History of the Land that Silversteen Built On

In 1888, Thomas and Wait Gash sold 21.3 acres from the estate of their parents, Leander Sams and Margaret Avery Gash, to Mrs. Reba W. Boardman for $1500.  The property was located east of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church which had been constructed a few years earlier.  It extended to present day Wilson Dr. on the south, bordered the road from Brevard to Wilson’s Bridge on the east and present day Maple St. to the west.

The Boardman House.

Mr. Boardman was a prominent engineer from Macon, Georgia.  The Boardmans built a large home that was considered the most attractive home in Brevard.  In 1897, the granite gateposts at the entrance were erected by stonecutter, Charles Kilpatrick.  The Boardmans spent considerable time abroad, wintering in Europe and later living there permanently. 

In 1912 they sold the property.  Newspaper accounts of the sale list R.G. and J.B. Stone as the purchasers of the property for $18,000.  However, the deed is to Fannie P. Stone, younger sister of Richard and Jefferson Stone, for $15,500. 

The Stone brothers planned to use the stately home as a men’s recreational club surrounded by an expansive lawn area for outdoor amusement, including tennis.  The Club House was to be equipped with pool tables, bowling alleys, shower baths and rooms for lounging, reading and smoking. 

A four-and-one-half acre lake would be stocked with game fish, have bathing piers, boat houses and boats.  A dance pavilion near the lake was to have a stage for theatricals, vaudeville shows and public speaking.

A September 6, 1912 article describing plans for the property stated, “Almost ten acres will be turned into a park, and walks and driveways will be built.  Benches will be placed at convenient places throughout the park and along the driveway around the lake, where the tired tourist may sit in the moonlight with his (or some other fellow’s) best girl and thoroughly enjoy the mountain scenery and the fresh breezes from the lake.”

The additional property was to be divided into lots for sale.  Property owners may have been granted Club privileges. 

Development on the property, including clearing the bed for the proposed lake and drives through the grounds was well underway by November 1912.  The intention was to be ready by the following year. 

The families of Richard and Jefferson Stone were both living in the Boardman House when it was totally destroyed by fire on February 21, 1913.  This disaster appears to have ended the Stone’s plans for the Boardman Heights Club.

The entire property plus several additional tracts were sold to Joseph Silversteen in October 1913 for $10 and “other good and valuable considerations.”  The Sylvan Valley News reported that Silversteen bought “about thirty acres of the best land to be found in the town. The purchase price was about $15,000.  The new owner has not announced what disposition he will make of the property, but doubtless it will be improved in a short time.”  Silversteen soon constructed his family’s new home, Silvermont, on the property. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.