Lincolnton, NC 28092(Lincoln County)

Step back in time while viewing the grounds of this historic property. Nestled gently on 10 acres of lush lawn, the southern charm of the Boyd home majestically overlooks the grounds where the historic Lithia Inn once stood. A huge covered porch welcomes you to this country estate boasting over 5800 sq. ft., 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, large formal dining room, formal den, exposed wormy chestnut beams warms up the modern kitchen, the family room has many enclosed glass book shelves to showcase your large book collection so you can enjoy family time or quiet reading. As you stroll upstairs you will appreciate the wide stairs with landing just before reaching the second story that features more bedrooms and pool room. However, the bonus of the second story is the quiet corner doorway that leads to the finished attic area with wood floors that hosted the senior’s socials of years ago as they played their stringed instruments and enjoyed the fresh air flowing through the open windows. This area has been used by many family members as a place to skate, play cowboys and indians, birthday parties and so much more as the family grew. The large screened sun porch connects the main house to the former servant’s quarters over the garage that is now used for an office. This formal room/office over the garage has two rooms and toiletries. A spacious basement offer lots of storage. Now that you have an idea of the estate home, the following is a history of the historic Lithia Inn. The annals of Lincoln County are full of prominent families who helped establish economic, political, and religious institutions, and also contributed to the development of cultural attractions that include Lithia Springs and the Lithia Inn, located in central Lincolnton. The Lithia Springs met the needs of a burgeoning business class during the New South period that sought to “avail themselves of the water” to avoid sickness and spend an enjoyable summer in one of the Carolina’s most popular health resorts. Henry W. Burton developed the Lithia Spring in Lincolnton during the 1870’s, and shipped kegs of water as large as ten gallons to businesses that include Phifer and Cannon in Concord, North Carolina, and J.F. Daily in Cross Plains, Alabama. General Robert F. Hoke, president of the Lincoln Lithia Water Company, purchased the mineral springs in 1887 from Henry W. Burton. Under Hoke’s proprietorship, the company bottled and distributed the water across the nation because it was reputed for its ability to cure kidney problems. Sometime before 1891 General Hoke built the Lithia Inn near the spring. On January 8, 1907, the Lincoln County News reported that the Lincoln Lithia Inn was to “open its doors to the public around June 1, 1907 and cater to summer visitors from all parts of the South.” At this time the Government Medical Authorities named the Lincoln Lithia Inn as the second healthiest point in the United States, and patrons were able to enjoy riding, driving, walking, tennis, golf, and dancing at the Inn’s resort facilities. Early in 1908 three landscape architects from the Biltmore Nursery of Biltmore, North Carolina arrived in Lincolnton to begin laying off lots for a proposed Lincoln Lithia Club development. The Lincoln Lithia Inn was to be the centerpiece of this proposed development, and General Hoke built a one-story frame cottage, a contiguous property to the Boyd residence, as the first and only house in this development. In the Lincoln Lithia Club development, fifteen streets, winding to the turn of the terrain, were to embrace numerous parks and dozens of lots organized into two major groups, one to the north of the inn and one to its south. For unknown reasons, the development never came to fruition. General Hoke died four years later, and the Lincoln Lithia Inn became the property of Daniel E. Rhyne, a local New South industrialist, and, later, James A. Abernethy, Rhyne’s nephew. During the ownership of Rhyne and Abernethy, the Lincoln Lithia Inn was remodeled to include new bedrooms with baths, a new dining room, screened porches, and a nine-hole golf course. The Inn held horse shows, and hosted picnics, dances, and special parties for various local organizations. The Inn’s most monumental event took place on January 30, 1936, when James A. Abernethy held a Roosevelt Ball with Jimmy Gunn and his Dixie Serenades. The Lincoln Lithia Inn was demolished in 1940, under the proprietorship of James A. Abernethy, and Abernethy donated a portion of the property for the building of the Shipp-Lockman Veterans of Foreign Wars building, which became the VFW property in 1947.