20201004 Ver 1_13-NC SHPO Review Request_20200804

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - CONSERVATION PLANNING – LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
P.O. Box 8013 - Asheville, NC 28804 – PH. 828-243-6604
www.fuscola.com
1
August 4, 2020

Renee Gledhill-Earley
State Historic Preservation Office
4617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4617
ph: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
submittal email: [e-mail]

RE: Sapphire Farm

Dear Ms. Gledhill-Earley,

Please find attached our review request for the Sapphire Farm near Sapphire, NC.
We are submitting Nationwide Permits for wildlife habitat and lake improvements to the US
Army Corps of Engineers and can provide you a copy of that permit application if necessary.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you,

/s/ Matthew J Fusco 8/4/2020

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - CONSERVATION PLANNING – LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
P.O. Box 8013 - Asheville, NC 28804 – PH. 828-243-6604
www.fuscola.com
2
Project Name
Sapphire Farm Lake Improvements
Project Location
4730 Upper Whitewater Road Sapphire, NC 28774
Transylvania County

Project Contact Information
Shannon P Slusher
3 Stansbury Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
ph: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

Authorized Agent:
Matthew J. Fusco
Fusco Land Planning & Design, PLLC
P.O. Box 8013
Asheville, NC 28814
ph: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - CONSERVATION PLANNING – LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
P.O. Box 8013 - Asheville, NC 28804 – PH. 828-243-6604
www.fuscola.com
3
Project Description

The property is located southwest of Lake Toxaway at 4730 Upper Whitewater Road Sapphire,
NC 28774 and is on the left after you cross the bridge over the Thompson River coming from
the south on Upper Whitewater Road.

The purpose of this project is to repair existing stream crossings along tributaries on the
property, to enhance the lake edge of Lake Pickens & associated tributaries including the
Thompson River, and to provide an alternate access to an existing cabin site which will be
improved. The proposed enhancements will not only allow the owner better access to different
areas of the property but, more importantly, it will offer an opportunity for habitat
improvement on a variety of levels within the watershed. Lake Pickens itself is a waterbody
created by damming up an unnamed tributary to the Thompson River. Based on our records,
we understand the lake has been in place with its current dam since before 1971. The 450 Ac
property was operated as Camp Buc, a Presbyterian Camp, until sometime around 2015 and
was left unoccupied until Shannon Slusher & his family purchased the property in early 2019.
Future plans include construction of a new barn and maintenance area, the construction of a
new main house and supporting accessory structures. Areas surrounding the new structures will
be graded to smooth out the contours and create a better connection between facilities. The
total disturbance, including the lake area improvements, will be approximately 19.50 Ac.

As stated above, the Sapphire Farm occupies the former Camp Buc site which had an old cabin
that was surveyed by NCSHPO in 1991. The cabin, known as Dan Houck House , has a survey
ID #TV0120 (see Survey Attached). Outside of this structure, there are no known structures on
the National Register of Historic Sites for this property or any additional structures older than
50 years. The cabin has been has unoccupied since the camp closed around 2015 and has
fallen into disrepair. Prior to this effort, the cabin was removed and any salvageable material
has been retained.

Equipment to be used will be traditional construction equipment, including bulldozers, track
hoes and excavators for the sitework and traditional construction equipment for erecting the
structure.

See below for maps and site photos.
The National Map Advanced Viewer
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
1/16/2020, 4:06:54 PM 0 0.25 0.50.13 mi
0 0.4 0.80.2 km
1:18,056
USGS
USGS The National Map: Orthoimagery | Garrity, C.P., Soller, D.R. | USGS National Map 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) | USGS TNM - 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). Data refreshed weekly. | USGS The National Map: 3D Elevation Program. Data Refreshed January,
Matthew Fusco <[e-mail]>
TV0120
McDonald, Annie <[e-mail]>Thu, Jan 16, 2020 at 3:59 PM
To: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Matt,

It was good to talk with you this afternoon about the Dan Houck Cabin (TV0120), for which you will be preparing an
Environmental Review submittal. Attached are the limited contents of the architectural survey file for the property (the
photos are dated February 1991). It does not appear to ever have been evaluated for National Register eligibility, though
a few factors suggest to me that it is unlikely to be considered National Register-eligible.

First, the property was only surveyed in 1991 by Deborah Thompson during her comprehensive survey of
Transylvania County. That survey resulted in a slate of Study List candidates identified as potentially eligible for
listing in the National Register. That the Dan Houck Cabin was not included in that group of properties suggests to
me that, in the early 1990s, our staff did not believe that it would be a good candidate for the National Register
and, thus, the Study List.
When the building was surveyed, it was the only resource on the property that was documented. One of the
photos depicts a metal trailer in the background in close proximity to the cabin. In the mid-twentieth century, the
house was part of a Presbyterian church camp. That the Dan Houck Cabin was the only building surveyed on the
property, when historic camps (including those associated with religious denominations) were an important part of
Transylvania County’s history and a significant component of the 1991 survey, suggests that the consultant did not
believe that the camp, generally, was worthy of note (and far less worthy of National Register evaluation).
Based on your verbal report of the building’s condition, it sounds as though the log structure has deteriorated since
the 1991 survey. While condition is not a primary factor in assessing a property’s National Register eligibility, when
considered in conjunction with the two additional points above, it compounds the likelihood that the resource is not
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the information above, or if you need any additional information
about historic resources in Transylvania County for this project.

