The times., 1899-06-26
THE SAPPHIRE COUNTRY.
Attractions of Beautifui Section of
North CaroIfua


Sapphire, N. c., June 25.-At this season
of the year, especially, the bit of territory
round about known as The Sapphire
Country is very popular with persons on
vacation, and those who seek a cool, Sc
questered haunt for leisure and recreation
The Sapphire country is situated along
the table lands of the Blue Ridge Noun
tains, in Western North Carolina, at an
average altitude of 5000 feet 1t is
found about where broad ridges point
of from the main mountain chain toward
the lowlands of South Carolina and Geor-
gia- For the tourist, the sportsman, and
the health seeker it is a most attractive
spot. 1t is full of picturesque streams and
waterfalls. II has splendid mountain views
and lakes like crystal.
Among the many attractive features are
Fairfield and Sapphire Lakes. Towering
cliffs rise abruptly for a thousand feet
from their shores and cascades fall from
the surrounding table lands into the waters
of the lakes. Those who have widely
travelled assert that there is in America no
more attractive spot.
Until recently there were no accommoda-
tioGs for the public in the Sapphire Coun-
try. Entertainment is now offered, how
ever, by the Toxaway Company. at the
Sapphire Inn, located on Lake Sapphire; at
the Mountain Lodge situated on the sum
nit of Mount ToXaway, and also at the
superb new hotel, Fairfield Inn, on Lake
Fairfield. With its cottages, Sapphire Inn
will accommodate about fifty guests, and
it has spacious and well kept grounds.
The fishing in the lake is one of the fea-
lures.
The Lodge is three and one-half miles
from Sapphire and is accessible by means
of well-graded road. The Lodge prides
itself on its excellent care of patrons.
There are good liveries in connection
with these hostelries. The view TO be OBJ
tanned from the Lodge, which is on the
summit of an isolated peak, is probably
the most extensive to be had in North
Carolina. The Fairfield Inn, on the shore
of the lake of the same name, is modern
in every respect, with a good water sup
ply. baths, electric lights, etc. Its porches
are spacious, its public rooms commodious,
its grounds well kept. its boating and bath
ing of the best, and its general character
pleasing.
The estate connected with the hotel en-
| braces about $4,000 acres, and is well
| stocked with game and under careful
| patrol. There are seventy-fiye miles of
| river and brook fishing. Thes only hunt
| ing and fishing restri -tions are such as
would be in vogue on any well ordered
preserve. Fruits and vegetables are sup
| piled the hotels from large orchards and
| farms belonging to the company. The
| hotels also have their own dairy Hay
| fever sufferers find almost immediate re-
| lief in the Sapphire country. Springs
furnish guests with water that is alb
| solutely pure. On the hottest days in sum
| mer the thermometer has never register
| ed higher than 81 degrees, while the rec
ord shows an average summer tempera-
ture during the past four years OF 50 de-
grees.
Sapphire can be reached by visitors from
! the North and East coming via Ashevile
| and Hendersonville, n. c., to Brevard N
! c. Good Iiveries at Brevard furnish ex-
! cellent service and the drive is one of many
pleasures. A graded turnpike is now being
| constructed between Brevard and Sap
! phire that Will shorten the distance and
open up several points of interest Sapp-
hire Inn is open for the entertainment of
guests the year round. The Lodge open
ed on May IS and Fairfield Inn on June 10.