Laurel Park in Henderson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rhododendron Lake
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024
1. Rhododendron Lake Marker
Inscription.
Rhododendron Lake. . W.A. Smith's evolving vision of Laurel Park included the construction of the 10-acre Rhododendron Lake and beach in 1909. A 30-foot high earthen dam was constructed blocking the stream running down the Cascades from the Reservoir. In addition, The Canal was built to connect with Rainbow Lake. The steam driven Dummy Line railroad was converted to the electric operated Laurel Park Street Railway with an extension from nearby Crystal Spring to Rhododendron Lake. These grand improvements made Laurel Park an extraordinary recreation area, giving visitors and residents of Hendersonville a location for swimming and boating, as well as dining and entertainment at the adjacent Laurel Park Pavilion. In the early 1980's, the earthen dam was deemed unsafe and removed. In 2009, the Town completed the purchase of the lakebed property to restore the natural flow of the stream and to create a nature park now called Rhododendron Lake Park.
W.A. Smith's evolving vision of Laurel Park included the
construction of the 10-acre Rhododendron Lake and beach in
1909. A 30-foot high earthen dam was constructed blocking
the stream running down the Cascades from the Reservoir.
In addition, The Canal was built to connect with Rainbow
Lake. The steam driven Dummy Line railroad was converted
to the electric operated Laurel Park Street Railway with an
extension from nearby Crystal Spring to Rhododendron
Lake. These grand improvements made Laurel Park an
extraordinary recreation area, giving visitors and residents
of Hendersonville a location for swimming and boating, as
well as dining and entertainment at the adjacent Laurel
Park Pavilion. In the early 1980's, the earthen dam was
deemed unsafe and removed. In 2009, the Town completed
the purchase of the lakebed property to restore the natural
flow of the stream and to create a nature park now called
Rhododendron Lake Park.
Location. 35° 18.653′ N, 82° 29.256′ W. Marker is in Laurel Park, North Carolina, in Henderson County
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. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Drive and Rustic Drive, on the right when traveling north on Lake Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Lake Dr, Hendersonville NC 28739, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024
2. Rhododendron Lake Marker
from Everywoman's Magazine via NC Digital Collections (Public Domain), May 1919
3. Rhododendron Lake
from Everywoman's Magazine via NC Digital Collections (Public Domain), May 1919
4. Rhododendron Lake
from Everywoman's Magazine via NC Digital Collections (Public Domain), May 1919
5. Rhododendron Lake
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
