Lake Toxaway Estates

During the late 1800s, western North Carolina gained national prominence as a vacation locale for wealthy families. When a group of Pittsburgh entrepreneurs formed the Toxaway Company in 1895, the original shareholders included C.H. Stolzenbach, W.D. Sharpe, G.W. Eisenbeis, J.F. Hays, and C.W.R. Radeker. The articles of incorporation for the Toxaway Company declare the company’s intention to acquire and develop land and to mine minerals found on those lands. The Toxaway Company, soon after its formation began to build a series of summer resorts in the “Switzerland of America.” Lake Fairfield and the Fairfield Inn were built in 1896, Lake Sapphire and the Sapphire Inn were built in 1897, and the 200-room Franklin Hotel was completed in 1900.

The Estates community is about 5,000 acres in size.
•The master plan includes 1100 home sites.
•There are currently about 875 property owners.
•Approximately 700 homes.
•Approximately 125 families are permanent year-round residents.

This is a private community with approximately 1,100 home sites ranging in size from 20-acre camps to half-acre lots. Approximately 125 families are permanent year-round residents; many of our seasonal residents come from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Access to the lake and marina—as well as membership at Lake Toxaway Country Club—are limited to property owners.

Community amenities include a playground and soccer field, 40 acres of open space known as The Meadow, and The Pavilion, an open-air arena where monthly music events are held during the summer season. These amenities and more than 27 miles of private roads within the estates are maintained by the Lake Toxaway Community Association.

Lake Toxaway is surrounded by more than 10,000 acres of wilderness areas and mountain peaks rising to more than 4,700 feet in elevation. Gorges State Park, Nantahala National Forest, and Pisgah National Forest are located right around Lake Toxaway, and more state and national parks—such as the Blue Ridge Parkway—are just a short drive away.