Mill Ridge: A Historical Neighborhood in the High Country of NC

By Banner Elk, Boone, Local Information August 19, 2020

The High Country of North Carolina is home to many historical neighborhoods. One of the most known is Mill Ridge. If you have traveled to Boone or Banner Elk over the last couple of decades, you can attest to the incredible amount of change  throughout the region. Our small quaint mountain town, which may have once been described as “sleepy,” is now a bustling community year-round. Many neighborhoods like Mill Ridge, have evolved along with the town. What they looked like 50 years ago is not what you find today!

The History of Mill Ridge

Mill Ridge Ski Resort map from the 1960s/1970s.

Mill Ridge is located in Foscoe, directly in between Boone and Banner Elk. To enter Mill Ridge you cross over the Watauga River just off of Highway 105. In the 1960s and 1970s Mills Ridge was a ski resort and was primarily used as a mountain retreat for people that lived off the mountain. Mill Ridge was filled with small ski chalets and round Deltec homes scattered throughout the mountainside, surrounded by native rhododendron, huge boulders, and beautiful hardwoods. As larger ski resorts like Sugar Mountain, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and Beech Mountain became the main attraction, the Mill Ridge ski lift had to shut down. But this mountain community changed with the times and has reinvented itself as more of a primary residence community.

What’s Happening in the Neighborhood Nowadays?

Today Mill Ridge is a mixture of full-time local families but still offers that mountain getaway for second homeowners and their guests. The “resort” feeling is still alive and evident with amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, ponds, creeks, and wonderful fishing in the Watauga River.

Rusted red ski lift abandoned in historic Mill Ridge neighborhood.

Children can be seen riding bikes around the loop or playing in the expansive park-like grassy fields. Neighbors enjoy meeting around the pool in the summer months and playing a few rounds of tennis. The angler will find that the street of the Watauga River that flows through the neighborhood is a wonderful place to catch Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and the native Brook Trout. The ponds are homes to migratory birds and make for excellent bird watching. If you are ever feeling nostalgic just hike up one of the trails to the top and find the old ski lift and you can imagine watching skiers getting on and off the lift. Mill Ridge is a wonderful place to live full time and raise a family. This community is also a great place for a vacation rental investment or a second home.

Want to See Mill Ridge for Yourself?

Come visit next time you are in the area! 828 Real Estate’s agents and brokers specialize in buying and selling property in High Country of North Carolina and can help you find the perfect place in Mill Ridge.

About the Author
Corrinne Loucks, NC Broker/REALTOR® • 828-773-1615 • [email protected]

A Realtor® in Boone and the High Country since 2003, I am passionate about offering my clientele superior service, innovative marketing, and a highly personalized, boutique-style experience. Upon moving to Boone, I started my real estate career as an Investor and was Broker-In-Charge of my own firm. Since then, I have excelled with other real estate firms and built a strong network of client friends. Together with my network of real estate-related professionals, along with my Professional Home Staging business, we will polish your home buying/selling experience with your goals as a priority. 

I’ve lived all over the United States from the NE to the SE and California before landing in Boone, NC. You’ve seen the signs, “The mountains are calling, and I must go?” Well, that was me 21 years ago! I love bluegrass music and, it seems, many of the great pickers were born in NC with a guitar in their hands! I sing, play a little mandolin and keyboards, and can be found at outdoor festivals and concerts when I’m not showing property! I also participate in many of our area’s outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to kayaking- the New River is my summer home! Caring for the needs of High Country residents is also very important to me. I serve in many ways, from preparing and serving meals at the Hospitality House to School Events to Habitat for Humanity Home Builds. In addition, I am honored to serve our community as a Licensed Foster Parent and Certified Guardian ad Litem, advocating for children in the courtroom.

The High Country of North Carolina is unique, with sizeable second home and student populations driving much of the market. It’s important that you work with a Realtor® like myself who is experienced and educated in the area, guaranteeing our success together. The acronyms behind my Broker title are not just letters - they stand for something;

 GRI - Graduate of the Realtor Institute. Brokers holding this designation have completed 12 3-day courses over 2 years or more for in-depth training.

 ABR - Accredited Buyer's Agent. An (ABR®) designation means your Realtor® has made extra efforts to raise the bar with additional courses and proven experience in serving BUYERS.

 SFR - Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification. Short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, and the courses I've taken arm me with the knowledge to assist clients in this area.

My business approach is founded on building lasting relationships based on commitment and trust, and much of my business comes from referrals from past clients. 

Make me Your Realtor of Choice, and work with someone you can trust to take your needs to heart and find the perfect property for YOU in the HIGH COUNTRY!