The Grand Olde Station: The Front Desk of Lake Toxaway

Welcome to Lake Toxaway’s Living History at The Grand Olde Station

Long before a train whistle echoed through these mountains, the Cherokee called this land “ta ha wey,” meaning “land of the red bird.” Nestled in the Blue Ridge, this fertile valley would eventually capture the imagination of visionaries seeking to create a Southern mountain retreat unlike any other.

In the early 1900s, the Toxaway Company began an ambitious plan: to attract travelers from across the nation to a new luxury destination. By 1903, their dream materialized in two monumental projects. The first was the construction of a massive earthen dam, which gave rise to Lake Toxaway, a sparkling, man-made lake stretching seven miles, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. The second was the extension of the Lake Toxaway Railroad, bringing well-heeled visitors directly into the heart of this wilderness.

A Legendary Depot & Gilded Age Retreat

At the end of the line stood the Toxaway Depot, the original “front desk” of Lake Toxaway. Here, four trains a day would arrive, delivering guests bound for the grand Toxaway Inn. The depot welcomed America’s elite—families like the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Fords, alongside luminaries such as Thomas Edison—who came to bask in the cool mountain air, pristine waters, and refined elegance of the inn.

For a time, Lake Toxaway thrived as the “Switzerland of America,” with boating, fishing, hiking, and fine dining drawing visitors seeking respite from the summer heat. But this golden chapter ended abruptly in 1916, when torrential rains caused the dam to collapse.

Although the flood of 1916 drained the lake and closed the Toxaway Inn, the community itself never vanished. Local families continued to farm and live in the valley, and the old depot remained a quiet landmark. It wasn’t until the 1960s that a group of investors rediscovered the area’s potential. They rebuilt the dam, restored Lake Toxaway to its original grandeur, and began offering private home sites and club amenities. By the 1970s, Lake Toxaway had transformed into a premier residential community, marking a new chapter in its storied history.

The Grand Olde Station: History Reimagined

Fast forward a century, and history has found new life. The very depot that once served as the gateway to Lake Toxaway has been reborn as The Grand Olde Station. In 2021, John Nichols restored and reimagined this historic landmark, transforming it into a gathering place that honors the region’s storied past.

Today, The Grand Olde Station is more than a restaurant; it is a living museum. A vintage caboose stands proudly on the grounds, a reminder of the depot’s railroad roots. Wooden boats recall the lake’s early days, when leisure and adventure mingled on its waters.

More Than a Meal

Dining here is a journey into history. Surrounded by relics of Lake Toxaway’s past, guests enjoy Southern-inspired dishes with a modern flair, a nod to both tradition and innovation. It is a place where stories live.

The Grand Olde Station stands once again as the “front desk” of Lake Toxaway: a welcoming hub where locals and visitors gather, history is remembered, and community thrives.

Come for the food. Stay for the story.