Welcome to Thompson’s Tuckaway!
A recent history
In 1966 James and Martha Thompson of Vero Beach, Florida purchased the home from the Bailey family of Burlington, North Carolina. The house had been used by the Bailey family for summer vacations. It came to the Thompson's completely furnished--a lovely, simple mountain cottage. The house had a large front porch, living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and large screened-in back porch downstairs. Upstairs there were three bedrooms, alcove and bath. Below the back porch was an open area with concrete floor. There was no heat and air conditioning (except by nature). The house was not insulated so each fall it was winterized and closed for the cold winter months. A little research at the tax office revealed the house was built in 1915, one of several built that year on this street by Dr. Craven, the superintendent of Buncombe County Schools
James and Martha decided to use the house for their personal vacation home and to make it suitable for use by groups attending the Ridgecrest summer conferences. The Thompson's divided the back porch to provide a downstairs bathroom and enclosed the remaining porch area with rustic windows. The dining room was moved to the back porch allowing the previous dining room to be used as a bedroom. The alcove area upstairs was furnished with a set of bunk beds. The area under the back porch was enclosed and furnished with bunk beds and a double bed. Now the house could sleep sixteen people and the Thompsons encouraged the rental of the cottage to church groups attending the weekly conferences at Ridgecrest. The house was used during the summer and early fall then closed for the winter. Thompson’s Tuckaway was used in this manner from 1966 to 1998. In August 1998 the unoccupied house suffered major damage when a water pipe burst in the upstairs bathroom. The damage to walls and floors was severe and would require extensive repair work. Mrs. Thompson, with encouragement from her children, decided to take this opportunity to completely remodel the house. James, who passed away in 1985, would have heartily agreed with this venture. Now the downstairs bears little resemblance to the old floor plan—walls have been moved or eliminated; there is a large living room/great room, a new kitchen, new floor coverings, a new bath and the "back porch" is now a beautiful dining room/sunroom. Wiring and plumbing were totally replaced and updated to current standards. The home has been insulated and has central heat and air conditioning making it suitable for year round occupancy. The home has been tastefully redecorated and has all the comforts of home. A recent visitor compared our home to a bed and breakfast. Having lodged at many bed and breakfasts over the years in different parts of the country, we must agree with her. In fact, the home is purposely furnished and decorated with the intent of making it more like a bed and breakfast than a traditional summer rental in the area. We hope you find our lovely home a comfortable mountain getaway for visiting, vacationing and enjoying the beauty and quiet of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
In 1999, the Thompsons’ daughter, Jo and her husband, Tom Suttles bought the house from Martha and now use Thompson’s Tuckaway as a second home and vacation rental. We invite you to enjoy your stay and vacation time in our home and the Blue Ridge Mountains.