The Warm Springs Valley is an unusual place. It is a high trapped valley 800-1000 feet above the two river valleys on either side. These rivers, the Jackson and Cowpasture join to create Virginia’s most important river, the James. This high valley is formed on the east by Warm Springs Mountain with an elevation of 4,211 feet, and drains to the west through six gaps. Each gap has a large spring forming mountain streams that cascade rapidly to the river below. The unusual part is that three of these springs are thermal, and, that they alternate by gap: a hot spring then a cold trout stream next to the south, followed by another hot spring and another cold one; nature’s hot and cold running water alternating down a 20 mile valley. The thermal springs have drawn mankind since the earliest days and in 1761 Thomas Jefferson designed the wooden bath house over the Warm Springs pool. This is still the oldest existing bath house in the United States. (Click here)
If you visited the Warm Springs Valley many years ago, decided you wanted to stay, and had your choice of any location to make your own, you would certainly have chosen the Three Hills site. The perfect setting of a level and elevated saddle, with Warm Springs Mountain guarding the back, positioned right in the middle of the Warm Springs Gap with views west to our eastern continental divide. Before Mary Johnston built Three Hills in 1913, this property was owned by General Andrew Lewis.
Mary Johnston came to Warm Springs with her parents many times as a child to take the water that had a restorative effect on her health. (Click here) When her second novel became a best seller, she used her new wealth to return to the one place she had found essential to her well being. She moved into Three Hills in 1913 with her two sisters and began her most prolific writing phase. Her first six novels sold over one million copies - an unheard of feat in that day.
Her Virginian roots went back to a great grandfather who was captured by Indians. In 1769 he secured a land patent near Buchanan from King George III. Her father was president of the James River Canal system and later The Georgia Pacific and Southern Railroad. Her family educated her extensively through the U.S. and Europe, but it was the mountains of Virginia that brought her peace and creativity.
When Mrs. Johnston moved into Three Hills, The Homestead was entering its’ hey day. The Homestead was rescued around the turn of the century by the Ingalls’ family. Fay Ingalls wrote a history called The Valley Road, and described Three Hills as “one of the finest views in the Valley.” Mr. Ingalls described Mary Johnston; “She was particularly fond of a walk through a tangled wilderness between her property and the company’s and built a small structure where she could read or write.” This trail still exists with its stone work, stone bench resting spots and ancient lilacs as it takes a gentle slope up the mountain through what is today The Nature Conservancy’s 10,000 acre preserve.
Today the estate is owned by Doug and Charlene Fike who purchased Three Hills in 1993 with family and friends and began the restoration of this spectacular home and gardens. The property is currently operated as an inn and restaurant. Their dream was to return the home to its original residential floor plan with the two guest cottages built for Mary’s sisters Eloise and Elizabeth.
The residence today encompasses 12,000 square feet of interior space on two floors. There are 26 rooms and 11 baths. There are two guest cottages: Crabapple Cottage that is close to the original design and a second, Sycamore Cottage that was modernized and enlarged to a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with greenhouse additions to the south. The fourth original structure is the Garden Cottage overlooking the English boxwood garden planted by Ms. Johnston. The Fikes added a two story, 4200 square feet octagonal building with offices on the lower level and kitchen and meeting space on the main level.
The 29 acres is accessed by a winding drive up from Route 220 and bounded to the north and east by the Homestead Preserve. (Click here) The southern boundary adjoins a wooded tract protecting water sources for the Warm Springs Water Association.
There are only two other sites in this unique valley that come close to the stunning perspective of Three Hills. They were both owned by the Ingalls’ family and today the site above Hot Springs is part of the Homestead Preserve while the second is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Warm Springs Mountain Preserve. (Click here) This spectacular location in Warm Springs comes with one of the truly significant homes built during a period in this valley that saw our most prolific estate construction.
The Warm Springs Valley offers a wide range of cultural interest to complement the restorative peace, quiet and privacy the mountain domain of Three Hills provides. The Garth Newel Music Center (Click here) hosts a resident chamber music quintet and fabulous chef. Garth Newel also sponsors numerous other events featuring jazz, blues and salsa musicians along with gourmet cooking classes. The Garth Newel Estate is home of the Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival.
The Homestead offers residents a Golf and Tennis Club Membership that encompasses amenities unsurpassed by any club in the United States. The resort (Click here) also sponsors special events throughout the year such as major golf tournaments at one of three championship courses, skeet tournaments at the world renowned shooting club, themed weekend events such as "Big Band Weekend" and "In the Garden Weekend" as well as traditional holiday celebrations.
A short drive puts three other spectacular venues close at hand. The Blackfriars Theatre in Staunton, Virginia is an exact replica of Shakespeare's only enclosed theater with over 50 performances each year. (Click here) Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia has events throughout the year that range from classic theater to bluegrass to dance. (Click here) Another local favorite is the outdoor venue with an old Civil War location. Lime Kiln Theatre is the perfect spot for a picnic and performance under the stars. (Click here)
Bath County is also home to many art galleries. The Warm Springs Gallery (Click here) is just one example of the active community of artisans who support the annual Bath County Art Show.
Three Hills overlooks a vibrant valley from its secluded perch where each day offers the choice of clear rivers full of wild trout, two hundred square miles of verdant forest and trails, an unsurpassed club and resort, theater, art and music from Bethoven to the Blues.
$4,790,000
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Interior Photos
Conference Center and Amphitheater
Warm Springs Gap Views
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