Centered on Thagard’s Lake, Whispering Pines history began in 1759, when Charles Hurd received a land grant for 100 acres bordering the south side of the lake. In 1859 Nicholas Smith was granted 50 acres on the north side of the lake where he built a dam and mill whish that were later sold to John Ray. During the 1860’s William Thagard moved his family to the property adjacent to the Ray property and formed a community called Thagardsville. Eventually Thagard bought the surrounding property and the lake, which still bears his family name. In 1902 I. F. Chandler, a small factory operator, bought the lake and land in order to build a concrete dam and power plant. The dam was destroyed by a flood in 1927 and the lake abandoned until 1944 when John C. Watson rebuilt the dam. In 1959 A.B. Hardee purchased the lake and 475 acres surrounding it. He established a private residential/ golf course development which he named Whispering Pines. In 1969 Whispering Pines became the first municipality in the state to be officially designated as a village. The quiet charm, golf, lake activities and country club lifestyle of Whispering Pines has much appeal to both young families and retirees.