| The Lake Toxaway community is the first place I
remember living. I lived on the farm where my mother grew
up from the time I was four until I was eight. My uncles
were employed by the timber industry; and since my
grandmother lived with us, the house was usually filled
with cousins, aunts and uncles. Our homestead backs up to
Pisgah National Forest. My ancestors once owned the mountain
behind our farm until they sold it to George Vanderbilt. All the
Vanderbilt property in the area later became Pisgah National
Forest.
The history of Toxaway is a romantic one with its ups and downs. I remember Daddy taking us to Toxaway Falls to see Robert Mitchum filming Thunder Road. Hard to imagine Hollywood so near my mountain cove. My mother's ancestors started acquiring land in the Upper French Broad River area in the 1820s. Since land was readily available at that time, I believe that the property we still own was exactly where they wanted to be. They had come into the Sylvan Valley of what is now North Carolina in 1803. Interestly enough, during that period, the beautiful Sylvan Valley area was claimed by both Georgia and North Carolina. The area had been a part of South Carolina at one time, but SC no longer wanted it. The dispute between GA and NC was settled in 1811 when their respective militias met near present day Brevard. This was known as the "Walton War." In 1971 Georgia once again considered making a claim on the land. NC responded by telling them to, once again, send their militia. GA declined. Residents from Georgia continue to come to our mountains for the cool summers and our slower, less stressful pace. Lake Toxaway became a world famous resort in 1903. Built by J. Frances Hayes and the Toxaway Company, it was known as "The Switzerland of America." The opening of the Toxaway Inn was advertised only for millionaires in the New York and Philadelphia newspapers. One thing was certain: only those people with more money than time in which to spend it could afford to stay at the Inn. In July, 1916, severe floods swelled the streams and creeks; and the lake and dam where filled to capacity. On August 14th (at 7:10 PM) heavy rains created so much pressure on the earthen dam that it broke, spelling the end of the luxurious resort until the 1960s. In 1961 the silence was broken by the heavy earth-moving equipment and the felling of trees. Watching the dam being built and then filling a second time with water brought excitement to the people of Transylvania County. Houses soon began to dot the 14-mile shoreline. Now there are only a few vacant lots left. Having no hydroelectric power on the lake to effect the water level, the abundant supply of water has kept the lake consistently full, even during periods of drought. Lake Toxaway is the largest private lake built in the Appalachian mountains in North Carolina. It is 3 miles long and one mile wide with over 640 acres of clear, drinkable mountain water originating from the many mountain springs and waterfalls surrounding the lake. The depth at its deepest is 60 feet. The elevation is 3,010 feet. This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. Lush, green lawns surrounded by spectacular mountains, each one with a name, make this the perfect retreat from the cities. Pontoon boats cruise the waters while families play golf, tennis, or just read a book on the sprawling porches. According to newspaper reports, the highest-priced residential sale in Western North Carolina to date was closed in Lake Toxaway Estates in January, 2002. From Lake Toxaway to Highlands and beyond more and more of our homes are over a million dollars. Large land tracts are hard to come by and command a handsome price. For a Time Line with a
personal touch |
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