Area History

In 1890, E.H. Jennings came to Transylvania County, North Carolina from Pennsylvania and established several businesses, one of which was the Toxaway Company. Jennings was responsible for filling what is now Lake Toxaway through the construction of an earthen dam 500' l x 60' h x 20' w - creating the first man made lake in the Appalachian Mountains. This area became known as the "Switzerland of America" and encompassed several luxurious resorts also created by Jennings, such as the Fairfield Inn, The Sapphire Inn, the Lodge, the Franklin Hotel and the Toxaway Inn.

The Southern Railway developed a new railroad which ran through Asheville, NC and boasted the steepest rail system in the US. The arrival of this railroad coincided with both the creation of the Lake and the opening of the Toxaway Inn (in 1903) and was critical to the development of the resorts. Both the Lake and the Inn were magnificent achievements for their time.

Our History

In the early 1900's, The Lodge was part of the Toxaway Systems of Hotels.  Built at the summit of Toxaway Mountain, where Preserve at Rock Creek now exists, it served multiple functions. During the school year, it was a "Nature Kindergarten",  where children in the area learned about the environment and native animals. When school was not in session, The Lodge provided lodging for hunting and recreation activities enjoyed by prominent industrialists from the north.  Among the most famous guests were the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Edisons, and Fords.