Plateau Magazine June-July 2023

house had a resurgence,” she adds, specifically noting how much
she loves the original metal-framed windows. Beth began coming
to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau at 12 years old, after her parents
built a house in High Hampton. For such a common building
material, it may seem odd that anyone would have such strong
opinions about a brick home, but at the time, new homes rarely
used brick in Cashiers–and especially High Hampton–with most
homes having an aesthetic that would more seamlessly blend in
with the woodland atmosphere.
Further contributing to the home’s rather quirky reputation
was the part-time resident who commissioned the home in the
first place: a Florida cattle farmer and citrus grove owner by the
name of Mary Keene, a philanthropist–and a bit of an enigma,
too. “She had an impact here,” says Ann McKee Austin, co-owner
of McKee Properties and a local legend herself. “I understand she
had a private plane, which was unusual for anyone up here at
that time. She'd fly back and forth to Florida in that plane.” While
Mrs. Keene split her time between the Sunshine State and Appalachia,
her generosity and contributions can still be felt around
the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. “She was a strong supporter of
the Hampton Learning Center, which later evolved into Summit
Charter School,” says Ann.
As controversial as the brick ranch might have been when it
was newly built, it did not stop Mrs. Keene from finding her place
within the community. Ann McKee Austin recalls carefree childhood
summers at the property when horseback riding lessons at
High Hampton would culminate in the lush meadow right outside
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the Keene home in a large riding ring where kids would practice
jumps. But the equestrian fun didn’t stop there. Gymkhanas,
an event of horseback races and games, were routinely held on
Sunday afternoons in the same meadow. “There would be a kind
of family tailgate atmosphere, and lots of games on horseback
with prizes,” says Ann, who recalled a couple of games involving
whistling with saltine crackers and riding with an egg on a spoon
while trying not to drop it.
PHOTO JOHNNY KRAWCHECK