Sally's Y of East Lincoln County

Sitting on the top of a hill and hidden by an established grove of oak trees is a stately and historic home that serves as a lasting testament to the beauty and elegance of an earlier period in Lincoln County. With 30-foot Ionic brick columns and a pedimented portico, Ingleside is not only a piece of Piedmont history, but it is also one of North Carolina’s finest Federal-era mansions.

Closed to the public for nearly 200 years, Ingleside will open its doors for one weekend this year as it will serve as the centerpiece of the Christmas Tour for Sally’s Y. Proceeds from this home tour go toward the construction of Sally’s Y in east Lincoln County. It will be a lasting memorial to Sally Clark, 19, who was killed in April 2004, along with her cousin Grace Jordan, also 19, when the car in which they were riding was struck by a drunken driver.

Antebellum monument
A two-story brick mansion, Ingleside is monumental in design and conception. Built in 1817 for Daniel Forney, a member of Congress and a major in the War of 1812, Ingleside is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is believed to have been designed by Benjamin Latrobe, the architect of the U.S. Capitol. It is the earliest example of a central-hall plan in the county.

Ingleside has always been a private residence. Originally sitting on 867 acres, the mansion was passed from its original owner and builder, Daniel Forney, to James Anderson in 1871. Anderson then sold the mansion and a smaller portion of land to Willis Hall. It remained in the Hall family until 1951, when it was sold to David Clark Sr., along with nearly 600 acres of land. His daughter, Caroline Clark Morrison, currently owns Ingleside.

The mansion and its grounds have hosted many notable guests. It is believed that Lord Charles Cornwallis camped the British Army on the grounds in January 1781 during his pursuit of Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan. According to Beth Yarborough, organizer of the Christmas Tour for Sally’s Y and a real estate agent with Allen Tate Realtors, Cornwallis’ rock sits close to the mansion, along with several original farm buildings. Legend states that Cornwallis took afternoon tea with his officers on the rock because of its size, prime location and tranquility.

The interior of Ingleside holds a few surprises, too. The center hallway is accented by a wide staircase that climbs the curve of the back wall. The large drawing room boasts an elaborately decorated mantel and, according to Yarborough, the ceiling medallion of the formal parlor is identical to the one in the East Room of the White House.

Maple Grove masterpieces
In addition to historic Ingleside, visitors can tour five of Maple Grove’s private residences. Maple Grove is a private, gated community adjacent to Ingleside, just east of Denver along N.C. 73. Known for its privacy, large lots and custom homes, Maple Grove is an exclusive community seldom open for public viewing.

The largest house on the tour will be the home of David and Jo Clark, Sally’s parents. Built in 1986 and renovated and expanded in 2006, the Clark residence sits on more than 20 acres and features many classic English details. The custom-painted mural that adorns the front foyer features scenes from the surrounding Lincoln County countryside and brings the beauty of the grounds into the home in a unique and natural way.

“We are delighted to have our home on the tour at such a special time of the year and doubly delighted that the proceeds will go to the future YMCA,” David Clark says.

The Hamilton residence is an English manor-style house that includes many Old World and custom touches. One of the many original art pieces that will be on display is a contemporary piece by Peter Max, well known not only for his fine art but also for his 1960s album covers for The Beatles. Built in 1999, the Hamilton residence features an antique stained glass window that originally hung in one of the twin mansions built in Pittsburgh by the 1870s steel tycoon, James Laughlin.

Sitting on more than four acres, the Pence residence was built in 2002 and was a collaboration between local architect Dennis Williams and the homeowners. H. Morrison Brown of Charlotte designed the interior. The Pences’ custom home theater was featured in the December 2002 issue of Home Theater magazine.

Featuring many interesting furnishings and works of art from the owners’ years of residence in the Middle East, the Moore residence rests on more than six acres and was constructed in 2001. Built with classical traditional architecture, the home displays an antique Arabian door in the entry foyer.

The Lorch residence features a classical European style with custom stone and brick exterior combined with heavy French interior influences. The open foyer is highlighted with custom ironwork on the staircase, while the rear loggia uses antique lanterns from Morocco to connect to a charming carriage-house guest suite. Built in 1996, the home sits on more than seven acres.

Though the homes on the Christmas Tour for Sally’s Y feature various styles and influences, they all offer design inspiration. Says Yarborough, “We are honored to be able to share these wonderful homes with the community and especially pleased that our efforts are going to support such a deserving project.” She adds, “The homes are magnificent, and the history and beauty of Ingleside is apparent the moment you walk through the front door. It is a treasure to Lincoln County.”

Want To Go?
Christmas Tour for Sally’s Y

• What: A tour of homes to Benefit Sally’s YMCA of east Lincoln County, featuring historic Ingleside and Maple Grove
• When: Friday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 2
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Price: $25; limited number of tickets available each day.
• Where: The Christmas Tour for Sally’s Y is along N.C. 73, 3 miles west of N.C. 16. Parking, check-in and courtesy shuttles will be available at East Lincoln High School. No vehicle parking will be allowed at the tour site. Final shuttle of the day will leave check-in at 3 p.m. No cameras or pets are permitted.

Tickets are available at the following businesses:

Allen Tate Realtors, Denver office
499 N.C. 16 N,
704-809-1154
beth.yarborough@allentate.com

Peoples Bank at N.C. 16/73
142 S. N.C. 16
Denver
704-483-7727

Deborah Young Studio
20916 Catawba Ave.
Cornelius
704-896-3422
www.deborahyoungstudio.com

About Sally’s Y of East Lincoln County
In April 2004, 19-year-old Sally Clark and her cousin, Grace Jordan, were killed when the car in which they were riding was struck by a drunken driver in Huntersville. After her death, friends and family decided to create a memorial to remember Sally’s life and celebrate her love and passion for the outdoors.

Sally, a 2003 Charlotte Country Day graduate, was from Iron Station and a freshman at Peace College in Raleigh.
Her parents, David and Jo Clark, donated land owned by members of the family for a new YMCA, which will be a branch of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. The facility will occupy part of a 150-acre piece of farmland in the woods of east Lincoln County near new N.C. 16 and Optimist Club Road.

By this past October, combined efforts had raised more than $5.3 million toward a goal of $7 million. A capital campaign is under way to help pay for construction, and donations are being accepted.

Plans, which were based on feedback from the community, call for a 45,000-square-foot facility that would feature an indoor pool and track, gymnasium, exercise center, chapel and fitness center. The chapel will be named for Anna Grace Jordan, Sally Clark’s cousin who died in the accident with her. Grace, a 2002 East Lincoln High graduate, was from Denver and a freshman at N.C. State University. The center also will hold summer day camps and outdoor programs.

Construction could start in 2008, with the opening set for late 2009.