William Alexander Smith

William Alexander Smith. Founder of Laurel Park. After being admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1876, W.A. Smith (1853-1922) settled in Hendersonville establishing a successful law practice. Among his lifetime achievements were mayor, alderman, city attorney, county attorney, banker, and director of the Toxaway Railroad. , Toward the end of the 19th Century, a new railroad line from Charleston ended in the small mountain town of Hendersonville with its cool summer climate, thus spawning visitors eager for a reprieve from the South's stifling heat. Realizing a need to create recreation for these visitors, W.A. Smith purchased over 250 acres of land on Echo Mountain west of Hendersonville and gradually turned it into “The most beautiful nature park in America”, calling it Laurel Park. , Mr. Smith's initial vision for Laurel Park was to create a countryside recreational journey by establishing nature trails centered around Crystal Spring. He then built the “Casino” at Rainbow Lake for entertainment and the “Dummy Line Railroad” to make the excursion easier. To accommodate more visitors, Mr. Smith added “Rhododendron Lake” and the “Swiss Railway”. , In 1911, Mr. Smith built his family home on this site overlooking his handiwork, calling it “Holly Hill.”