The Owners
Donald & Caroline Naysmith
Donald and Caroline Naysmith are Charlotte residents who have lived, worked, and traveled in Europe. They have a passion for reclaiming and restoring historically significant structures. Their combined experience includes: many years in developing properties including completion of four historic restorations, planning and production of high-end weddings and other special events, organization of international corporate events, and management of multi-million dollar domestic and international projects.
The Naysmiths own and operate Cardon Development LLC, a real estate development and consulting company specializing in historic restoration.
The location and charm of the magnificently restored Alexander Homestead makes it an inviting alternative to traditional Charlotte, NC wedding venues. The century-old integrity of the historic house was carefully maintained during the restoration, and it together with the estate’s recreated dairy barn makes a connection with a bygone era while providing an elegant Victorian setting for weddings and other special events.
For consulting service related inquiries, contact:
Cardon Development, LLC
Donald & Caroline Naysmith, Managers
4717 Shamrock Drive
Charlotte, NC 28215
(704) 910-1967
A Successful History
Caroline Naysmith, a highly motivated results-oriented visionary, was a trailblazer who pioneered the all-inclusive, historic destination, wedding concept. She began in St. Louis, Missouri in 1989 with the purchase and subsequent restoration of the 1857 Larimore Plantation House and Barn. The house is listed on the National Historic Register of Places. Located within a “stone’s throw” of the Mississippi River, she sold her first wedding there in 1993. It wasn’t long afterwards that 120 high-end weddings and receptions for up to 300 guests were produced there annually. Through God’s enablement she had transformed a run-down Italianate plantation house and out-building into a thriving and highly sought after wedding and special event venue.
In 2000, Caroline sought a location in Colorado that would be suitable for a more intimate wedding and reception location. She purchased Rockledge Country Inn, situated on the crest of a hill in Manitou Springs. It was built in 1912 and was the former home of Miles Frank Yount a wealthy Texas executive. Caroline had some restoration and up-fitting work to complete before she could open for business. Rockledge became a successful wedding and special events venue as well as a Five-star Bed and Breakfast.
With Larimore and Rockledge in full-swing, Caroline acquired an 1857 farm house and surrounding land in Washington, Missouri. The site, later named “The Vineyard at Riverbend Chapel”, was located on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. It was perfect for weddings and special events, but much work had to be done. First was completing the restoration of the farm house. Then she undertook construction of a beautiful 14,000 square foot wedding chapel and banquet hall. Caroline put on the finishing touches by creating an impressive water fall feature and installing a spectacular deck right on the edge of the river bluff. The water fall is a picture-perfect place for taking photographs and the deck a dramatic setting for outdoor ceremonies, affording wonderful views of the great Missouri River in the foreground and the Augusta wine country in the distance.
Donald Naysmith, Caroline’s husband, retired early in order for them to work together on the Alexander Homestead project in Charlotte, NC. They bought the severely dilapidated historic landmark situated on 5 beautifully wooded acres in early 2007 and began its restoration later that year. Work was completed in 2008 and included construction of a 2,800 square foot Carriage House just a few steps from the historic residence. The circa 1903 Queen Anne Victorian home was added to the Department of the Interior’s Register of Historic Places in 2008 and the completed project won Historic Charlotte’s Preservation Award that same year.
The Naysmiths reconstructed a “dressed up” Dairy Barn that serves as both wedding chapel and banquet hall. The exterior of this historically based barn resembles the sites original dairy barn that had fallen into ruin long before they purchased the property. The interior is elegantly finished, providing a perfect setting for a new bride and groom to begin their history together.
The site also features a garden gazebo for outdoor ceremonies and a waterfall pond; both picturesque spots for taking pictures.
The businesses in Missouri and Colorado were subsequently transferred to others and all three continue to be well-known and successful wedding venues. Today, the Naysmith’s Alexander Homestead, the only Queen Anne Victorian Historic venue in Charlotte, is operated as a wedding and special events venue.