John Hutcheson's Happy Valley farm has been home to cattle and horses during the past century, but the historic Rossville property is taking on a new future as home to the newest assisted living center in Northwest Georgia.
Officials with Morning Pointe Senior Living, the Ooltewah-based developer of assisted living centers across the South, cut the ribbon Tuesday to officially open the 82-unit Happy Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care facility. The $14 million facility also will anchor a new residential development being built by RP Homes on part of the former Hutcheson farm sandwiched between Ridgeland High School and Rossville Middle School.
"This site is rich with history and stories, but today (we) are taking on a new story for the future of Happy Valley," Morning Point President Greg Vital said during a grand opening celebration at the 67,000-square-foot facility, which began housing residents last month.
The new facility is the 38th Morning Pointe facility to open, and Vital, who is also a Republican Tennessee state lawmaker representing the Harrison area, said the company is preparing to add at least two more locations next year. In the Greater Chattanooga area, Morning Pointe operates assisted living and memory care communities in East Brainerd, Collegedale, Ooltewah, Hixson and Athens.
(READ MORE: Morning Pointe breaks ground on 40th unit in Knoxville)
Located at 2989 Happy Valley Road in Rossville, Morning Pointe's newest location includes 58 assisted living apartments and 24 memory care apartments specially designed for residents with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss. Residents began moving into the center Nov. 24.
Pam Turley, executive director for the center, said she expects to have about 20 residents by the end of the month and many more in 2024.
(READ MORE: $55 million assisted living center planned in East Brainerd)
Vital said he purchased the former Hutcheson farm in 2020 after the death the previous year of Marion "Bit" Hutcheson, the youngest daughter of the industrialist and philanthropist John L. Hutcheson Jr.
John Hutcheson established Peerless Woolen Mills in 1905, the same year the city of Rossville was incorporated, and he built the textile mill into the largest mill for wool products in the nation with more than 3,000 employees by the start of World War II.
In 1935, Hutcheson bought and developed Happy Valley Farms, including an 8,000-square-foot mansion. The farm was first used for Hutcheson's award-winning cattle, which produced milk promoted across the region with Happy Valley milk cartons. Hutcheson later transitioned the property to focus on horses when his daughter, Bit, got interested in horse riding and went on to win several World's Champion of Champions amateur titles. Hutcheson's farm was used for much of its history as a home to breeders and trainers of American saddlebred horses.
To help celebrate the historic site, the new assisted living center is adorned with photos celebrating the history of Walker County, as well as the Happy Valley farm and its legacy, Vital said.
"When I first visited parts of this farm, I knew that there was a vision for something special, and I think we have accomplished that in many ways," Vital said.
(READ MORE: 2013 fire kills 35 saddlebred horses)
Vital sold off the former Hutcheson mansion and other parts of the farm, but he continues to own much of the 300-acre property. While some of the land will be preserved, other property along Happy Valley Road is being developed.
Walker County Commission Chair Shannon Walker said the new Morning Pointe facility "is a fantastic addition to our county" to help aging seniors in Walker County be able to stay closer to home when they need to stay in assisted living facilities.
Rachelle Haddock moved her mother into the new Happy Valley Morning Pointe assisted living center, which is just across the street from Ridgeland High School, where her mother once taught and her father helped build in 1989 with the merger of the former Chattanooga Valley High School and Rossville High School.
"I even learned to drive in the Ridgeland High School parking lot on Sunday afternoons when no one was around. My daddy took me out to learn how to park and drive and all that other good stuff," Haddock said during Tuesday's ribbon-cutting. "As we move my mom into this facility, the folks here have worked tirelessly to make sure we have the best care."
(READ MORE: Morning Pointe marks its 25th anniversary)
To celebrate the grand opening, Vital presented a $10,000 check to Karen Hughes, principal of Ridgeland High School, to help with school facilities and programs.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340.