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

Park Heights Tower

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

1. Park Heights Tower Marker

Inscription. Early in W.A. Smith's crafting of Laurel Park, a sightseer could trek up Echo Mountain to an observation tower just above Crystal Spring. At 2600 feet above sea-level, Park Heights Tower offered an unobstructed panoramic birds-eye view of the Hendersonville valley and beyond. The tallest mountain east of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell was a favorite view through the four-foot long “looking glass.” The addition of the Swiss Railway's upper terminus in 1905 made it an even more popular destination for visitors to Laurel Park. Electric lights were added to outline the structure, making the tower a beacon from downtown Hendersonville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 35° 18.664′ N, 82° 29.611′ W. Marker is in Laurel Park, North Carolina, in Henderson County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains and in Greater Asheville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

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

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(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. Park Heights Tower Marker

Featured marker is on the right.

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 511 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.