From General Store to Grand Olde Station

The Heart of Lake Toxaway: The Legacy of McNeely’s Country Store

Before it was a destination for modern cuisine and mountain views, the building we now know as Grand Olde Station was the literal "front desk" of Lake Toxaway. For decades, it wasn't just a place to eat, it was the place to be.

The Railroad Roots

Long before the McNeely family took over, the site served as the Toxaway Railroad Depot (circa 1902). It was the gateway for elite travelers arriving to stay at the legendary five-story Toxaway Inn. When the railroad era slowed down, the building’s purpose shifted, but its role as a community hub remained.

The McNeely Era (1949–1974)

In 1949, Beulah and Walter McNeely Sr. moved their business into the old depot, creating McNeely’s Country Store. The patriarch of the family, C.R. McNeely, was a local legend, an electrician who helped wire the original Toxaway Inn and famously built his first store using leftover materials from the Inn itself.

For 25 years, the store provided everything from food staples to conversation. It was a place where locals and summer guests mingled, and where Beulah McNeely lived in the apartment upstairs until 1979.

Preserving the Past

Today, the Grand Olde Station has transformed the space into a "culinary shrine" to this rich history. When you visit, you aren’t just dining; you’re surrounded by:

• The 1900s Caboose: A nod to the original depot days.

• Local Historic Artifacts: The walls are lined with a collection of old photos and antiques.

  
  

Next time you grab a seat at a table or the bar, take a look at the vintage photos on the wall. You’re sitting in a piece of North Carolina history that has survived floods, fires, and the changing tides of time.