Glen Choga Lodge

Glen Choga Lodge is a historic lodge in rural Macon County, North Carolina, within Nantahala National Forest. The property stands in a clearing on the south side of Little Choga Road, also identified as North Carolina Route 1402. It was constructed in 1934–35 during a period when the road was an important route connecting Franklin and Murphy, North Carolina. The lodge was built by Alexander Breheurs Steuart and his wife, Margaret Willis Hays, who operated it as a seasonal vacation destination. Architecturally, the building is a large, two-story, U-shaped log structure with a metal roof. Its construction is particularly notable because it uses saddle-notched, Adirondack-style log construction made from wormy chestnut logs. The structure is described as the only known surviving lodge of this specific type and material, giving it significance beyond its former hospitality use. The building reflects the development of automobile-accessible mountain tourism in western North Carolina during the early twentieth century, when roads made remote recreational areas more accessible to visitors. The lodge operated commercially as a summer retreat until 1941. Its hospitality business ended in the context of the United States' entry into World War II, and it did not reopen for commercial use after the war. Instead, the property was converted into a private summer residence. As a result, Glen Choga Lodge is best understood today as a historic property and architectural landmark rather than an active lodging brand. There is no reliable source material establishing a current commercial operation, product portfolio, corporate parent, public listing, or contemporary management organization associated with the name. The lodge's historical importance rests on the combination of its setting, construction method, surviving fabric, and connection to the region's early seasonal tourism. Its history is also linked to the broader heritage of Macon County and to listings of historic resources in the county. Because the available reference material focuses on the building and its past use rather than on a continuing business, commercial brand attributes such as current markets, offerings, campaigns, executives, and financial performance are not applicable or documented.

Glen Choga Lodge was built in 1934–35 in a clearing beside Little Choga Road in what is now Nantahala National Forest, in rural Macon County, North Carolina. At the time of its construction, Little Choga Road was a significant route between Franklin and Murphy. The road connection helped make a remote mountain setting accessible to travelers and supported the development of seasonal recreation and lodging in the region. The building was constructed by Alexander Breheurs Steuart and his wife, Margaret Willis Hays. It is a substantial U-shaped, two-story log structure covered by a metal roof. Its construction is distinctive for its use of saddle-notched Adirondack-style assembly and wormy chestnut logs. This combination is historically important because the lodge is identified as the only known surviving example of a saddle-notched Adirondack-style lodge made from wormy chestnut logs. Steuart and Hays operated the property as a summer vacation destination. The lodge's commercial period lasted until 1941, when operations ended around the time of the United States' entry into World War II. The property did not resume commercial lodging after the war. Instead, it was converted into a private summer residence, ending its role as an active hospitality business while preserving its association with the area's early tourism history. Today, Glen Choga Lodge is treated primarily as a historic building rather than as a functioning lodge brand. Its significance derives from its architectural form, materials, location, and connection to the development of mountain travel and vacationing in western North Carolina. The property is also relevant to the historic resources of Macon County and to the broader heritage context of Nantahala National Forest. Current ownership, public access, and any present-day commercial use are not established by the available reference material.

• 1941

  Commercial lodging period ends

  [1]Glen Choga Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  The lodge ceased operating as a summer vacation destination in the context of the United States' entry into World War II.

• 1935

  Lodge completed

  [1]Glen Choga Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  The large two-story, U-shaped log lodge was completed using saddle-notched Adirondack-style construction and wormy chestnut logs.

• 1934

  Construction begins

  [1]Glen Choga Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  Alexander Breheurs Steuart and Margaret Willis Hays began constructing the lodge near Little Choga Road in Macon County, North Carolina.

• Conversion to private residence

  [1]Glen Choga Lodgeen.wikipedia.org

  After the war, the property did not reopen commercially and was converted into a private summer residence.

A historic mountain lodge and architectural landmark associated with early seasonal tourism in western North Carolina, not a currently operating hospitality brand.

1. 1Glen Choga Lodgeen.wikipedia.org