D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections and University Archives

"Overlook"
Asheville, North Carolina


"Overlook ..." cover
D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, UNC at Asheville
Title "Overlook," Asheville, North Carolina
Identifier http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/books/booklets/overlook/overlook.htm
Creator Roy E. Burton, Realtor
Subject Keyword Overlook ; Fred Loring Seely ; Seely's Castle ; residences ; Sunset Mountain ; zoos ; real estate ; Asheville, NC ;
Subject LCSH Overlook (Asheville, N.C.)
Sunset Mountain (Asheville, N.C.)
Asheville (N.C.) -- History -- Pictorial works
Asheville (N.C.) -- Architecture
North Carolina -- Social life and customs -- Pictorial works
Asheville (N.C.) -- Description and travel
Date digital Date digitally published: 2005-28-05
Publisher Digital Publisher   D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804
Contributor

 

Type Source type: Photographs ; Text 
Format image/jpeg/text
Source Vertical File, Seely's Castle
Language English
Relation E.M. Ball Photographic Collection, UNCA ; Biltmore Industries Archive , UNCA;  LeCompte Postcard Collection, UNCA;  Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa - WelcomeGrove Park Inn Finest Resort in the World, UNCA ; Grove Park Inn - "In the Land of the Sky" (after 1917) , UNCA ; .Biltmore Industries,  UNCA ;
Coverage temporal 1940's ?
Coverage spatial Asheville, NC
Rights Any display, publication or public use must credit D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Copyright retained by the authors of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor Bruce Greenwalt
Description Small, unpaginated, eleven page booklet, describing "Overlook," Fred Seely's private residence on Sunset Mountain. Prepared for the sale of the property by Roy E. Burton, Realtor, in the mid 1940's. Contains text about the home and images of both exterior and interior.
Acquisition 2003-05-01
Citation "Overlook," Asheville, North Carolina, Booklets  D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804
Processed by Special Collections staff,  2005
Last update 2005-05-30

    

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Description - "Overlook," Asheville, North Carolina

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Front Cover over01 Cover of "Overlook," Asheville, North Carolina over001.jpg (253143 bytes)
Back Cover over02 Inside Front Cover. "Roy E. Burton, Realtor [replaces Bramlett & Burton, Realtors, crossed out in heavy black ink] 20 South Pack Square, Asheville, North Carolina. over002.jpg (155821 bytes)
page 1 over03 "Overlook", on top of Sunset Mountain, is but two miles over paved roads from the business section of Asheville and commands breath-taking views of the city and surrounding mountains.

The twenty-seven acres are terraced and landscaped, and possess that "ivied" look so suitable to the English-Gothic architecture of the main house. The effect is such that "overlook" has become as much a part of the natural landscape as the mountain itself.

The advantages of altitude, fresh mountain air, sunshine and shade have been captured and blended into this magnificent estate for year-round use. Spacious lawns, shaded nooks, a wisteria arbor leading to a summer house, pools, formal and informal flower gardens, a children's playground, a tennis court, a picnic ground and vegetable gardens make "Overlook" particularly delightful from early Spring to late Fall, and the southern exposure of every principal room, including the six bedrooms, makes the home pleasant and cheerful during the brief Winter season.

Truly, "Overlook" is one of the choice homes of all America.

over003.jpg (298042 bytes)
page 2 over04

[View of exterior from below.]

BUILDINGS:

MAIN HOUSE: Constructed of hollow tile and native stone with reinforced concrete foundation All floors are tile with the exception of bedrooms which are select oak. Interior woodwork is unusually fine quartered oak. Hand-wrought hardware. Double-locking metal casement windows, effectively insulated. Steam vapor heating system with two stoker-fired boilers (one for emergency use). Separate stoker-fired heater for summer hot water.

principal rooms: Entrance Court or informal living room, Living Room (30' x 57'), Music Room, Library (40' x 50'), Dining Room (24' x 36'), tiled Kitchen (24' x 27'), Butler's and storage Pantries, six Bedrooms and four tiled baths (three Bedrooms and two baths on each floor), and an upstairs Sitting Room.

GARAGE: 4-car stone building with caretaker's shop.

BARN: 2-story stone building with concrete floor. For general use or as stable for saddle horses.

over004.jpg (297233 bytes)
page 3 over05 [View of exterior with lawn and fountain.] over005.jpg (276997 bytes)
page 4 over06 [View of interior living Room.] over006.jpg (282509 bytes)
page 5 over07 [View of interior of Sun Room.] over007.jpg (226516 bytes)
page 6 over08 [View of Library] over008.jpg (269678 bytes)
page 7 over09 [View out large window toward Asheville.] over009.jpg (257834 bytes)
page 8 over10 PHOTOGRAPHS:

The cover and the succeeding four photographs convey some idea of the setting and exterior of "Overlook". Note particularly the "tapestry-like" quality of the stone work.

The interior views show the spaciousness of the rooms and that as much attention was paid to design and finish as was lavished on the exterior.

The entrance Court is really an informal Living Room where sunshine and fresh air may be controlled by the three windows opening to the southeast, south, and southwest.

The large Living Room, with its oak paneling and ceiling beams, stone fireplace and tall windows, harmonize perfectly with the architecture of "Overlook."

A scholar or statesman, or just a lover of good books will find special delight in the Library. Solid mahogany bookshelves cover one entire wall and massive picture windows are set in the south and west walls. A portion of the view from the south window is shown.

Children, too, are provided for through each stage of their development. First, they will enjoy the sandbox, then the swings, the tennis court, the winding pavements for bicycling -- and , always, they will bet the wonderful effect of sunshine and fresh air. When their interests spread beyond "Overlook" they will find and follow the many trails for horseback riding or hiking over nearby mountains.

People of all ages and all interests will find "Overlook" a home to cherish in their hearts -- for "Overlook" was designed for LIVING!

over010.jpg (289813 bytes)
page 9 over11 [Inside Back Cover, photograph of road and passageway through home.]

Offered Subject to Prior Sale, Withdrawal or Change Without Notice --exclusively by Roy E. Burton, Realtor, 20 South Pack Square, Asheville, North Carolina.

over011.jpg (244141 bytes)
page 10 over12 Back Cover no image