Historic Tapoco Lodge

In 1930, as part of hydroelectric efforts in Graham and Swain counties of North Carolina, the Aluminum Company of America built the Historic Tapoco Lodge. During the early years, it served as the executive retreat for ALCOA executives involved in the building of Cheoah Dam. It was during this time that it was also utilized as the personal escape for then President of ALCOA, Andrew Mellon. Known for Mellon Banks, Carnegie Mellon University, and of course for his tenure as the US Secretary of the Treasury, it was at Tapoco Lodge that he found his inspiration and developed the foundation for many later successes. For several decades, the lodge was used as a resort by ALCOA as it shifted from an exclusive retreat to a place for friends and families to gather. As the late 1990’s approached the property fell into disrepair and was sold to the Cody Family of Robbinsville, North Carolina. In June of 1995, Historic Tapoco Lodge was re-opened to the public as a traditional mountain retreat for guests of all ages to enjoy. In 2010, the lodge was purchased by Ronnie and Terry Hedrick of Robbinsville, North Carolina who focused their efforts on renovating and restoring the property to what they described as, “an image of it’s glory days.” After much labor and love, the Hedrick’s decided that the next chapter of the Historic Tapoco Lodge story would be in the hands of a new generation of caretakers. After admiring the lodge for nearly three decades and in what can only be described as a story of fate, the Bailey and Turner families of East Tennessee purchased the lodge in December of 2014. Focusing on celebrating the rich biodiversity, landscape, and history of the lush 120-acre property, the new caretakers of this piece of history welcome you to make your very own memories and build your very own lodge story. Welcome to Historic Tapoco Lodge. Welcome to a better place in time – today.