Tom and Jethina Whorley and Rocky Knob Cabins
By Beverly Belcher Woody
Recently there was quite a discussion on social media about the dreadful condition of the Rocky Knob Housekeeping Cabins. It was bittersweet to read, the wonderful memories people shared of their stay at the local landmark. The cabins are approaching a decade of sitting vacant, devoid of family reunions, honeymoons, and church group camping trips.
The irony of this woeful situation is that the cabins would be booked every weekend if a concessionaire could be found to manage them. The cabins have declined to such a state that it will take a great deal of money and effort to return them to their glory days.
I recently spoke with Carolyn Ward of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and she offered the following statement: “The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation considers Rocky Knob Cabins as one of their potential investments for future projects on the Parkway. They are working with the park to outline plans for potential projects the Foundation can fund and partner with the Parkway on in the future.”
I also recently spoke with Valley Rich about volunteer opportunities on the Blue Ridge Parkway and she provided the following the link and information. “These types of organizations are always in need of volunteers. Not just people to do manual labor either. The ones I’m currently involved in are always begging for people to man kiosks, visitor centers, report on trail conditions, and do clerical work. You name it, they need it! While a lot of projects get put on hold due to funding, when a large portion of the “personnel expense” is covered by volunteers, things happen MUCH faster. I have met so many incredible people and been to so many beautiful places through my volunteer work. Being a part of these groups has been so fulfilling. I get giddy every time a ‘call for volunteers’ goes out!” https://www.brpfoundation.org/volunteer-blue-ridge-parkway
The Rocky Knob Housekeeping Cabins are located at the intersection of Willis Road and Rock Church Road at the head of the Rock Castle Gorge trail. The cabins were built in the late 1930’s and early 40’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You may visit the link https://npgallery.nps.gov, type Rocky Knob Cabins in the search box, and view photos of the construction and happier times at the cabins.
The original cabin of John and Susan Sutphin McAlexander is located at the site of the housekeeping cabins; however, it is more commonly known as the Tom Whorley cabin. John and Susan’s daughter, Jethina Rosabelle McAlexander married Samuel Wood in 1886. They lived at the cabin with their two children, Lillie and Matthew Wood. Samuel passed away in 1889 and Jethina married Thomas Worley in 1894. Tom was born in Floyd County in 1867 to John and Docia Underwood Whorley. Jethina and Tom had seven children, Joseph, John, Thomas, Joshua, Jesse, Walter, and Susie. Anyone who has read Richard C. David’s book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain, will recognize those names.
Thomas Whorley was a farmer, like most everyone else in the community, but he was also a preacher. Mr. Matt Hubbard can recall going to hear Tom Whorley preach at the Rock Castle school located at the bottom of the gorge.
Tom and Jethina Whorley were blessed with long lives; he lived to the age of 98 and she lived to be 86. The couple and several of their children are buried at the Jonathan Conner cemetery beside of Woodberry Inn.
There are several ways to help save these priceless, irreplaceable, historic cabins: contact local community leaders and tourism executives, write your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate, write or call the Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters at 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803, telephone number (828) 348-3400, or contact the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation at https://www.brpfoundation.org/volunteer-blue-ridge-parkway
(Steve Adkins, Joy Davidson, Valley Rich, and Carolyn Ward contributed to this column.)
Woody can be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com.
