LAKE TOXAWAY HISTORY: WHERE A DREAM BEGAN

The body of water we know as Lake Toxaway did not always
exist. Before 1902, this was a rugged mountain area thick with
forest and no paved roadways to travel. But then, as now,
people dreamed of getting away from it all, to rejuvenate their
health, to renew their spirit. Many found nature to be this
life-enhancing elixir. With that in mind, this remote wilderness
area evolved into the exclusive resort area of Lake Toxaway.

Much of this transformation is attributed to the dream
E. H. Jennings, a Pittsburgh entrepreneur who visited the
area in 1890. A visionary, Jennings founded the Toxaway
Company in 1896 that was responsible for creating several
resorts, among them the Toxaway Inn.

The Toxaway Inn was built on the shore of Lake Toxaway,
the first artificial lake of any size built in the Appalachians.
At three miles long, one mile wide and with a shoreline of 14
miles it was situated at 3,010 feet above sea level. Considering the size of the property to be cleared and the equipment at that time, it was indeed a serious undertaking begun in 1902.

When the Inn opened in 1903, lavish amenities attracted the
wealthy to visit this area and according to local historians,
the Toxaway Inn never had a quiet season during its years
of operation. Famous guests included Henry Ford,
Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison.

One of the guests at the Toxaway Inn who had fallen in love
with the area while on vacation with her husband was
Lucy Camp Armstrong from Savannah. In 1912, when land
became available for sale, she purchased 40 acres. In 1915
her estate, including riding stables and beautiful landscaped gardens, was completed.

Shown on this page and the next are postcards from the
original Toxaway Inn, circa 1910, and photographs of a
turn-of-the-century regatta and Carl and Lucy Moltz during
their travels in Europe.

MORE HISTORY: LUCY'S DREAM