The Early Beginnings of Lake Toxaway

Lake Toxaway, now known for its serene waters and mountain charm, has origins steeped in ambition, luxury, and dramatic change. To understand the place it is today, we begin at its very start, when Lake Toxaway was first imagined and built.

The Early Beginnings of Lake Toxaway.

Before there was a lake, there were mountain streams and forests crisscrossed by creeks that flowed toward the Toxaway River. In the early 1900s, developers and visionaries saw the potential for a grand lake community tucked into the highlands of western North Carolina. In 1903, the Toxaway Inn opened as a luxury hotel built to attract visitors seeking mountain escape and refinement. Early guests included notable figures such as Thomas Edison, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry Ford, and J.P. Morgan. (Source: Historic Toxaway / Historic Toxaway timeline info)

Lake Toxaway History and the Dam

The history of Lake Toxaway goes back further than the Toxaway flood of 1916. To support the inn and resort life, a dam was built, creating one of the most ambitious private lakes in Appalachia. Lake Toxaway was, in many ways, born of human engineering rather than a natural reservoir. It was a bold move: to turn a rugged mountain valley into a resort destination with all the comforts of high society.

A Tragic Turn: The Toxaway Flood of 1916

That early optimism met its greatest test in 1916, when heavy rains triggered the dam’s failure. The flood ripped through the valley, washing away infrastructure and homes and reshaping the terrain downstream. It is said that you could hear the water draining from the lake all the way into Brevard. The lake drained into a muddy valley, turning what had been an elegant retreat into a devastated landscape. For decades, the area lay dormant, the dreams of those early developers washed away with the waters.

Revival & Legacy

Though the original structures and resort life were lost to time, the spirit of Lake Toxaway endured. In the mid-20th century, efforts began to restore the lake, rebuild roads and homes, and reimagine the community. Today, the lake is refilled, properties rebuilt, and the region once again thrives with nature, tourism, and historical remembrance.

At The Grand Olde Station, we see ourselves as part of that legacy. Our location, design, and spirit aim to preserve elements of that early era, the romance of railroads, historic charm, and storytelling through place. Our caboose, antique décor, and dedication to preserving memory are ways of honoring the layers of history that shaped Toxaway.

A Note of Gratitude

This blog post wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work and dedication of the Historic Toxaway Foundation. Their commitment to preserving and sharing the history of Lake Toxaway and the surrounding region ensures that the stories of this beautiful community continue to be told for generations to come.