History of The Arbogast House
The house was built in 1902 for Ed Arbogast, a livestock dealer, lumberman, political leader, and sheriff of Highland County. Active in the community, Ed and Margaret Arbogast entertained often in the parlor that includes the original 1902 Lester upright grand piano. The foyer, stairway, and upper hall are all richly paneled in oak and walnut. The barn, at the rear of the property, is one of the oldest buildings in town.
Named for its high altitude and boasting one of the smallest populations east of the Mississippi River, Highland County is nicknamed Virginias Little Switzerland. Although settlers began arriving in the area as early as 1745, Highland County was not officially formed until 1847. Portions were carved from neighboring Bath and Pendleton Counties to create the new county of Highland. The isolation of the area required great perseverance and commitment from the early German and Scotch Irish settlers, but in many ways, it gave the area its identity and character. Highland County has a rich tradition of both strong individualism and community spirit.
Highland County is the nation’s southernmost producer of maple syrup, an industry celebrated each spring at the Highland Maple Festival. The Festival has been an annual event in Highland County since 1958. During the second and third weeks in March, the conditions of freezing nights and warm, sunny days put the sugar camps at peak performance, tapping trees and boiling the watery sap until it is reduced to sweet syrup.