Pearson's Falls

A North Carolina
Natural Heritage Area

Property of the Tryon Garden Club

THE PEARSON'S FALLS STORY...

"Many millions of years ago a wrinkle like a smile began to crease the face of the continent that was to be called America, and the Blue Ridge was raised from the sea and the plains... and there are no fossils in the Blue Ridge granite which proves that these aged mountains have never again been under water..." (from "Natural History of Pearson's Falls" by Donald C. Peattie, 1933).

Pearson's Falls Glen is the remarkable botanical wonderland that lies hidden in these great Blue Ridge Mountains. It was named for the young engineer Charles William Pearson who discovered the falls area while scouting for passage through the mountains for what was to be the Southern Railroad. A military man, farmer, and an engineer, Captain Pearson bought the glen as part of a large tract of land that he wanted for his family. For years he and his heirs allowed generations of young people to picnic on the great stone table-rock that you will see at the foot of the falls. Botanists and bird-fanciers from all over the country have come to discover and catalogue the wonders of this glen area.

In 1931 Capt. Pearson's son had to sell a portion of his holdings, and he accepted the offer of a timber company to buy the glen and the surrounding woodland. At this point, the Tryon Garden Club came to the rescue to save this unique mountain property. Through the generosity of an honorary member and careful planning of the group, the club members purchased the several hundred acres of this wildlife preserve. Although open to the public, the property remains under the ownership and protection for the Tryon Garden Club.

The Garden House, with the large bay window, was built to house the glen plants catalogued by Dr. Oliver M. Freeman, which collection part of the Botany Department of the University of North Carolina-Asheville.

The Gatekeeper's House was added when the need for full-time supervision of the entrance and the glen became necessary. Over 25,000 people visit this garden club property each year. It is also a wildlife preserve, and outdoor laboratory for the Botany Departments of the surrounding Colleges and Universities, and the site of frequent field trips for local science classes. A book written by Donald C. Peattie called "Pearson's Falls Glen" is for sale from the Gatekeeper and lists over 200 of the ferns, flowering plants, algae and mosses found in the glen. Improvements to the buildings, the pathway and the picnic facilities are made possible through generous contributions of friends and visitors to the glen and though memorials to club members and benefactors.

Today the Tryon Garden Club members actively participate in maintaining the property so that they and you who are visiting, may enjoy this unusual gift of nature.

Please stay on the path and remember...

TO LINGER
NOT TO LITTER

TO REST
BUT NOT MOLEST

TO ENJOY
BUT NOT DESTROY

Pearson's Falls is located just off Route 176, four miles north of Tryon, NC,
or three miles south of Saluda, NC. Look for the signs.

The Glen Trail is approximately 1/4 mile.

Closed Mondays except holidays.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
November 1-February 28

HOURS
March 1-0ctober 31
Gates Open: 10 a.m.
Gates Close: 6 p.m.
November 1-February 28

Gates Open: 10 a.m.
Gates Close: 5 p.m.

Adults from and children 13 and up $5.00

Picnicking Permitted

NO FIRES

NO PETS

The Tryon Garden Club organized 1929
Photo by Chris Bartol - Photo Works