Regards,
Annie.

Annie Laurie McDonald
Preservation Specialist, State Historic Preservation Office

Western Office
Division of Historical Resources, Office of Archives & History
176 Riceville Road
Dan Houck Cabin
E side SR 1152, 1.8 mi N
of jct w/ SR 1151
Bohaynee/Whitewater vic.
Built circa 1900.
This typical half dovetail -notched log house is located in a
sparsely populated section of the county. It was probably saved
from decay by the establishment of a Presbyterian Church Camp
here on the property and its subsequent use as a camp building.
Two board -and -batten additions, a rear gable ell and front gable
ell, increase the floor space considerably without overwhelming
the original single -pen structure. The house is set on locust
posts, and its wide fieldstone chimney has unusual tapered
shoulders. The front shed porch has exposed rafters; its
unpeeled log supports still have some branches attached.
Although the mud chinking is still visible, portland cement has
also been added between the logs. Unfinished slab siding covers
the gable ends.
Dan Houck was the original owner and builder.

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NORTH CAROLINA HISTORIC STRUCTURES SHORT DATA SHEET
READ and USE the instruction manual to complete this form. FIII it out as completely and consistently as possible. PLEASE NOTE: not all variables are provided for
each question and reference to the Instruction manual will be necessary. In all cases:
0 or 00 denotes an undetermined or not applicable response
9 or 99 denotes a variable other than those provided.
SURVEY SITE NUMBER I V 1 O7 tJ (Consult S & P Branch)
1. SITE NAME: I 'IA"IA%I 191 of Ul c1 & 1 I I I `101 I� I� �1
3. ABBREVIATED LOCATION DESCRIPTION OR STREET ADDRESS:
4.
5.
7.
NEAREST TOWN/COMMUNITY:
COUNTY: I-M r;;;1���......,,,� 6. DATE RECORDED IN FIELD: MONTH
FIELD RECORDER: ! !Y ��'�% �� �� .—__-
YEAR
10.
OWNER NAME: I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I
I I I I I
I 1
I
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11.
OWNER ADDRESS:
TELE:
I511116'll I 1! 1 r.1 161(1 IJI` III J I
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
I I 1 11 1
1
13.
USE: Original Primary L¢L/ l�J_IJ Other:
Present Primary I Other:
Resid: Farm Resid: Non -Farm ( Farm Bldg: Inde{i of Resid School
Office Bank
Gen'I Retail Store Industrial
Courthse
0101 0102 0201 0301
0401 0402
0501 0601-0614
0901
Post Office Church ClubhselLodge Museum Cemetery Site Aban: Unocc Mobile Home
Adjac FHA Home Adjac Other
Occ SUL Adjac
0902 1001 1501 1701 1802 2001
2002
2003.
2004
15.
CONDITION: LL� Excellent Good Fair Deteriorated
Ruin
Unexposed
1 2 3 4
5
6
18.
THREATS TO STRUCTURE: W Other:
None/Prop Stable Abusive Alterations NeglectlDeteriorationlVandalism Road Construction Impoundments Private Dev't Urban Dev't
Gov't Activity
1 2 3
4 5
6 7
8
ARCHITECTURAL
DATA
21.
STYLE DEVELOPMENT: Exterior Interior HlghlAcademic
National/Popular
Regional/Vernac
Vig Vernacular
T 1
1
2
3
4
23. GENERAL STYLE GROUPS: Exterior: First Oil Second IJJ
Third
Interior: First Second I
II��
Third ly
Goo GeolFed Fed Fed/Gk Rev Gk Rev
Itallanate Goth Rev
19.20c Trad/Vern Q Anne
01 02 03 04 05
06 07
09 11
Neo-Class Rev Col Rev Mae Viet Std Commercial/Industrial
Beaux-Arts Tudor Rev Bungalow
Art Deco Coastal Plain Cottage
12 13 15 16
21 22 25
26 33
24. PLAN (Primary Domestic Buildings): Other:
One Rm Hall & Parlor Other 2 Rm "Quaker" 3 Rm
Side Hall Cntr Hall Cntr Hall/Quaker Var Irregular T-Hall
01 02 03 04
06 07 08
14 15
(
25. PLAN (Non -Domestic Buildings): L`CI Typical Notable
TTT 1 2
26, HEIGHT: W Other:
1 Story 1 Story/Habitable Attic 1+h Story 2 Story 2 Story/Habitable Attic 2V2 Story 3 Story
3 Story/Habitable Attic 3+h Story
1 A 2 3
B 4 5
C 6
4 or more, Not a Skyscraper Skyscraper
7 8
27. FACADE WIDTH (Main Block): L3 1 Bay 2 Bay
3 Bay 4 Bay
5 Bay 6 or More Bay
1 2
3 4
5 6
1I/I I'
L_I 28. DEPTH: L.1 Room/Single Pile 2 RoomlDouble Pile
3 or More Rooms
2
3
29. WINGS AND ADDITIONS: Primary L;4 Secondary Other:
Rear Shed Rear Ell Sides Front Addlt Stories
Orig Strt Incbrp Into New Rear Other
Front Ell Front Shed
1 2 3 4 5
6 7
8 A
8189

