Highlands Historical Society

The arrival of cold weather on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau brought its own suite of joyful sensations.

As we think about the lush evergreen Christmas trees that are grown on our mountains, consider what almost happened to many of them years ago.

Highlands graduated from a tiny settlement to a town in the early 1880s.  From 1881-83 the midwest and northeast contributed many of Highlands’ first families, among them: Illinois’s H.M. Bascom […]

Just for the fun of it, write down five predictions you have for the Plateau for 2070 and tuck it away. Perhaps you see Highlands and Cashiers merging. Do you […]

When a younger version of me got stressed about money, my Bohemian friend, Vici, would say, “Quit worrying. It’s just green paper with pictures of dead presidents on it.”  Call […]

Breakthroughs in tuberculosis treatment in the early 1900s sky-rocketed Highlands’ fame.  From 1908-1918 Mary Lapham with her compassionate, innovative medical remedies, got herself noticed in a big way. 2018 marks […]

In 1886 Highlands’ Fourth Street had a speed bump…a natural speed bump so high it was upending wagons that approached the Main Street intersection with too much horsepower.  Fourth and […]

Throughout Highlands history, residents have promoted and staunchly protected the community’s charm and laid-back mountain style.  When its look and character take an eyebrow-raising turn, Highlanders have something to say […]

The Highlands Plateau, well known for its natural and manmade beauty, supports many artists and craftsmen, among them George Keener of Walnut Creek. His family tree is rooted in the […]