FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                       

LEGENDARY NORTH CAROLINA PARK BEING REPRESENTED BY

CAPE FEAR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

 

 

 

Wilmington, N.C. (July 18, 2006) – Cape Fear Sotheby’s International Realty today announced that it is representing the sale of Chimney Rock Park, a 1,000 acre park located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, N.C. Offered at $55 million, Chimney Rock Park is believed to be the highest private property listing ever in the history of the state. The Park features the 535 million year old Chimney Rock that offers 75-mile views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a 404-foot waterfall, hiking trails, unique geological features and an incredible variety of wildlife and plant life. The Park’s scenic beauty has made it a backdrop for numerous movies, including the “Last of the Mohicans.”

 

“It is an honor that the Morse Family, who have been stewards of the property for more than 100 years, chose our firm to represent this important and historic Park and surrounding property,” said Mark Evans, owner of Cape Fear Sotheby’s International Realty. “Just like the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the Park each year, we are in awe of its spectacular vistas and natural scenery. This is a truly special property that deserves to be marketed to a worldwide audience in an effort to find a buyer who will truly value its unique beauty.”

 

“My great, great Uncle, Dr. Lucius B. Morse, first saw Chimney Rock in 1900 and was captivated by its beautiful cliffs, incredible views, spectacular rock formations and majestic waterfall,” said Todd B. Morse, President of Chimney Rock Park. “Countless others have fallen in love with it and, like our family, are in awe of its beauty and want it protected for the enjoyment of future generations.”

 

“After much thought and reflection on our family’s proud century-long relationship with our beloved Chimney Rock Park, we feel the time has come for us to step aside and identify the next steward to oversee this majestic part of the world,” added Lucius Morse, Chairman, Todd’s father and grandnephew of Dr. Morse.

 

Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, an in-law of the Morse Family has commented on visits to the Park, “I like walking the trails and taking the stairs to the top of Chimney Rock to look out over the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s really easy up there to feel like you’re on top of the world.”

 

The Park’s prominent landmark rock formation, Chimney Rock, is easily reached by an elevator that was built within the mountain. In an engineering project that began in 1946, a 198 foot long tunnel was blasted at the base of the granite cliffs and 8 tons of dynamite were used to create an elevator shaft more than 250 feet high. The elevator opened in 1949, helping to make Chimney Rock more accessible to thousands of visitors to the Park each year.