Originally built 1837, and reconstructed in 1912 by Mr.
Joseph Kirkland Singeltary, one of the early developers
in Laurel Park. The Robinson family has owned the
house and surrounding property since 1932. The house
is characteristic of mountain . . . — — Map (db m240982) HM
In 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression, the U.S. Congress
passed the Emergency Conservation Work Act forming the Civilian
Conservation Corp (CCC). The resolution organized and employed
unmarried young men, ages 18-25, to battle . . . — — Map (db m240987) HM
In the 1890's W.A. Smith began the development of
Laurel Park as a recreational area with Crystal Spring
as the focal point. Visitors came here for many years to
picnic and drink the clear, cold water from this well
known spring. A latticed shed . . . — — Map (db m240988) HM
This stone structure, on the crest of Echo Mountain, was originally built
as a summer residence for John H. Patterson of Jacksonville, Florida. It
was purchased in 1925 by Dr. & Mrs. Charles DeGarmo of Coconut
Grove. Due to the financial . . . — — Map (db m240986) HM
Pre-1800's habitat adapted to a 10-acre recreational lake in 1909 reverting to a nature park in 2018
In 1909, W.A. Smith, the founder of Laurel Park, built an earthen dam on the north end of this valley converting a native forest into a . . . — — Map (db m240976) HM
In the mid 1800's, the family of Josiah Davis settled on
Jump Off Mountain. Shortly thereafter Josiah, his wife,
and his son, J.M. (Mountain Man) Davis, used dynamite
and an oxen pulled sled to begin building the road known
today as Davis . . . — — Map (db m240985) HM
In 1888 approval was given for a bond issue, Hendersonville's first, to build a reservoir for a supply of pure water to Main Street. The reservoir, fed by pristine springs in Laurel Park, is nearby. The outflow from this reservoir travels under . . . — — Map (db m240981) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m240980) HM
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, . . . — — Map (db m240977) HM
Nearby was the site of the Fleetwood
Hotel, a 14-story edifice begun in
1925 and never completed. A
grandiose dream and victim of
the severe real estate downturn
that began in 1926, the steel
skeleton's ghostly frame stood for
a number of . . . — — Map (db m240983) HM
In 1909 “The Canal” was begun by W.A. Smith to connect the new Rhododendron Lake and the existing Rainbow Lake. The canal allowed visitors to Laurel Park to take excursions between the two lakes on gondola type boats. This section of the park . . . — — Map (db m169638) HM
W.A. Smith's improvements to the Park and Amusement Grounds started in
1907 with the construction of a 5,000 square foot modern roller skating rink.
The building's foundation, erected above water level on 8-foot piers, provided
boat houses, . . . — — Map (db m240973) HM
In 1903 W.A. Smith obtained a charter for a railroad to transport folks out to
Laurel Park and in 1905 started laying tracks from Main Street out Broad Street
(now 5th Avenue) and then purchased a steam powered locomotive and passenger
car. The . . . — — Map (db m240971) HM
Nearly 300 years ago the Cherokee Indians would gather each summer at Kanasta,
now known as Connestee. While the braves were busy shaping their war axes
making ready to fight other Indian tribes, one young Cherokee Chieftain found time
to roam . . . — — Map (db m240984) HM
With support of the Hendersonville Board of Trade, the Park and Amusement
Grounds were established in 1903 with the construction of a baseball field,
grandstand, and a 2-story clubhouse to “provide entertainment, interest, and
amusement for the . . . — — Map (db m240972) HM
The granite foundations of Jump Off and Echo Mountains in
Laurel Park conceivably predate the Appalachian Orogeny
hundreds of million years ago. Massive sections of this bedrock
are visible today, breaking the surface at Jump Off Rock, . . . — — Map (db m240978) HM
Originally built as a clubhouse for the Fairgrounds and Baseball Field, in 1907
W.A. Smith had architect Erle Stillwell prepare remodeling plans “to convert the
building into a modern family hotel.” The lobby of the renovated 20-room hotel
had a . . . — — Map (db m240974) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m240979) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m240975) HM
