Flat Rock Village Tour
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Village of Flat Rock
Flat Rock was founded in 1807 and during the early 1800's many of the affluent Charlestonians, Europeans and prominent plantation owners of the South’s low country built large summer estates to escape the oppressive heat of the Carolina Low Country. South Carolina’s Low Country gentry affectionately called Flat Rock “The Little Charleston of the Mountains.”
Flat Rock is quaint and historic village located three miles south of Hendersonville and about 30 miles south of Asheville. It's home to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Connemara, Flat Rock Playhouse and some local shops, galleries and restaurants.
The village occupies less than 8 square miles in Henderson County and is officially named for a still-visible great flat rock where the local Cherokee met.
Many of the town’s historic buildings now house unique shops and art galleries. It is located three miles south of Hendersonville.
The Village of Flat Rock is built on granite rock which is where the name "Flat Rock " originated. You can see the granite outcroppings out side the the Flat Rock Playhouse.
Many of the beautiful preserved century-old vacation homes and farms still stand in this upscale community.
The entire district of Flat Rock is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
Directions:
From Hendersonville Visitors Center, drive south on NC-225N for 2.4 miles and you will see the St. John in the Wilderness Church on the right.
St. John in the Wilderness Church
1895 Greenville Highway
Flat Rock, NC 28731
St. John in the Wilderness Church was built as a private chapel in 1833 and later the church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1936. It was the first Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina. Many well - known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard. The church and the cemetery grounds are open to the public Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00a to 4:00p. Gates are locked at 4:00p.
Directions:
Continuing south on Highway 225N for 0.6 miles and the Flat Rock Playhouse will be on the right. Turn right into the parking lot.
Flat Rock Playhouse
2661 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
The Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theater of North Carolina, is a professional theater which operates from March through December. A variety of comedies, musicals, and dramas, ranging from World Premiers to the latest from Broadway and London, the Classics, compose the summer/fall series. In 1937, a group of struggling performers, led by Robroy Farquhar, organized themselves as the Vagabond Players and in 1940 they were performing in Western North Carolina. Vagabond Players were looking for a larger and permanent home. In 1952, the troupe of performers made an offer to buy an 8-acre lot in the Village of Flat Rock. In 1961 the Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. The Flat Rock
Playhouse now hosts over 98,000 patrons annually.
Directions:
Leaving the Playhouse go through the parking on to Little River Road and turn right go approximately 100 yards or less to the parking area of the CarlSandburg Home which will be on the right.
Carl Sandburg House
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, NC 28731
The historic site consists of a circa 1838 antebellum house and a 1900's dairy goat barn. There is a small herd of goats to honor Mrs. Sandburg's world renowned accomplishments in breeding champion dairy goats. The rolling pastures, mountainside woods, trails and historic gardens are preserved to reflect the landscape that the Sandburg's enjoyed. The 264 acre farm also includes rolling pastures, hiking trails, two small lakes, several ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an apple orchard.
Carl Sandburg moved to Flat Rock, North Carolina in 1945 for the peace and solitude he desired for his writing. He brought with him over 10,000 books, notes and papers which took several railroad cars to move them. He worked and live at Connemara for 22 years. Today you can take a tour of Carl Sandburg's home with a tour guide who will give you interesting information about Carl Sandburg and his wife and family. Also, don't forget to visit Mrs. Sandburg's world-renowned herd of dairy goats. You are permitted to walk among the goats, pet them and even have your picture taken with the goats by your friends.
Directions:
After leaving Carl's Sandburg parking lot turn right on to Little River Road and go to the traffic light where you will see the Old Post Office directly in front of you.
Old Post Office
2680 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
The Old Post Office was built around 1837 by Rev. Peter Stradley. He was a Baptist minister, a blacksmith, storekeeper and postmaster, a position he kept until after the Civil War. This building was the first designated post office location. Prior to this, mail was collected at local inns or taverns.
In 1979 the Old Post Office building was purchased by the Historic Flat Rock, Inc. and was completely renovated. The upper floor is used as offices and the first floor houses the HFR Cultural Center/Museum, fulfilling its Mission to make artifacts and collections available to the public.
Directions:
Drive 0.1 miles south on Hwy 225-N
Shops at Rainbow Row
In the heart of Flat Rock you'll find original artwork, gifts, crafts, antiques and great food. Visit the shops located at the corner of Hwy 225N (Greenville Hwy) and West Blue Ridge Road known as Little Rainbow Row. At the corner is The Wrinkled Egg. This building was built around 1890 and was Peace's Grocery, the community's only general store until the early 1980s. For over 20 years, The Wrinkled Egg has anchored Flat Rock's colorful corner.