Intriguing History of Overlook and the Sapphire Valley area
With all of the beautiful communities and amenities in the area, how did Overlook escape the larger, denser developments of Sapphire Valley and “Little Switzerland” that you find today? Given that the Edison, Vanderbilt, Ford families and others spent countless hours and untold monies to come to the area in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s, only history can explain.
How did certain local families, some of whom are still around the area such as the Morrows, escape being bought out by rich industrialists or investors, so that the property now known as Overlook at Sapphire has been preserved today? A member of the Morrow family still owns a parcel adjacent to the Overlook community. In fact, Mr. Roy Morrow (a noted engineer in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s) built a Stickley-style home on the “Old Homestead Overlook” lot, which was burned down in the early 1930’s, but more on that later in the time frames noted below.
So, if is an owner at Overlook, they are a member of a very small group. This group not only enjoys spectacular long-range views and beautiful lots, it is the beneficiary of its history and is a protector of the honor of those who owned and loved the land before it became Overlook.
SO LET’S EXPLORE THE INTRIGUING HISTORY OF THIS BEAUTIFUL LOCATION AND LAND IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS: