State

U « * lVB>‘ - • 4 « ** • " 7^ i Uxolcd unde» »he heights of Beech Mountain, Klontcsho Inn »ov о 30-bed Vidonon hotel which served oi a tourist retreot ond sociol center (tom 1895 to 1928 The only survivor ol the inn in Bonner Elk is о street (below) booting her nome (All photos ore courtesy o( Frederick Jennings, ot Banner Elk Copies by George A Timblm) Klonteska Was For The Young At Heart The Jennings entertained tourists in the summer and villagers in llie u inter — and loved the life they led. fft< CAROL LOW К TIM В LIN The name Klonteska inn evokes golden memories to those who knew her in hei prime. Like her sister, the Bannci Elk I lotcl. she was a retreat for tourists and it recreation center for i he local citizens of Banner Elk, North Carolina, from 1895 to 1928. Resting on a promontory above the village and under the lofty pinnacles of Beech Mountain, Klonteska Inn of¬ fered cloudtop exhilaration to her pa¬ trons. From her verandas, one could view w hat seemed to he the top of the world: ancient and craggy Grandfather to the south, rugged Hanging Rock to the east, gentle Sugar to the southwest, and the blue and purple grandeur of the R«un to the far west. She borrowed her beautiful name from the Chcrokecs who had given Beech Mountain the name of Klonteska (pheasant) many centuries before. Klonteska Inn was built by Dr. Robert Douglas Jennings, a Ruther¬ ford College dentist, and his wife Mar¬ garet. According to the only surviving 20 member of the family. Mrs. Mary Sue Helms of Morganton. her parents de¬ cided to build the inn in Banner Elk because the mountain climate was more agreeable with Dr. Jennings, who suffered ill health at that time. "He and Mother borrowed enough money from Colonel (ieorge M. Derby of New Or¬ leans to build and furnish the inn." Mrs. Helms relates. "Si* successful was the inn that they were able to pay off the loan in just two years." Daughter Remembers The two-story I. -shaped structure had JO bedrooms, including a few suites, verandas upstairs and down¬ stairs. a huge living room, dining room, and kitchen, and a smaller family room and kitchen which the family used during the winter. \ large wooden water tank furnished water, and sev¬ eral fireplaces provided heal. I'he inn could easily accommodate 50 or 60 guests. Victorian in motif, the inn was decorated with wallpaper, convex mir¬ rors. wall lamps, and furnished with golden oak beds, washsiands. and dressers. Seven round tables with a seating capacity of ten people each and stoneware dishes set off the dining room. Mammoth si/e oil paintings done by Mr. Williams, an itinerant ar¬ tist from New York, hung in the living room. "Mother and Dad shared the duties of running the inn." Mrs. Helms re¬ members. "Mother liked to cook and serve the meals, and Dad enjoyed working at the front desk." The Jennings employed a summer staff of additional cooks and maids from Hickory. Their four children Bess. Preston. Ed. and Mary Sue often helped their parents. “I remember spring cleaning . . . washing windows, curtains, and linens." Mrs. Helms re¬ calls. "When I was older. I waited on tables in the dining room." Culinary Delights Mrs. Jennings, who hud an excellent reputation as a cook, often served steak or her ow n sugar cured hams for breakfast. It was not uncommon to have filetcd trout, baked chicken with dressing, roast beef, homegrow n veg¬ etables and fruits from the farm, salads, homemade bread and rolls, jel¬ lies. relishes, and an array of pies and cakes for one meal. Food was served family style for the most part. The Jen¬ nings bought caseloads of canned goods in Johnson City each spring to supplement their pantry. "Mother had broken her leg two days before her first child was bom. and she had to learn to walk again." Mrs. Helms relates. "She couldn't c\- THE STATE, FlBRUARV mo