30. CONSTRUCTION: Primary Lt4i Secondary IJ IKI Other
Mortise &Tenon Platform FramelCu Nails
Load -Searing Masonry Steel Frame
Reinforced Concrete
03 05
07 08
11
Frame Cnst, Type Unknown Masonry Walls, Type Cnst Unknown
Log
12 13
14.21
31. ROOF CONFIGURATION: Primary Lhw Secondary `on Other:
Gable Sides Gable Front Ped Gable Triple A "X" Gable
Parapet Gable High Hip Low Hip
Flat Front Ell
01 02 03 04 05
07 - 09 10
19 30
IF THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS ARE PRESENT, CODE AS SECONDARY:
Belfry Steeple Cupola/Lantern Belvedere
Clock Tower Widow's Walk
TowerlTurret
23 24 25 26
27 28
29
1
33. EXTERIOR WALL MATERIALS (Original): Primary L" Secondary I.l IS]
Other:
Plain W'bd Molded/beaded W'bd Brick/Common Bond Brick/Flemish Bond
Brick Veneer Stuccoed Board & Batten
Brick/Stretcher Bond
01 02 06 07
10 13-16 33
35
34, EXTERIOR WALL MATERIALS (Replacement): I �I Other:
Aluminum Asphalt Asbestos Vinyl Brick Veneer W'bd Get Siding Similar/in Kind Material
Stone Veneer
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
A
35. PRINCIPAL PORCH INTEGRITY: ui OTHER
Original Altered Not Original
Reconstruction
RemovedlFallen
1 2 3
5
6
',
36. PORCH TYPE: (y Other:
Engaged Attached Recessed Stoop
1 2 3 4
40. PORCH DETAILS: A. L:I B. LJ C. LJ Other: 00 -
Chamfered Posts Turned Posts Sawn Work/Turned Ornament Classical
Flush She§§thing on Fa ad Enclosed End Bay(s) Porte Cochere
1 21 3 4
5 6
7
UJ �I
42. CHIMNEY INTEGRITY: A. B.I Other:
Original Partially Rebuilt
Replaced
Removed/Fallen
i 2
3
4
�
43. CHIMNEY PLACEMENT: A. I--l.t B. Ii I Other:
Interior Interior End Interior End/Exposed Face
Exterior End Exterior Front/Rear
Interior Rear
1 2 3
4 5
6
HISTORICAL DATA
51.
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION: Estimated: I�QI Actual:
I I I I I
I I I I I
Date: Pre-1780 1781.1800 1801.1825
1826.1865 1866.1885 1886.1915 1916-1930
1931-1945
Post 1945
1 2 3
4
5 6 7
8
9
55,
PERSONS OR EVENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE ASSOCIATED
WITH THE BUILDING:
(CODE LAST NAME FIRST)
A. Type: uJ Date: LJ NamelEvent:
B. Type: LJJ Date: LJ Name/Event: I I
I I I I I
I I I I I I I I I I I
I I I
Type: Trad Builder/Craftsman Architect Contractor Attributed Builder Orlg Owner Significant Later Owner
O1 02 - 03 04 05 06
Historically
07
Signif Person
Hist Signif Event Author of Pattern Book
Landscape Design
Developer Architect for Later Major
RemodlRenov/Over-Building
08 09
10
11 12
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
I
60.
SETTING: I I Rural, U�ndi�s�t� Rural, Bit uupp
Urban, Pop. Over 12,500
Small Town
61.
QUAD MAP USED: r r vi QUAD NAME rC
II
1�-L l
I V A I / �eI7
TVA
62.
UTM DATA: Zone: LEI Northing: �I I I I
1 I I Easting: I
1 I I I I I Zone: 16
17
18
1
2
3
63.
��1
DIRECTION BUILDING FACES: L� N S
E W NE
NW BE SW
1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
65.
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Sapphire Farm (Slusher) Site & Dan Houck House Photos

1) Overall view of lake area

2) View across lake toward Dan Houck House site. House sits on knoll behind the pines in the
middle of the photo

3) View from existing barn to Dan Houck House on right with carport improvement

4) Dan Houck House Exterior

5) Dan Houck House Interior