The Blakes built two houses in the Fletcher-Arden area. The first house was built in 1847 and located on Royal Pines Drive in Arden and known as “Hewington”. The other house known as the Don Blake House and located in Fletcher was built in 1878. It became known as MILLERHURST when purchased by Harry and Edna Miller in 1941.
The Blakes were from Charleston and like other wealthy low-landers, they enjoyed their second homes where they could take advantage of the cool summer breezes. The Arden Blake house serves today as an upscale Bed and Breakfast.
The Millers had four children, three boys and a girl. They lived in Asheville for a time after moving there from Florence, SC when Mr. Miller became the representative for U.S. Gypsum Company for Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Soon after moving to their new home, there was a national polio epidemic and the children were quarantined for several months.
The Millers sold the house to Dr.Hatchett, an Asheville dentist in 1970 and reserved five acres of the 35 acre tract and built a comfortable cottage for themselves.They later sold the cottage to the Fletcher Methodist Church for the minister’s home.
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Upper right shows Mrs. Miller on horseback. Lower left is Harry and Edna Miller.
Their four children are shown at Bottom Right.. They are (L t R) Diane, Harry, Jr.,
Rod and Gerry.
RECOGNITION -- Much of the information and photographs in this presentation were furnished by
Harry S. Miller, III, Matthew Miller, grandsons of Harry and Edna -- and from my files and memory of the
past. This one is very special to me. -- DC.
Dave, Great job with the pictures and history of the Blake houses and Millerhurst. I have many fond memories of family reunions there, as well as spending time during the summers with Mimi and Pop, exploring the outbuildings and the acreage.
ReplyDeleteHarry S Miller, III