The property that is now home to Cloudbreak Cabins was once the Blackard Homeplace. At the
foot of the hill below the cabins there are remains of a chimney and foundation of the William and
Susannah Blackard cabin built prior to the Civil War. William was drafted into the Civil War leaving
behind a pregnant wife and several small children. He quickly fell ill with “disease” and died shortly
after leaving home.

One of the sons of the family, Willoughby, became the man of the house
and ultimately the owner of the property. The cabin to the left of the entrance is the
“Willoughby” named in his honor. The other cabin to the right is “Susannah” named for the
youngest child in the family born just 12 days before her father’s death.

William died in Richmond, VA, April 27, 1862. Susannah was born April 15, 1862 and died on September 9, 1940. The property passed through a couple more hands before being purchased by Avery Webb in the late 1940’s. Avery’s son Jerry and grandson Stacy are the proud builders of Cloudbreak Cabins. Susannah Blackard was Stacy’s great-great Grandmother.

- Connie Harris Webb