BY ALICE THOMAS

Special to The Pilot

The Friends of Southern Pines Public Library are once again offering a collectible ornament, the ninth in the series recognizing local architectural landmarks.

The 2010 edition depicts Pine Knoll. The 24K gold-finished ornament is a three-dimensional representation of the Jacobean Tudor landmark formerly known as the Pine Needles Inn and Golf Course.

By the early 1900s the Sandhills had become a popular vacation destination. In 1922 Richard Tufts, the grandson of Pinehurst's original developer, purchased 6,000 acres for a hotel and golf complex in Southern Pines. The Pine Needles Inn and Golf Course welcomed its first guests in 1928.

Pine Needles declared bankruptcy in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression. It reopened to the public in 1935, and in 1942 also housed the U.S. Army's Technical Training Command, hosting such notables as the famous big band leader Glenn Miller.

After World War II Pine Needles was sold to the Diocese of Raleigh. On July 1, 1948, 13 patients were admitted to St. Joseph of the Pines Hospital, beginning a new era for the building. In 1953, the Diocese of Raleigh sold the golf course to the Cosgrove and Bell families, retaining the building.

After 20 years of providing acute care, St. Joseph of the Pines shifted its mission to long-term care in 1968. The building continued to provide skilled services to seniors through 1996, when the last resident was transferred to the St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center on Camp Easter Road.

In an effort to restore the building to its former elegance, St. Joseph of the Pines renovated it to continue to accommodate the senior living needs of more residents in our community. The building was renamed Pine Knoll.

Only 250 copies of the Pine Knoll ornament are being produced. The ornament shipment is scheduled to arrive Friday, Dec. 10, at Southern Pines Public Library and will be available for purchase at $25 each.

There is a limited supply of previous year issues available at a reduced cost of $10 each: Book Shop Row on Broad Street (2003), Weymouth Center (2004), Shaw House (2005), Southern Pines Library (2006), Civic Club (2007), Sunrise Theater (2008) and Dempsey Student Center (2009). The 2002 Historic Train Station was sold out. An undated reissue is available at $20, while supplies last.

"These ornaments are true collectibles, and they make wonderful holiday gifts," said Lynn Thompson, director of library and information technology services.

All proceeds from the ornament project are used to fund the many programs of the Friends of the Southern Pines Library.