The Kron House

Walking up to the isolated house sitting on a gentle knoll in Morrow Mountain State Park, North Carolina, I felt as if I were truly stepping back in time. Dr. Francis Kron bought the house from William McGregor, a Scottish preacher, in 1839, after immigrating from Prussia. He expanded the small farm into a tract of over 6,000 acres.

Dr. Kron became a noted doctor, horticulturist, and strong supporter of education. His home, doctor's office, infirmary, and greenhouse have been reconstructed as they would have appeared in 1870 and are open to the public. His wife died in 1873, but he lived until 1883, practicing medicine until he was in his 80's. After his death, his two daughters, Elizabeth and Adele inherited the property.

Dr. Kron appears briefly in Transplanted to Red Clay when the Moretzes and Patrick Whitley travel to Morrow Mountain for a picnic. Here are two excepts from the book:

            “Dr. Kron is an interesting man,” Patrick told them as they traveled. “He was born in Prussia, married in France, and immigrated to America in 1823. He was the first doctor in this area, but he’s also a noted horticulturist and is interested in education. He has his home, doctor’s office, infirmary, and a greenhouse on the mountain. I’d guess he’s in his late seventies now.”

            “Does he have children?” Mama asked.

            “I think he has two daughters who never married. I believe they went to school in Raleigh, but that’s all I know about them. I’ve never met them.”

            Several miles out of Albemarle, they began to climb. They slowed and let the horses take the incline at their own pace. After a while they came to Dr. Kron’s house.

            Rachel and Mama stayed mounted, while Patrick and Papa went to the door. Dr. Kron gave them permission to ride around the mountain and invited them in for a visit, but they declined.

            “Well, at least go around the back and give the horses a drink,” the doctor said. “You can fill up your canteens too.”

            They did but soon continued on. Rachel looked up and the sun appeared to be directly overhead. It would soon be time to eat.

            The views were beautiful as they rode. The mountain wasn’t as high or as rugged as the ones in Watauga County, but it was heavily wooded with outcroppings of rock, and it gave a panoramic view of the valley below.

            They stopped at a small green meadow to have their picnic. A deer quickly loped back into the forest as they dismounted.

(All my profits from my books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children. Dr. Kron would have approved.)

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