produced a magnificent heritage cornucopia which meticulously portrays the rich scope and variety of architecture characterizing western North Carolina. For twenty-five western North Carolina counties it threads the architectural pattern from a New Yorker’s multimillion dollar mansion designed by a world renowned architect to a lowly tobacco barn erected without blueprint by a local hillsman — and in so doing it provides a historical mother lode of architectural culture which will be eagerly mined by current and next generation researchers.” — Harley E. Jolley, Mars Hill College

“Western North Carolina is blessed with marvelous historic architecture and this wonderful book captures it all. Like its counterpart focusing on eastern North Carolina, it is certain to become an indispensable guide for those who appreciate the best of our past.” — Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation