I am compiling a list of hotels, lodges and resorts owned by railroads. I have not seen any reference to Southern RR owned hotels in any material I have read. I would like to hear from people who know of any from SR or subsidiaries. I require a high level of proof so I would also like to know where you got your information. Just because it was called "Southern Hotel" or advertised in timetables does NOT automatically mean it was railroad owned. I have a huge listing of confirmed locales on other RRs I would be happy to share with interested parties. (some are still open!) Also, what was the story of "The Forest"? Was it ever open to the public? Just exactly where was it located? Thanks, AEP

-- Albert E. Pope (aepope@worldnet.att.net), September 29, 1999

Answers

A subsidiary of the Southern, the Carolina & North-Western Railway, owned a hotel and resort area in the small mountain village of Edgemont, NC, just 20 miles NW of Lenoir, and about 90 miles NW of Charlotte. Called the Edgemont Company, it was formed in the early 20th century, and the building actually still existed until recently, when it was burned by vandals in 1989. If you need more details, check out the book "The History of the Carolina & N-W Railway," Overmountain Press, 1997. Pix and history of the company are in the book, and I have lots more photos, including floor plan, of the hotel.

-- Matt Bumgarner (stealthnfo@aol.com), September 30, 1999.