Did You Know?

In 1913 Dr. Robert Anderson, President of the Mountain Retreat Association, first proposed that Montreat establish a post-secondary school, noting that Montreat Hotel and other facilities were seldom used in the winter. By 1915 the General Assembly agreed, indicating that it would support a school to prepare teachers. Several months earlier, Mary Miles Jordan had approached Dr. Anderson asking for permission to open a small boarding school for girls. Not knowing what the response of the General Assembly would be, he shared her request with the Executive Committee. On March 17, 1915, the committee granted her permission to use Andelk Lodge* for her school, which she named Wildewood.

She also received permission to use MRA athletic grounds and equipment. Jordan advertised the school widely, not only in local newspapers but in publications such as The Outlook and Harper’s Bazaar. The initial catalog stated that Wildewood was “free from the artificial appeal of a modern city, [where] life may be lived in naturalness and sweetness, true values and fine ideals molded into cultured minds and splendid characters.” Essentially, it was a finishing school, offering courses that included English, History, Bible, and French; Physical Training and Household Arts; and Music and Art. If students wanted to attend college, the brochure promised that “courses will be arranged to meet the entrance requirements of the college selected by the pupil.”

Jordan was the Principal of the school and her mother, Mrs. George Marshall (Nancy Caroline) Jordan was the House Mother.  The most well-known faculty members were Mr. and Mrs. Crosby Adams, who had moved to Montreat following successful careers in Chicago and were in charge of the Music Department. 

Wildewood never attracted more than a handful of students, and when Montreat Normal School opened in 1916 Jordan decided to close Wildewood at the conclusion of the 1916-1917 academic year.

*Andelk Lodge had been a hunting lodge belonging to John Huyler, an early financier of Montreat. Upon Huyler’s death, Anderson and William Belk purchased the property, named it “Andelk,” and donated it to Montreat.  It contained large rooms for dining and other gatherings as well as small bedrooms. After its use as Wildewood School, it next became the central building for Camp Montreat, which opened in 1924. Camp Montreat closed in 1967 and the building, in considerable disrepair, was soon demolished.

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for additional Montreat history and so much more. Have an idea for a future “Did You Know?”? Let Nancy know at midgette@elon.edu.