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Cashiers Historical Society’s Village Heritage Award
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: 2021/01 – Winter
The fresh new Hotel Cashiers’ commitment to preserving the marvelous touches that’ve always beguiled its guests has earned it the coveted 2020 Village Heritage Award.
(L to R): Daniel Fletcher, Owner/Operator Hotel Cashiers; John Barrow, Cashiers Historical Society Village Heritage Award Chair
The Cashiers Historical Society recently announced that the Hotel Cashiers is the recipient of the 2020 Village Heritage Award.
Presented annually by the Historical Society, the Village Heritage Award recognizes buildings that have been adapted for use as an active business and contribute to the vitality of the community. Award-winning structures are those that best exemplify the village character of Cashiers.
In announcing the Hotel Cashiers as this year’s winner, Village Heritage Award committee chair John Barrow noted that “the hotel is an excellent example of the ways in which creative entrepreneurs can preserve the charm and unique character of older structures in Cashiers while simultaneously providing much needed facilities featuring up-to date comforts and conveniences. The renovation of the hotel celebrates the past while successfully meeting the present day needs of its guests.”
The Hotel Cashiers exists because of the vision and determination of co-owners Brett Stewart and Daniel Fletcher. With backgrounds in the hospitality industry, Stuart and Fletcher recognized the need for additional lodging in Cashiers. In 2019, they purchased a well-situated but sleepy, old motel on the hillside overlooking Slabtown Road.
Instead of demolishing or radically altering the building, the new owners decided to preserve the original structures and integrate them with up-to-date, modern amenities.
They installed all new mechanical systems, added high internet connections to each room, completely redid the interiors, and refreshed the exterior and grounds, while maintaining the building’s historic character.
Older guests have commented that the establishment is reminiscent of the old motor courts that became popular in Western North Carolina in the 1940 and 1950s as highways began to connect scenic mountain communities with large metropolitan areas.
Kathleen Rivers, who nominated Hotel Cashiers for this award says, “I can think of no property that better showcases the mission of the Village Heritage Award – to restore rather than tear down an older property by bringing it up to date as a contributing member of the Cashiers business community. Hotel Cashiers is the kind of success story that makes our village proud.”