According to this article in the Charlotte Observer, Chimney Rock Park will be the "centerpiece" of one of North Carolina's state parks.
"The state will pay about $24 million for 996 acres so unique, with sheer cliffs and 400-foot waterfall, that Sotheby's put a $55 million price tag on it," said the article.
"The private park overlooking Lake Lure will become the keystone amid 2,800 nearby acres, which arc around Hickory Nut Gorge, that the state owns or may acquire. Hickory Nut Gorge State Park will open in 2008.
"State officials envision a public park that's little different from the trails, nature center and elevator to the Chimney top that draw 250,000 tourists a year. Lucius Morse bought the first 64 acres of the private park, 90 miles west of Charlotte, in 1902.
"The announcement relieved local residents. The wind-whipped view from the rock now includes vacation homes on surrounding peaks and a new road being carved into the mountain just across the gorge.
"'I go out every morning, I open my deck doors and I see Chimney Rock every day,' said Margie Burns, a gift shop owner who had worried that development would engulf the park. 'I definitely would not like to see a lot of houses.' ..."
Neither do we, Margie.
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