Laurel Park in Henderson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Swiss Railway

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

1. The Swiss Railway Marker

Inscription. In 1909 Laurel Park's founder, W.A. Smith, constructed another attraction in his nature park, called the Swiss Railway. This incline railway consisted of two tram like vehicles on parallel tracks ascending the mountain at a junction of the Dummy Line near Crystal Spring. Customers were charged a minimal amount to go up the steep slope of the mountain through thickets of Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. Riders emerged another 200 feet in elevation at the nearly 40-foot tall Park Heights Tower. Folks enjoyed the ride up, but the steep slope made the ride down more novel and interesting.

Erected 2015 by Laurel Park Civic Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 35° 18.664′ N, 82° 29.611′ W. Marker is in Laurel Park, North Carolina, in Henderson County. Marker is on Smith Drive south of Upper Laurel Drive when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 Smith Dr, Hendersonville NC 28739, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Park Heights Tower (here, next to this marker); Original Water Reservoir and the Cascades (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crystal Spring

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(about 500 feet away); The Quarry Tract (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Alexander Smith (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Woodlawn” (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rhododendron Lake (approx. 0.3 miles away); History & Restoration (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel Park.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

2. The Swiss Railway Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

The Swiss Railway image. Click for full size.

via "Greetings from the Past" blog (Public Domain)

3. The Swiss Railway

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 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on February 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.