1916-1954 in Sapphire

Sapphire Valley 1916-1954

With the failure of the Toxaway dam, the Toxaway area was sold and Sapphire Valley remained in the Jennings estate  and the Fairfield Inn operated until the 1940's.

Tatum Wofford from Palm Beach operated the Tatum Ski Club, a beach, swim and water ski club in Florida.

Mr. Tatum envisioned  a similar resort in the mountains of Western North Carolina and acquired the Sapphire Valley area in 1946.
 
Tatum Sky Club was born and the the plans included an air strip, ice rink, and new cabins built around the valley.

(More on this period of Sapphire Valley under research now)












This image of the current driving range (Red Bird and Sapphire National Golf Course) is taken from about the mid-point of the old Tatum Sky Club landing strip.

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