The County's First Resort

 

The Herold family was a foundational and dominant force in the socio-economic evolution of Dougharts Creek, shaping the region from its pioneer settlement days through its 20th-century resort era. Their influence can be categorized into several key areas:

Land Acquisition and Economic Dominance The family's presence began around 1825 when Christopher Herold, a settler of "pure German parentage," migrated to Dougharts Creek from Highland County, Virginia. Despite being unable to read English, his "business sagacity" enabled him and his sons to acquire thousands of acres—purchasing large tracts from prominent figures like Colonel John Baxter. This immense landed estate made the Herolds the dominant economic force along the creek. Other family members, such as Benjamin Herold, also owned significant tracts of land that extended to the public road at nearby Minnehaha Springs.

Industrial Milling Operations The Herolds were instrumental in the early industrialization of the creek. Christopher Herold maintained substantial milling operations on his estate, utilizing the water power of Dougharts Creek to run both grist mills and "up-and-down" sawmills. This infrastructure was essential for processing the community's grain and lumber, facilitating the transition from log cabins to frame houses.

Community Resilience and Hardship The Herold family's history is deeply woven into the local lore of Appalachian survival. During one particularly severe winter, Andrew Herold was isolated by deep snow while driving cattle to the mountains to keep them from starving. During this same storm, his brother Peter died at home; the weather was so harsh that neighbors had to shout the news of Peter's death from a distant high point because travel was impossible. Later, during the Civil War, the family suffered further hardships, seeing their livestock and grain supplies seized by passing armies traversing the contested borderland.

Pioneering the Resort Era As the region's timber resources depleted in the early 20th century, the Herold family helped pivot Dougharts Creek toward a new economic model based on recreation. In 1915, Winston Herold—a descendant of Christopher—completed the construction of the Allegheny Club (also known as the Allegheny Lodge) at a cost of $20,000. Overlooking the confluence of Douthards and Knapps Creek valleys, this lodge became a prominent high-society resort that hosted midnight dances, protected wild deer, and even featured a herd of imported Yellowstone elk.

Through their massive landholdings, essential milling operations, and eventual investments in the hospitality industry, the Herold family effectively guided Dougharts Creek through a century of Appalachian transformation.