Nestled among the gentle ridges and whispering woodlands on the eastern edge of Waynesville, Highland Forest has long been more than just a collection of charming homes and scenic streets. It’s a community with deep roots and a dynamic story, where the past and present blend as seamlessly as the rhododendrons blend into the forest’s edge. For newcomers and longtime residents alike, Highland Forest embodies a spirit of neighborliness, natural beauty, and pride in its storied heritage.
Origins Among the Highlands
The land that would become Highland Forest began as dense forestland, used by Native American peoples for generations before European settlers gradually entered the region in the very early 19th century. Waynesville itself was founded in 1810, and the woodlands northeast of present-day downtown remained quiet and mostly untouched for decades, inhabited more by deer and foxes than people.
It wasn’t until the years following World War II, when Waynesville was growing and families from throughout North Carolina sought homes in the picturesque mountain valleys, that attention turned toward developing this serene enclave. Early plats and maps from the late 1940s and 1950s show the first signs of subdivision, and by the 1960s, Highland Forest had started to take shape as a planned neighborhood.
How Highland Forest Got Its Name
Names carry meanings, and Highland Forest’s is no exception. Developers and local leaders saw an opportunity to distinguish this new neighborhood by emphasizing two defining features:
- Highland: A nod to both the elevated terrain—setting Highland Forest just above the hustle and bustle of central Waynesville—and the Scottish roots of many early Appalachian settlers.
- Forest: Reflecting the mature hardwoods, pines, and native laurels that cloaked the hillsides and still line much of Forest Drive and Highland Road today.
Neighbors, even now, cherish the canopy of green that envelopes the community, and the name remains as apt as ever.
Key Historical Milestones
Highland Forest’s development mirrored broader trends in Waynesville’s postwar expansion, but with its own unique highlights:
- 1963 – Founding of the Highland Forest Association: As new homes appeared along Forest Drive, Highland Road, and Poplar Street, residents formed an association to maintain shared green spaces and provide a welcoming atmosphere. This tradition of collaboration set the tone for decades of community engagement.
- 1970s-1980s – Growth and Neighborhood Character: The next two decades saw a flurry of homebuilding, with mountain cottages and ranch-style homes becoming signatures. Many original homes still stand, lovingly restored and updated.
- 1994 – Establishment of Highland Forest Park: Residents came together to preserve a 2-acre wooded glen between Pine Leaf Court and Highland Road as a public green space. With trails, picnic tables, and a small playground, it’s been host to countless birthday parties and summer picnics.
- 2000s – Modernization and Preservation: While some newer homes and renovations have arrived, Highland Forest has consistently prioritized integration with the landscape, preserving ancient oaks and dogwoods whenever possible.
Notable Landmarks and Streets
Despite its relatively modest size, Highland Forest boasts several sites and streets of note:
- Highland Forest Park: The neighborhood’s treasured green space, it’s a haven for dog walkers, kids playing tag, and bird watchers alike.
- Forest Drive: The oldest street in Highland Forest, known for its towering tulip poplars and close-knit row of mid-century homes.
- The Old Spruce Cabin: Tucked quietly behind Ridge View Circle, this lovingly restored 1920s log cabin is one of the last physical reminders of the area’s pre-subdivision days. With its moss-covered roof and wraparound porch, it’s both a landmark and a symbol of the blend between past and present.
- Poplar Street: Lined with iconic sugar maples, this street becomes a riot of fiery red and gold each October—drawing visitors from across Waynesville for autumn photo ops.
The People and Traditions
One of Highland Forest’s most enduring legacies is its tradition of neighborliness and community spirit. For decades, the annual October “Woodland Social” has brought families together for cider, bluegrass, and storytelling by the firepit in Highland Forest Park. Longtime residents recall holiday luminaria lighting the streets, neighborhood cleanups, and block parties that always seem to end with laughter under the stars.
The Highland Forest Association continues to host seasonal initiatives, from the spring wildflower walks led by local botanists to autumn’s leaf-raking challenges. Old-timers and new arrivals alike pitch in—and, in the process, forge lifelong connections.
Evolution and Enduring Appeal
Much has changed since the days of gravel roads and unbroken woods. Modern Highland Forest is a well-established neighborhood, its homes reflecting decades of architectural styles and its residents a mix of young families, retirees, and professionals drawn to the harmony of quiet living close to downtown Waynesville.
Yet, some things never change: the sight of children racing bikes along Highland Road, the mingled scent of pine needles and fresh rain after a mountain storm, and the gentle hush of dusk settling through the trees.
Just a stone’s throw from Hazelwood Elementary and Waynesville’s vibrant Main Street, Highland Forest offers the best of both worlds—peaceful seclusion and access to all that makes this mountain town special.
Discovering Highland Forest Today
For those with an eye for history, Highland Forest is a living archive—a place where stories linger and heritage endures. Whether you’re strolling beneath century-old oaks, pausing by the Old Spruce Cabin, or swapping recipes at a neighborhood picnic, you’re part of an ongoing story that began long before the first streets were paved.
Spend a little time here, and you’ll understand why so many call Highland Forest home—and why its history is woven into the very fabric of Waynesville itself.