Glendale Springs Inn
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Set on a broad, tree-shaded lot in the small mountain community of Glendale Springs, this two-story frame inn was begun in 1895 as a one-story building and reached its present T-plan form after additions in 1902 and 1905. Colonel D. W. Adams, who had acquired the land in 1888, developed it as a resort, and mineral water from the nearby springs was pumped to a tower on the grounds to feed bathing pools. Through the early twentieth century it drew summer visitors from the Piedmont, Tennessee and western Virginia. Its later role came during the 1935 to 1938 period when the Works Progress Administration used it as headquarters for building the Blue Ridge Parkway, which passes only 300 yards to the east, and the porch was reshaped at that time. The inn's rambling form and enveloping porches are regarded as characteristic of early regional resorts, few of which have survived, and it remains a landmark of southeastern Ashe County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the inn is representative of the nineteenth and early twentieth century resort spas of western North Carolina, and that it played a role during construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway, when the Works Progress Administration used it as headquarters from 1935 to 1938. Its rambling frame form with enveloping porches is considered representative of early regional resorts, few of which survive, and it is regarded as a landmark of southeastern Ashe County.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79003326, listed October 10, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NC 16 and SR 1632, Glendale Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Ashe County |
| Listed | October 10, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003326 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Col. D. W. Adams (builder/owner); a British architect is reputedly employed for the 1905 remodeling |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Retains good condition but its future is uncertain; the property has been placed for sale after a failed commercial revival, with the upper floors largely untouched. |
| Acreage | 2.6 |
| Coordinates | 36.34521, -81.38083 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79003326.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17511572
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.