Chetola Resort is a mountain haven with a 175-year legacy, where guests come to reconnect with nature and each other. Nestled in seclusion yet just steps from downtown Blowing Rock, it offers year-round experiences that range from adventurous thrills to simple relaxation.
Lot Estes purchases 100 acres for five cents per acre. The property contains only a horse stable and a way station for freight, passengers, and mail.
Estes expands the property into a home and later a boarding house named Silverlake. In winter, it operates as an ice house, selling 100 pounds of ice for ten cents.
William Stringfellow, suffering from tuberculosis, buys the estate and names it Chetola, meaning "Haven of Rest" in Cherokee. He constructs several new buildings and restores the grounds.
The Stringfellows sell the estate after William's health improves. Their enhancements remain, including a springhouse, servant quarters, and horse stable.
J. Luther Snyder, known as the Coca-Cola King of the Carolinas, pays $36,000 for 36 acres. He adds a bowling alley, riding trails, and hosts large community events.
Luther Snyder dies at age 83. The estate passes to his heirs and stays in the family until 1972.
A group of investors purchases the estate and begins converting it into a resort. They build condominiums, an event center, and the Lodge.
Rachael Renar and her son Kent Tarbutton acquire Chetola. They commit to preserving the estate’s historic features while modernizing the guest experience.
The Manor House transforms into the Bob Timberlake Inn, with eight guest rooms capturing the charm of the 1920s–1940s and showcasing Timberlake’s signature Arts & Crafts furnishings. That same year, Chetola earned the prestigious Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge designation, affirming its place among premier angling destinations.
Chetola adds a spa with five treatment rooms, a nail area, a relaxation lounge, and access to a heated indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center.
After a kitchen fire, the Manor House restaurant is renovated and reopens as Timberlake’s. The redesign includes original Timberlake art and a restored early-1900s fireplace.
The Chetola Sporting Reserve opens on 67 acres at Blue Ridge Mountain Club. Features include clay courses, ranges, and fly fishing access.
The first floor of Chetola Lodge is fully renovated and is now pet-friendly. Chetola receives the Best Commercial Renovation award from the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Chetola is an old Cherokee name meaning “Haven of Rest.” We believe that the peace, beauty, and sense of renewal so many experience at Chetola are gifts from God. We strive to be a faithful steward of what is entrusted to us. Our mission is to serve every guest with love and excellence, regardless of belief. You are always welcome here.
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Best Fishing Lodge #2 Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock
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