Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Tweetsie Railroad

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

1. Tweetsie Railroad Marker

Inscription. The signature attraction of Tweetsie Railroad is narrow-gauge steam locomotive No. 12, built in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia for the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC). From 1918 to 1940, the ET&WNC – which local residents nicknamed “Tweetsie” – ran freight and passenger service between Johnson City, TN and Boone, NC.

After the demise of the ET&WNC in 1950, all the narrow-gauge locomotives were scrapped except for locomotive No. 12. Movie star and composer Gene Autry purchased the locomotive and train cars in 1955, with the intention of shipping them to California. However, entrepreneur Grover Robbins Jr., a native of Blowing Rock, was determined that the train should return to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Robbins was able to acquire the rights from Autry, and in 1956 the No. 12 locomotive was fully restored and brought back to Grover Robbins' hometown. “Tweetsie Railroad” opened in July 1957 as a scenic railroad. In a short time, it evolved into North Carolina's first theme park.

Locomotive No. 12 is now part of the National Historic Register, and the Tweetsie Railroad theme park is still operated today by the Robbins family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas

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• Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1957.

Location. 36° 7.928′ N, 81° 40.71′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. Marker is at the intersection of Laurel Lane and Main Street (Business U.S. 321), on the right when traveling east on Laurel Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show (here, next to this marker); Main Street Through the Years (a few steps from this marker); Mayview Manor Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Appalachian Ski Mountain (a few steps from this marker); Blowing Rock's History (a few steps from this marker); Yonahlossee Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Sonny's Grill (within shouting distance of this marker); Martin House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blowing Rock.

Also see . . . North Carolina SP East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Locomotive No. 12 (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the locomotive, which was listed in 1992. (National Archives) (Submitted on November 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

2. Tweetsie Railroad Marker

Featured marker is on the left stone pillar.

East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Locomotive No. 12 image. Click for full size.

ET&WNC12 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), July 20, 2018

3. East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Locomotive No. 12

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.