Saluda Train Tales examines first lodging in town’s history

The coming of the railroad to Saluda is why Saluda is in existence today. After topping the grade, it would take another year before the tracks were laid to Hendersonville. Travelers from the low country of South Carolina, escaping from their marshy plantations to cooler and healthier elevations, would disembark in Saluda and travel by wagon or stages further north. This was enough time for a fledgling mercantile community to grow to accommodate these disembarking travelers and the families who worked on the railroad.

This was the start of Saluda’s tourist industry, and the first hotel, The Mountain House, was established in 1879 by Colonel Andrew Tanner. Colonel Tanner was the overseer of the chain gangs of convicts who worked the road and became Saluda’s first mayor in 1882.

At one time, there were as many as 37 inns, hotels, and boarding homes in Saluda. At the Saluda Train Tales on August 19 at 7 p.m., you will learn about these inns, who started them, and if and how they are still in use today.

Join Greaton Sellers and Charlene Pace as they reveal the stories of the people who built these places to accommodate Saluda’s summer people and railroad workers.

Saluda Train Tales is a free monthly event to educate the community of the importance of Saluda’s railroad history and the Saluda Grade. These events are at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main Street, Saluda.

For more information, please contact Judy Ward at 828-674-5958 or judyward@charter.net or Cathy Jackson at 828-817-2876 or cathy@saludalifestyles.com.

– article submitted by Cathy Jackson