T. Peden Anderson to

1/27/1925 Town of Highlands for a park to

8/10/1961 HBS for Botanical Garden, 99 year lease

Not HBS

Lots 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 – Present-day Location of the Nature Center
Originally conveyed from T. Peden Anderson and Pearl H. Anderson, these lots were transferred on September 1, 1925, to Julius E. E. Berndt and Susie M. Berndt. On December 15, 1936, the properties were acquired by Highlands Biological Station for $1,000.

Earlier correspondence reveals how this acquisition unfolded. On March 13, 1934, Albertina Staub wrote to E. E. Reinke:

“Mr. Berndt has authorized me to sell his Ravenel Lake lots at a more moderate price than they have ever before been offered. On account of the bathing, boating, and fishing rights in the lake, I did not offer them to ‘outsiders’ until those interested in the biological value of the lake had had a chance, so I wrote to Clark Foreman and Dr. Coker.”

Recognizing the importance of securing these strategically located parcels, Clark Foreman offered to purchase Lots 6 through 11 in the interest of the Laboratory. To support the effort, funds were raised from ten contributors, totaling $1,050, to reimburse Foreman for the purchase.

Not HBS

Lots 13 and 14 – Effie Park Tract
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson to Robert L. Foreman on June 3, 1924, ownership later passed to Clark and Mairi Foreman. On May 21, 1962, Clark and Mairi Foreman transferred the property to Highlands Biological Station.

The conveyance was made in memory of Clark Foreman’s mother, Effie Park Howell Foreman (1870–1943), with the expressed intention that the land “be preserved in its natural state.”

Lots 15–17 – Lower Lake Road Side of the Lake
All three lots were ultimately conveyed to Highlands Biological Station for the nominal sum of $1.00.

The early ownership history records a transfer from Samuel P. Ravenel and Marguerite A. Ravenel to Eleanor D. Speer, followed by Speer’s conveyance to Robert L. Foreman on August 5, 1919.

Lot 15
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson, the property transferred on June 3, 1924, to Robert L. Foreman. Ownership later passed to Joan Foreman Klakow (1938– ) and her husband, Dietrich Krakow of Berlin, Germany, daughter of Clark Foreman. On May 24, 1962, the lot was conveyed to Highlands Biological Station.

Lots 15–17 – Lower Lake Road Side of the Lake
All three lots were ultimately conveyed to Highlands Biological Station for the nominal sum of $1.00.

The early ownership history records a transfer from Samuel P. Ravenel and Marguerite A. Ravenel to Eleanor D. Speer, followed by Speer’s conveyance to Robert L. Foreman on August 5, 1919.

Lot 16
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson, the property was transferred on June 3, 1924, to Robert L. Foreman. On February 26, 1953, ownership passed to Shelagh Alexandra Foreman Wolf (1935– ) and Dr. David E. Wolf, daughter of Clark Foreman. The lot was subsequently conveyed to Highlands Biological Station on May 24, 1962.

Lots 15–17 – Lower Lake Road Side of the Lake
All three lots were ultimately conveyed to Highlands Biological Station for the nominal sum of $1.00.

The early ownership history records a transfer from Samuel P. Ravenel and Marguerite A. Ravenel to Eleanor D. Speer, followed by Speer’s conveyance to Robert L. Foreman on August 5, 1919.

Lot 17
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson, the property was transferred on June 3, 1924, to Robert L. Foreman. Ownership later passed to Clark and Mairi Foreman, who conveyed the lot to Highlands Biological Station on May 21, 1962.

Trustees’ records from June 1962 reflect their appreciation:

“The Trustees recorded their gratitude to Mr. R. L. Foreman Jr. and Mr. Clark Foreman for their quiet and forceful negotiations in aiding the Station’s acquisition of Lots 13–17.”

Lot 18 Not HBS Property

Lot 19
On July 15, 1961, Robert and Rosalie Mason White of Malibu, California, donated the property to Highlands Biological Station. The lot had previously belonged to Robert White’s mother, Mrs. Pacidia White of Thomasville, Georgia.

Lot 20 Not HBS

Lot 21 – Pierson / Valentine Property

Lot 21 ultimately became part of the Pierson–Valentine property holdings associated with the Valentine House. The chain of ownership traces back to E. E. Ewing, who conveyed the property in 1881. In December 1936, ownership transferred to S. Porter Pierson, followed by conveyance on May 14, 1945, to J. Manson Valentine.

The property later passed to James P. Valentine, who conveyed the holdings on July 2, 1975. On June 26, 1981, Lot 21 was formally acquired by Highlands Biological Station under the State of North Carolina.

Gift of the Valentine House Property

The Valentine House property — which included Lot 21 and its photo studio — forms an important part of the Station’s campus history. Its ownership progression reflects the broader consolidation of lands supporting the Station’s growth and development.

Lot 22
Originally conveyed by Fred D. Alexander and Lillian P. Alexander, the property was transferred on September 3, 1937, to W. C. Coker and Louise V. Coker. The Cokers subsequently donated the lot to Highlands Biological Station on October 22, 1937.

Lots 23 and 24 – Dam, Lake, and Lake Edge
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson to Frank Potts, the properties — including the dam, lake, and adjoining lake edge — were transferred to Highlands Biological Station on April 10, 1931.

Lot 40 - Not HBS

Lot 41 - Not HBS

Lot 42 – Illges Property
The ownership history of Lot 42 reflects a long sequence of conveyances. On April 1, 1920, S. P. Ravenel and F. L. Ravenel conveyed the property to Jennette G. White and Rebecca S. White. The Whites subsequently sold the lot on April 2, 1924, to T. Peden Anderson and Pearl H. Anderson.

On September 1, 1925, the Andersons transferred the property to Julius E. E. Berndt and Susie M. Berndt, who later conveyed it on April 12, 1926, to James R. Sullivan and Mamie A. Sullivan. The Sullivans sold the lot on October 6, 1932, to Ruth Hull Lummus, followed by Lummus’s conveyance on December 28, 1937, to John P. Illges.

On November 21, 1950, Illges transferred fractional ownership of the property, conveying three-fifths (3/5) to Highlands Biological Station and two-fifths (2/5) to the Highlands Community Hospital. On January 19, 1956, Highlands Biological Station agreed to purchase the hospital’s interest for $3,600. The obligation was satisfied in full on May 31, 1958.

Lots 43-46 - Not HBS

Lots 47 and 48
Originally conveyed by T. Peden Anderson, Lots 47 and 48 were transferred on August 8, 1931, to W. C. Coker and Louise V. Coker.

Portions of Lot 48 later became part of the Coker Rhododendron Trail. Additional sections of the Anderson property were likewise conveyed on August 8, 1931, to W. C. and Louise V. Coker and were subsequently transferred to Highlands Biological Station on June 14, 1954.

In 1975, a new trail was established along the eastern and northern margins of the lake, creating a physical connection between the Botanical Garden and the Rhododendron Trail.

Lot 49 - Not HBS