Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site (NC)
Read MoreCradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site
The 6,500-acre Historic Site as seen from above along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The valley below is known as the 'Pink Beds' and, at the time of the school, was a patchwork of farmland and forest...
Cradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site
The entrance to the Historic Site off US-276 north of Brevard...
Cradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site
This is the 'new' visitor center for the Historic Site. The original burned to the ground in 1985 and this is the structure which replaced it. Bigger and better, this center houses some impressive interpretive displays, artifacts, a gift shop, and small restaurant...
Cradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site
This is a portion of the impressive interpretive area inside the visitor center. It depicts in vivid detail the natural processes of the forest community and explains the modern understanding of sustainable forestry...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Plymouth Rock of Forestry
Erected by alumni of the Biltmore Forest School in 1950, this small stone and plaque memorialize the founding of America's first forestry school which was founded here in 1898...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schoolhouse
Constructed ca. 1891; reconstructed ca. 1965 -- Before Schenck moved his school to the Pink Beds this building served local residents as a primary school and church building. Schenck utilized the structure for similar purposes and even provided funds for the addition of an organ. After the school closed the building slowly deteriorated but, through donations by alumni was reconstructed in the mid-1960's...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schoolhouse (interior)
Constructed ca. 1891; reconstructed ca. 1965 -- Before Schenck moved his school to the Pink Beds this building served local residents as a primary school and church building. Schenck utilized the structure for similar purposes and even provided funds for the addition of an organ. After the school closed the building slowly deteriorated but, through donations by alumni was reconstructed in the mid-1960's...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling
Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling
Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling (interior)
this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms. This room is located on the main floor...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling (interior)
this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms. This photo is of the kitchen on the main floor...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Commissary
The Commissary, located alongside the Rangers Dwelling, was a social center of sorts for the Forestry School. Here students would grab a quick lunch, play any number of lawn games, or simply catch up on the latest news. Today the Commissary is packed full of period artifacts and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes exploring...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Commissary
The Commissary, located alongside the Rangers Dwelling, was a social center of sorts for the Forestry School. Here students would grab a quick lunch, play any number of lawn games, or simply catch up on the latest news. Today the Commissary is packed full of period artifacts and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes exploring...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schenck's Office
This small building began its life as a barn before it was converted into an office for Dr. Schenck by Judson Meece. The front room of the office was where Schenck's bookkeeper and secretary worked while the back room served as his personal office...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schenck's Office
This small building began its life as a barn before it was converted into an office for Dr. Schenck by Judson Meece. The front room of the office was where Schenck's bookkeeper and secretary worked while the back room served as his personal office...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge
This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge
Dining Room -- This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany.
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge
Main Floor -- This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany.
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Blacksmith Shop
There were few people more important in rural America at this time than the local blacksmith. So it was very important that the Forestry School had a shop of its own for tooling and shoeing horses. Two blacksmiths from nearby Brevard were hired to travel and work here when needed...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Blacksmith Shop
There were few people more important in rural America at this time than the local blacksmith. So it was very important that the Forestry School had a shop of its own for tooling and shoeing horses. Two blacksmiths from nearby Brevard were hired to travel and work here when needed...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Students Quarters ('Hell Hole')
You'd think with a name like "Hell Hole" this wasn't all that pleasant a place to call home. In reality the moniker was simply a colorful nickname given by students...a common practice of all pupils who were simply told by Dr. Schenck, upon their arrival, to go out on their own and find a (usually abandoned) cabin to stay in. Many such cabins sported names just as colorful...
Biltmore Campus Trail -- Students Quarters ('Hell Hole')
You'd think with a name like "Hell Hole" this wasn't all that pleasant a place to call home. In reality the moniker was simply a colorful nickname given by students...a common practice of all pupils who were simply told by Dr. Schenck, upon their arrival, to go out on their own and find a (usually abandoned) cabin to stay in. Many such cabins sported names just as colorful...