INFLUX stories cover the late 1800s – early 1900s when industrialization ushered in dramatic changes to Transylvania County, including the twin booms of tourism and timber that were driven by the arrival of the railroad.

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The Legend of Bearwallow Falls

Ever wondered what a bear wallow is, or why a creek and falls in our area have that name? We've got the story — well, at least, the legend — here.
Original Scadin Home in Sapphire
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A 1900s Transylvania County Home: R.H. Scadin

R.H. Scadin constructed this home in Sapphire with help from neighbors. It is representative of the building materials and layout of 1900s-era homes.
damburst-400x400
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The Lake Toxaway Dam Burst

The torrential rains of the summer of 1916 proved to be too much for the Lake Toxaway dam. When it failed, it sent 5B gallons of water over the falls toward the South Carolina border.
Turn of the century wedding
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Financial Foibles in the Sapphire Country

For a number of financial reasons, the resorts in the Sapphire Country changed management leases frequently in the years following the opening of the Toxaway Inn.
Toxaway depot
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Early Success At The Toxaway Inn

With early success, the Toxaway Company investments in the Sapphire Country resorts seemed well-founded. The region—and specifically the Toxaway Inn— was “the” place to see and be seen!
Toxaway Inn
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Opening Day at the Toxaway Inn

Finally — the grand Toxaway Inn opens in the beautiful Sapphire Country, and it's all that the guests of the Toxaway Company could hope for.
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The Building of Lake Toxaway and the Toxaway Inn

To great accolades, and despite obstacles, the enormous Toxaway Inn project was complete enough to open toward the late part of the 1903 summer season. 
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The Franklin Hotel: Gateway to the Sapphire Country

The Franklin Hotel was built in Brevard by the Toxaway Company as a gateway stop for their guests to the Sapphire Country, and in repayment to Brevardians for investment help to build a railway between the two.
The Lodge at Mount Toxaway
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The Lodge at Mount Toxaway: Then & Now

The Lodge at Mount Toxaway is no more - replaced by an unmanned fire lookout tower - but you can read about its resort heyday here.
Sapphire Lake
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The Sapphire Inn & Cottages: Then & Now

Sapphire Inn and Cottages were built in 1897 on Lake Sapphire by the Toxaway Company and enjoyed a decade of lively operation. Unfortunately a fire in the summer of 1906 destroyed the inn.