The History of High Vista in Mills River, NC
The Beginning
On July 5th, 1976, David Robinson and Geary Cordell (brother-in-laws) came up with the idea 
of buying land and building a golf course. A week later, David, Geary and six friends decided to pursue this idea. Within a week they identified a 540 acre plot of land for sale with approximately 125 acres of relatively flat, cleared land with a lake that would accommodate such a golf course. In addition, there was a two story native stone dwelling with a slate roof that could be converted into a clubhouse. An access road from NC Highway 191 led up to the stone dwelling on a knoll. The stone dwelling was built by E.S. Koon years earlier for the purpose of a hunting lodge.
The 8 members of the group decided to use 170 acres for a golf course, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. This left 370 acres of heavily wooded land on the mountain.
On August 25, 1976 the group registered High Vista Country Club, Inc. (HVCC) as a nonprofit corporation with the state of NC. Specifically, the land included Country Club Road, the stone clubhouse and what most folks know as “The Estates.” There were 312 lots originally platted in High Vista Country Club. Geary Cordell took on the task of figuring out how lots and roads were developed on the mountain. 
The concept and development of HVCC was carried out by the original investors, not a company or organization that specializes in land development. As such, the “roads” were not paved. As the owner, HVCC would deed over the individual lots to their new owners.
The first home was built and occupied in late 1979. The first few residents did not have running water in their homes! Luckily the water system was up and running within just a couple of months. HVCC did not want the responsibilities that came with developing a neighborhood, so the High Vista Estates Homeowners Association was incorporated and the Covenants were recorded on February 28, 1983. A number of the Covenants we live with today were established with this document.
High Vista Country Club
The “Old Clubhouse “
The Old Clubhouse was built in 1928 by E.S. Koon. It was built with local stone. It is said that it was used as a hunting lodge. It was sold to William Ford in 1930, then to George and Nona France In 1933. The Frances lived in Ohio and used the property as a part-time home. They purchased several adjacent properties increasing their land to 540 acres. Thomas and Anna Lee Orr bought the property in 1968 and lived in the stone structure until HVCC bought it along with the property.
The Tennis Courts and Swimming Pool
The tennis courts are in their original location. The original swimming pool was next to them along with a parking lot. The current swimming pool location was built at the same time as the new clubhouse.
The Golf Course
From its inception, HVCC was to be private. Tom Jackson from Greenville, SC was chosen to be the golf course architect. He was told to use the best land necessary to design the championship course. The original course was designed to be approximately 7,100 yards long with six lakes and 13 holes that had water hazards.
Construction for the course started in November, 1976. 
The course was scheduled to open in the summer of 1978. But mother nature had other ideas. A big rain fell in the fall of 1977 and caused flooding. The flooding caused a mudslide that destroyed a few holes. Also, an attack on the greens by army worms was experienced. As a result, only 9 holes opened on July Fourth 1978. Soon after, the damaged holes were repaired and HVCC had an 18 hole course.
High Vista Estates
Effective February 28, 1983, approximately 6 ½ years after the purchase of the land, there were two organizations within High Vista. HVEHOA was established. HVCC could concentrate on the golf course while HVEHOA represented the homeowners.
To bring some context to what living in High Vista in 1983 was like, consider the following: The Falls was a dairy farm. 
The community did not have gates at the entrances. The “roads” were not paved. A few residents got their water from natural springs. One of the first things HVEHOA did was an assessment to pave the roads. Slowly other folks bought lots and built their homes. Initially, the side of the mountain that faced the golf course was the preferred by most. It had access to 191 via Country Club Road and was closer to the HVCC and its amenities.
The Falls
Before The Falls, the land was home to a dairy farm. The structure that currently houses the Vista Falls Veterinary Hospital was the farm owner’s home. In the late 1990’s the farm was purchased by K & M Development Resources, Inc.. The company worked with HVCC to redesign holes 10-14. The remaining land was used to build roads and lots around the holes. The old farm house was used as a sales office.
The row of townhouses on N. Mission Hills Court was started by K & M. They went through a couple of builders before being finished by Beverly-Grant. They were first occupied in 2000. They are included in the HVEHOA.