Little Switzerland, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Switzerland, North Carolina
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Shops in downtown Little Switzerland.
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 Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | McDowell, Mitchell |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Named for | Switzerland |
| Elevation | 3,468 ft (1,057 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
28749
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1021241 |
Little Switzerland is a small, charming community located in the mountains of North Carolina, United States. It's found in both McDowell and Mitchell counties. This area is known for its beautiful views and is often visited by tourists.
The community sits along North Carolina Highway 226A, which is just off the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. It's positioned north of Marion and south of Spruce Pine. Little Switzerland is quite high up, about 3,468 feet (1,057 meters) above sea level.
In 1909, a group called the "Switzerland Company" was started by a judge named Heriot Clarkson. Their goal was to build a special resort village in this scenic spot. They had specific rules for the new community, like not allowing alcohol and only permitting one house per plot of land.
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History of Little Switzerland
Building the Resort Village
The idea for Little Switzerland began in 1909. Judge Heriot Clarkson and his company wanted to create a peaceful mountain getaway. They chose this location because its rolling hills and beautiful scenery reminded them of Switzerland. This is how the community got its unique name.
Blue Ridge Parkway and Land Disputes
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a very famous road that winds through the Appalachian Mountains. In 1964, the Switzerland Company had a disagreement with the people building the Parkway. The company felt that the Parkway was taking too much land through their resort without paying enough for it.
They eventually reached an agreement. The Parkway was allowed to have a 200-foot-wide path through the resort and paid $25,000. Because of this agreement, the section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland is the narrowest part in all of North Carolina.
The access road to the Switzerland Inn is one of only two places on the Parkway where a commercial business has its own direct road. The other is the Pisgah Inn. There were other small disagreements too, like when the Parkway closed a road leading to Kilmichael Tower, which was built by Little Switzerland. The tower eventually fell apart, but its base is now used as a vacation rental.
Railroad and Toll Road
The Switzerland Company also worked with the Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railroad to get a train station built about four miles from the community. To make it easier for people to reach the station, they built a toll road called Etchoe Pass Road.
People had to pay a small fee to use this road. However, the tolls didn't last very long, though you can still see where the toll booths once stood. This road is now known as NC 226A, a public highway.
Changes to the Switzerland Inn
The very first Switzerland Inn, which was a key part of the original resort, was taken down in the 1960s. A new, more modern hotel was built in its place by William Cessna. This new building was designed to be a "motor court," which was a popular style of hotel for travelers with cars at that time.
Historic Church
The Church of the Resurrection is an important building in Little Switzerland. It was recognized for its historical value and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This means it's a special place that is protected because of its history and architecture.
