r„oto by Elliot Lyman Ftiher
EARLY in the summer of 1847
Alexander Robertson of
Charleston, South Carolina,
was visiting his friend, Daniel
Blake, at his summer home some
ten miles south of the little village
of Asheville, North Carolina. One
day as they were going on horse¬
back into Asheville, they noticed
a large gathering of people outside
a mountain home. Mr. Robertson
determined to ascertain the cause
of the meeting.
Dismounting, he gave his horse
to the care of a servant and, upon
making inquiries, was told that
the sheriff had come to evict one
Thomas Murray, for non-payment
of taxes. Mr. Robertson then went
into the house where he found the
owner, ill in bed. Beside him
were his wife and several small
children in tears.
Mr. Robertson paid the tax and
bought the property. He was so
charmed with the slope of the
hill down to a gleaming mountain
stream, that he decided to build
there a summer home where he
could entertain his friends and re¬
lations. He named the place
“Struan.” after the fortress of his
“Clan Robertson," in the Highlands
of Perthshire, Scotland.
“Struan" means winding stream.
Greek Revival Type
The house conforms to the Greek
Revival type, a style that is seen
from the mountains to the sea. It
was built by a prominent Asheville
architect. Ephraim Clayton, who
left a legacy of work well done in
many of the homes and public
Struan
Located near Asheville,
this old house contains
many architectural fea¬
tures which are most dis¬
tinctive. It also has had
an interesting history.
By IIAItllY
/,.
TUCK Lit
buildings in western North Caro¬
lina. Facing due east, it overlooks
the valley down which the spar¬
kling stream flows between high,
wooded hills.
The high white columns which
enclose the stone-paved entrance
can be seen from far away. Broad
wings give a sense of spaciousness.
The wide verandas open through
French doors out to the lawn and
flower garden. Pink roses and
honeysuckle climb over them, and
there is a thick border of ivy at
the edges. The corner stone of
Struan has carved on it: “A. R.
1847."
From the stone court, large
stone steps lead up to the front
door, which is embellished with a
handsome silver knocker. Its re¬
sounding rap has for a century al¬
ways been answered with a gra¬
cious welcome.
Through the inviting portal, al¬
ways a coign of vantage in old
homes of the South, one is ush¬
ered into a large square hall which
fills more than half of the first
floor. Here was the gathering
place for friends and neighbors,
the focal point for guests entering
and leaving Struan. Generations
of gay dancers have laughed and
played there. Many days and
nights were made merry to the
music of the “Struan Rant."
Former Picture Gallery
The large English hall was real¬
ly the picture gallery, for here
family portraits, painted by well-
known artists, hung on the walls.
Among them was a beautiful por¬
trait of Susannah Robertson at the
age of seven, painted about 1850.
There were four Morlands. an orig¬
inal portrait of Marie Antoinette,
by Wertmuller, and many other
beautiful works of art.
In the hall, under the beautiful
glass chandelier with its rainbow
prisms, many happy brides of
Struan have stood. Also the dead
have lain in their last sleep. Here
friends and relations sought refuge
during the trying years of the Civil
War. Some came to stay only a
few weeks, but circumstances
forced them to remain for months.
Often it was necessary for refugees
to sleep on the floor, so numerous¬
ly did they come.
The original wallpaper, still in
place, was brought from France
when the house was built. The
design is of garlands of pink roses
tied with blue ribbons on a grey
background. The colors are fresh
and bright. Mr. Robertson loved
THE STATE. JULY to. 1947
