Our History
An archived photo from the property's earlier days as the Mt. Mitchell Motel.
The motor lodge welcomed travelers drawn to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount Mitchell.
A Mountain Legacy Since 1948
In 1948, as America emerged from the Second World War, a wave of optimism swept across the country. Families took to the open road in record numbers, and the mountains of western North Carolina became one of their favorite destinations. It was in this spirit that our building was constructed — a handsome, single-story motor lodge built from locally quarried stone on a gently terraced site along West Main Street in Burnsville.
The timing was no coincidence. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which had broken ground in 1935, was opening major new sections throughout the 1940s and into the 1960s. Tourists poured into the region to experience the breathtaking mountain scenery, and Burnsville — nestled at the foot of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi — was perfectly positioned to welcome them. By mid-century, tourism in North Carolina had grown into a hundred-million-dollar annual industry, and roadside motor lodges were springing up all along the mountain highways.
What set our building apart was its construction. Rather than the wood-frame or cinder-block designs typical of the motor lodge boom, this inn was built with native stone in the Appalachian tradition — a craft that ties it to the same heritage as the region's historic churches, bridges, and homesteads. At approximately 8,468 square feet, the building was laid out in the classic mid-century format: fifteen rooms with drive-up access, arranged so that every guest could park right at their door. Early references identify the property as the "Mt. Mitchell Motel," a name that speaks to the mountain's enduring draw.
The Mt. Mitchell Motel held its grand opening on July 16, 1950, as reported in the local Yancey Record newspaper.
Through the Years
The Beginning
Construction begins during the great postwar tourism boom in western North Carolina. Built from local stone with fifteen rooms and drive-up access, the Mt. Mitchell Motel holds its grand opening on July 16, 1950, welcoming a new generation of travelers exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway and the peaks surrounding Mount Mitchell.
The Pollard Era
By 1958, Mr. and Mrs. L.V. Pollard are the owners and operators of the Mt. Mitchell Motel. A Triple AAA listing from this period describes it as "a modern fireproof motor court with tile baths and central heat," located on U.S. 19 E, three blocks from the business district and near Mount Mitchell and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Decades of Hospitality
The motor lodge continues to serve visitors drawn to Burnsville and the surrounding mountains. Guests come for the Parkway, for the craft fairs, for the fall color — and they find a solid stone building and a warm place to rest. The building itself tells the story: its walls have sheltered travelers through decades of mountain seasons.
A New Chapter
Trevor and Maureen Makings purchase the property and establish it as the Carolina Country Inn. Having immigrated from Zimbabwe, Trevor had come to the area for technology work and the couple quickly fell in love with Burnsville's friendly community and stunning scenery. They pour their energy into extensive renovations, restoring the 1948 building while carefully modernizing it for a new era of guests.
The Next Generation
Stacey Makings Heaton and her husband Ryne take over the inn, continuing the family tradition. Having grown up at the motel, Stacey brings both deep personal connection and fresh vision to the business. Under their care, the Carolina Country Inn maintains its reputation as one of western North Carolina's most beloved places to stay — earning a 4.8-star rating across more than 418 reviews and a consistent "A" sanitation grade.
Part of Burnsville's Story
The Carolina Country Inn is more than a place to sleep — it is woven into the fabric of a town with deep roots. Burnsville was founded in 1834 and named after Captain Otway Burns, a War of 1812 naval hero whose statue still stands on the town square. That square, where four "Main Streets" converge, remains the heart of the community today.
Hospitality has always been part of Burnsville's character. The NuWray Hotel, just up the road on the town square, has welcomed guests since 1833 — a tradition that our inn proudly carries forward. The surrounding area is rich with creative spirit: the Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair has been running since 1956, artist studios dot the hillsides, and more than 200 painted quilt blocks decorate barns and houses throughout the county.
Sitting on West Main Street, just a short walk from the square, the Carolina Country Inn connects our guests to all of it — the mountains, the culture, the warmth of a small Appalachian town that has been welcoming visitors for nearly two centuries.
"The cleanest, roomiest, most charming old style motel" — "Best roadside motel in western NC"
We are proud to carry this story forward, one guest at a time. To learn more about the family behind the inn, visit our Our Family page.