The opening of the Saluda Historic Depot has stirred up memories in Saluda natives of stories about life in Saluda around the railroad and the depot. Join Saluda natives to share times of growing up in Saluda when the railroad was at its height. Lee Atkins, Hilda Pace and Jenell Gasperson will lead the story telling, beginning at 7 p.m. on June 17 at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main Street, Saluda, N.C.

The romance and realism of mountain railroading comes alive at the Saluda Historic Depot. “How the West Was Won: Trains and the Transformation of Western North Carolina” tells the story of the coming of the railroads after the Civil War and the impact they had on the life, economy, culture, folklore, music and landscape of the mountains.

This exhibit will open July 1 and run through August 31 at the Saluda Historic Depot and can be previewed during Saluda Train Tales on June 17.  This exhibit is on loan from the Rural Heritage Museum at Mars Hills University.

Using narratives, historic photos and artifacts, visitors can view the history of rail in the region and learn about the high drama surrounding the construction of the Old Fort and Clinchfield Loops, the dangers of building the steepest mainline railroad grade in America on Saluda Mountain, and the despair that came with the loss of so many lives on these mountain railroads.

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.

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

–  article submitted
by Cathy Jackson