Originally the summer home of the prosperous Hampton family of South Carolina, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Wealthy planter Wade Hampton II purchased 450 acres (180 ha) in Cashiers Valley as an escape from the summer heat, humidity, and malaria of the Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina region.

After purchasing the property, the McKee's built a rustic two story Inn and added the famous 11 hole golf course designed by J. Victor East in 1924.

The History Centers main focus is to provide tours, programs, and archive the vast collection of historic photos and artifacts from the property.

It was designed by locally prominent architect Erle Stillwell and features a one-story, hip roofed wraparound porch with an extended Porte-cochère.