Did You Know?
The Blue Ridge Parkway remains the most intact example of pre- and post-World War II automotive rural parkway design. Photo from NPS Archives
"Downtown" Little Switzerland Present Day Photo by Mike Queen and Family of Reid Queen
Location
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Switzerland Cafe/Switzerland General Store
Little Switzerland, North Carolina
828.765.5289
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http://www.littleswitzerlandnc.com
Near milepost 334
Situated on the Blue Ridge Parkway and towering 700 feet above the mountain towns of Marion and Spruce Pine, the Village of Little Switzerland has become a favorite summer resort destination since its founding in the early 20th century. Located atop Grassy Mountain, the original 1,100 acres got its name because it resembled the sweeping panoramas of the deep valleys and distance ranges of the foothills of the Swiss Jura Mountains. Eight free-flowing springs supplied water for the town, which soon boasted a post office, general store, and two working mines. Today, the Village offers three hotels, four restaurants, two pubs, a mining village, two waterfalls, and over 300 homes. Whatever your pleasure – hiking, shopping, or simply relaxing – you are sure to find your muse in Little Switzerland, where European charm meets Appalachian comfort.
Founded in 1909 by Judge Heriot Clarkson, the establishment of Little Switzerland predates the Blue Ridge Parkway. This hasn’t precluded it from having a strong and somewhat dramatic history with the road. Judge Clarkson lobbied and was ultimately successful to have the parkway built near the Village. To add to the appeal, Clarkson built a 40-foot tower on top of Grassy Mountain, which he named Kilmichael Tower, so visitors could enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view all the way to the Piedmont of South Carolina. While parkway construction was underway, the CCC camped in the basement of the general store, where locals would buy their license plates, moonshine, apothecaries, and more while picking up their mail. Even today, the Switzerland Tunnel is the site of an unusual annual tradition: The winter solstice falls on the day that the sun rises exactly in the middle of the tunnel. Hardy folks will gather at the south end of the tunnel and observe the sun coming up directly at the center line.
Then as now, Little Switzerland relies entirely on commerce from the parkway for its livelihood. There is no other business here except parkway tourism.
