For information about
The Highlands-Cashiers
Land Trust please write to:
info.hitrust@earthlink.net

On October 20th, 2006, Margaret Rhodes Shaffner, Ran Shaffner, Rebecca Rhodes Thomas and David Thomas did something wonderful: they donated 10.3 acres of land on Highway 64 known as Rhodes Big View to the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust in memory of Robert and Antonia Rhodes.

The property was purchased in September 1983, by Robert L. and Antonia Rhodes, from Beatrice Ravenel. The homesite is directly above vistas that range from Cold Mountain on the Parkway to Devil's Courthouse on the shoulder of Whiteside, including Big and Little Sheep Cliff, Bald Rock, Toxaway, Rocky, Chimneytop, Timber Ridge, Sassafras, and Little Terrapin. Some of the earliest pictures of this magnificent panoramic view were taken by George Masa in 1929 and are on display at the Highlands Historic Village, according to Highlands' historian Ran Shaffner. Masa was renowned for his photographs of Western North Carolina's natural landscapes and many Highlands homes. This view has attracted sightseers and photographers from all over the world. To quote Margaret Rhodes Shaffner, "It was our pleasure to be able to donate this land, and we're grateful that the Land Trust was available to preserve it."

Rebecca Rhodes Thomas noted that "Their parents would be honored and touched to know that this view, which so captured their love of the North Carolina mountains, was given in their memory to the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. They felt that the preservation of this area was vital to our future generations."

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is a nonprofit organization based in Highlands. Its mission is to preserve the natural areas, scenic beauty, and green spaces of the Highlands-Cashiers plateau for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. The donation of Rhodes Big View will allow the public to continue to see awesome views of our highland peaks and ridges that stretch up to 27 miles to the rising sun.

Anyone that has stopped to take a picture of the Devil's Courthouse on the north flank of Whiteside Mountain has visited Rhodes Big View. Gary Wein, Executive Director of the Land Trust noted that, "while the View is a small place on the roadside relative to Whiteside Mountain, it provides a huge view of the surrounding landscape. We are very fortunate and grateful that the Shaffners and Thomases had the foresight and generosity to donate this piece of land so that all can enjoy this mountain view forever."

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust currently protects more than 1,100 acres of land in the Highlands-Cashiers area. The Land Trust protects land by purchase, by conservation easements, or by outright gift. Its work is supported by more than 350 members who are year-round or seasonal residents of Highlands-Cashiers and many others who have rallied to support threatened properties when called upon.

To learn more about Conservations Easements, contact the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust at (828) 526-1111.