THE HISTORY OF SETTLERS MOUNTAIN
Settlers Mountain is owned and operated by the Kraft Family. The founders Bert and Mildred loved the smoky mountains and vacationed here in the early fifties. They decided to buy a place of their own and discovered this property and purchased it in 1959. The Kraft family worked in the Nursery and Landscape business in Florida and loved the outdoors. They have transferred this love for nature to their Settlers Mountain home.
Bert and Mil Kraft needed a vacation spot for the family that could get them away from the hustle and bustle and the heat and humidity of South Florida summers. When they arrived at Settlers Mountain, only one house and the partial remains of a log cabin were all that was there to greet them.
Being an industrious family, they immediately began cleaning and building. They refurbished and rebuilt the home now known as “The Homestead”. The family then built a home for the grandparents and named it “Sunset Hill” because the view of the sun setting from this spot over the mountain range was so beautiful. Next they restored the Log Cabin which is over 180 years old, adding all the modern conveniences to the interior.
The grandparents enjoyed the summers here on Settler’s Mountain. Each year Kevin and Kurt would take their grandfather to the top of Settlers Mountain by one of them pulling him by his hands and the other pushing him from behind. Each year, Grandfather Kraft would say, “Boys, this will probably be my last year”. This ritual went on for so many years, the boys soon refused to believe him. The Kraft's have some wonderful memories of Settlers Mountain which they cherish while making new memories with Bert and Mil's grandchildren.
As time went on, the family kept building. Next came the home they named “Grinders Switch” and then a larger home, “The Pinery”. After that, Bert and Mil moved into a new home with such a spectacular view that they named it “Viewpoint”. Finally, Bert wanted a place that had fewer stairs so he added on to “Etta’s house” at the bottom of the Settlers Mountain and made it a place for him and Mil to live. Unfortunately Mil passed away before she could share the home with him in 2002. A few years later another Millie came along and they shared the home together for many more years. Bert passed away in 2016 and left his four children, Karen, Kurt, Kevin and Katherine, to carry on the traditions of Settlers Mountain.
As you can see the Kraft family has created many wonderful memories and they want that for you too. In order to accomplish this, the Krafts decided to share their mountain with others who needed a quiet retreat.... and that's how Settlers Mountain began!
From the moment you arrive, you will know that you will be able to relax here, and when you get the urge to see the sights or experience an exciting adventure, you'll find that you are headquartered in the center of one of the most popular vacation spots in the world!
