HUNTING COUNTRY ASSOCIATION
WINTER – 2023
A 501-C3 Zoning Association for the Preservation of Historic Hunting Country
Welcome to the Hunting Country Association's 2023 Winter Newsletter. We hope this letter finds you happy, healthy and enjoying our beautiful area as we welcome the Winter period.
HCA Board News – Association's December 1st Meeting
The HCA Board had our regular meeting at Fence on December 1, 2022. We had several topics on our Agenda and elections for officers for the coming year were held.
Topics reviewed were:
The Gathering: The Gathering was held on October 9th at Fence and was attended by approximately 90+ residents. A presentation of historic homes in the Hunting Country was presented by Libbie Johnson, followed by food and drink and good conversation with residents.
Several changes will be made to the coming 2023 Fall Gathering that will improve the experience. Check in will be held just outside the building on the porch and should ease congestion. Our next event will be totally social without a presentation. Thanks to a number of you for your feedback to the Board as it has helped us deliver a better event. We also plan to move the event up earlier on the calendar so as not to be so close to Feta's picnic.
The HCA Board also reviewed: a camper / rental issue; Shooting complaints near HC Road; and the old Block House being up for sale. Discussion on all subjects only.
Steve Herbert had a short presentation on improving and building a potential horse gateway. A most interesting project and we will look at it for a future possibility.
The Legal Defense Fund for Hunting Country is now at $28,000 should we have future zoning issues and require legal representation.
Elections were held and Janet Peterson was elected Secretary, Ben Johnson, Treasurer, Chuck Rounds, Vice President, and Phil Burrus, President.
We again welcomed two new Board members: Ben Douglas and Steve Herbert. We are delighted to have them joining our Board. They both bring much to our group and for the protection of Hunting Country.
Our next HCA meeting will be February 2nd, at Fence, at 4:00 pm.
HCA Membership Renewal – It's that time of year!
IT's that time of year….time to renew your membership in the HC Association or Join Us. Please check your mailing label on this newsletter and if the date after your name is not 2023, we hope you will renew your membership or Join! Membership supports Hunting Country and keeps what you see and enjoy.
Membership is only $38.00 dollars thru January 31st and includes newsletters along with the Gathering.
Use the Form at the end of this Newsletter. Thanks for your support and being part of this vital organization!
HCA Website
Our Hunting Country Association website continues to inform. If you have news that you'd like to place on the News Tab, please let us know. Website is: huntingcountry.org. Also, if you would like to add a page of information or anything else, please let us know. Email huntingcountrya@aol.com
Historic Home Series in the Hunting Country
The Hunting Country has many historic homes and is itself a historic area. Beginning at our western entrance, the “Old Block House Barn” is a historic landmark. Hunting Country is also the home to four Carter Brown homes, the River House, Little Orchard and others….
In this Newsletter, we are featuring “the Gate House & T-Barn at the Cotton Patch on Hunting Country Road. Hope you enjoy the articles.
The Cotton Patch Gate House – from the National Register of Historical Places
The Cotton Patch is a rural estate in Polk County located in the Hunting Country on South River Road. The associated buildings on the property were designed by architect Russell S. Walcott in 1938 and built for James and Katrine Perkins as a summer estate and retirement home.
The property purchased was purchased in 1948 by Willis and Jacquelyn Kuhn of Indiana, who further developed the property as one of the premier equestrian estates in Polk County. When my family moved to Hunting Country, we knew the Kuhn's well. Both were involved in the Olympic equestrian program that was held on the property.
Gate House, built in 1941 – from The National Register of Historical Places
The one-story L-shaped dwelling is located near the entrance to the property and adjacent to the horse stables and barns. Resting on a brick foundation, the house has an asphalt-shingle gable roof, exposed rafter tails, waney edge siding, two exterior stone chimneys, and an exterior brick chimney. Windows are typically six-over-six double-hung sash or picture windows with a large central light flanked by four-over-four double-hung sash. An attached wood deck was added around 2005 and provides access to the two single-leaf entry doors located in the interior angle of the “L.” The door into the east wing is sheltered by an attached gable-roof hood supported on metal brackets. The interior contains two bedrooms, living and dining rooms, and an office. A gable-roof screened porch extends to the rear (south).
Originally built in the 1930s, the residence served as the home of Elbert Nanney, James Perkins' caretaker and farm manager. Nanney's house was destroyed by fire in May 1941, although Nanney and his family survived unharmed. The Nanney's lived in the main house during the summer while the Gate House was built.
Barn (“T Barn”), Built in 1945 – from The National Register of Historic Places
The main barn, known as the “T Barn” because of its shape, consists of two wings connected by an open breezeway located between the top and the stem of the “T.” The west wing, forming the top of the “T,” is a two-story gambrel-roof building with waney edge siding, a pyramidal-roof cupola, and six-over-six double-hung windows. It contains an office, kitchen, bathroom, and tack room, with two horse stalls located on the north side.
The east wing is a long gable-roof building containing four stalls and a work room at the east end. The overhanging roof on the south side is supported by wooden posts and shelters a brick walkway. The stalls, which extend the full depth of the wing, are accessed by Dutch doors. Robert Wallace, a later owner, converted three stalls to work rooms and a kitchen in the 1990s.
Hunting Country is no accident; it is the result of decades of commitment to preservation and smart planning. We invite you to join your Hunting Country Neighbors as a Member of Hunting Country!
The HCA is at the ready should anything arise to cause zoning problems and issues with our beautiful area. For $38 dollars a calendar year, an association like the Hunting Country's Association is priceless.
To join the Hunting Country! Association, just complete and mail along with your check to: Hunting Country! Association, P. O. Box 896, Tryon, NC 2878
Yes, I want to join and/or renew my membership in the Hunting Country Association! My Check is enclosed for $38.00. The HCA is a 501C-3 association with a volunteer Board made up of HC residents. Mail your check to Hunting Country, P.O. Box 896, Tryon, NC 28782
Name__________________________________________Phone #________________
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$38.00 Dues ___________ Legal Defense Fund _________________
Renewal ______________ New Membership _______