A
description of Reefstone appeared in one of the first Shore Line newsletters in 1973. Editors Betty Hammon and Mary Doll
described it as follows: “... a tucked away set of condominiums in PKS between the Salter Path
Road and the golf course boasts the only fresh water fishing lake around (and
there’s a resident wild goose, too!). ….
Builders have avoided destroying the landscape, and yaupon, cedar, holly, and
water oak are flourishing in the very natural surroundings.”
Map showing in black other
HOAs in 1973, when Reefstone was developed.
C.L. Price, a long-time Carteret County developer,
built Reefstone between 1973 and 1974. He constructed one- and two-story
attached townhomes that fit so naturally into their sound-side setting that
passersby on Salter Path Road could easily miss this subdivision.
Morehead
City Move described Reefstone as follows:
Nestled around a small, freshwater lake, this
townhome community offers relaxing water views. Nine buildings containing a
mixture of both one and two-story townhomes are scattered around the
community.... Towards the front of the subdivision there is a tennis court and
swimming pool with attached clubhouse for residents to enjoy. Many of the homes
have screened-in porches that overlook the water as well.[i]
The nine
buildings contain a total of 36 units.
One section of Reefstone homes
“Community” is an appropriate descriptive for Reefstone. A spirit of
neighborliness is apparent there. For example, working through their homeowner
association, residents united to update common areas, including the grounds and
clubhouse. Walking around Reefstone, I was greeted by friendly residents—Janice
Mills, Nancy Condra and John Read.
I learned that the “freshwater lake” is actually part of a lengthy, windy
lagoon system that extends to the Crystal Coast Country Club. Also on this
lagoon is another development, Bermuda Greens.
Resident Janice Mills said the intention was to extend Reefstone, so
what is now Bermuda Greens was to be part of Reefstone. But that area was left undeveloped until the 1990s. Across the
street is Coral Bay West, which was built soon after Reefstone.
Surrounded
by trees, the units have wood siding and blend well into the natural
environment. The lagoon, like the lagoon at McGinnis Point, has natural banks, welcoming
egrets and other water birds. The Roosevelts would be proud of this area.
Clubhouse
interior
Chairman of the Board of Governors for Reefstone, Inc., Richard Ray, indicated, "Residents also have private access to the ocean via a
boardwalk built by the Reefstone Homeowner Association upon an easement granted
through Coral Bay West."
Association dues include paying for a property manager, a
share of the cost of insurance, property taxes on common areas, property management
fees, exterior building maintenance, cable TV, pest control and water and sewer. Reefstone
is another example of a strong homeowner association governed by covenants and
by laws.
Post Author:
Phyllis Makuck
To contact the author or the History Committee
[i]
https://www.moreheadcitymove.com/subdivision/reefstone-5114