Saluda: Where Mountain Magic and History Meet
Nestled at the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saluda, NC, is a hidden gem just a short drive from Hendersonville. For anyone considering a move to Hendersonville or looking to experience what it’s like living near the mountains, Saluda offers a window into the history, serenity, and community spirit that continues to define Western North Carolina living.
A Proud Past on the Steepest Grade
Founded on the banks of history and built atop the famed Saluda Grade—the steepest mainline railway grade in the United States—Saluda has long been a place of arrival. When the first passenger train crept into town on July 4th, 1878, a new era dawned for the tiny village then called Pace’s Gap. With the railroad came prosperity, visitors, and eventually chartered town status by 1881.
The heart of Saluda pulsed to the rhythm of the trains, guiding daily life and fueling the town’s steady growth. Historic Main Street blossomed with general stores, boardinghouses, churches, and schools. Even today, a stroll down Main feels like stepping back in time, where you’ll find well-preserved treasures like the M.A. Pace Store and Thompson’s Store & Ward’s Grill, both still welcoming guests with old-school charm.
New Neighbors and Summer Traditions
Every summer, thousands of seasonal residents flock to Flat Rock, Hendersonville, and Saluda from places like Florida and South Carolina. While some are long-time visitors, others are newcomers discovering a slower, healthier pace of life.
For over a century, Saluda has been a beloved refuge for Lowcountry families escaping summer heat. These “summer people,” as they’re fondly known, built Victorian-style homes on hillsides like Shand Hill and Columbia Heights—traditions that continue to this day. Generations of families return each year, keeping the legacy alive with front porch storytelling, hikes through the lush mountains, and Sunday mornings at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.
Health, Healing, and the Ozone High
What drew so many to Saluda in the early 20th century wasn’t merely its beauty, but its mountain air. With notable concentrations of pure ozone, Saluda became a haven for children suffering from respiratory illnesses. In 1914, Dr. Lesesne Smith founded the Infant and Children’s Sanitarium here, which later expanded into a hub of pediatric care and education with the Southern Pediatric Seminar drawing doctors from across the South.
This legacy of health and wellness still echoes in Saluda’s outdoorsy culture today. Whether it’s hiking, biking, or simply relaxing on a shaded porch, it’s easy to see why so many people relocate to Hendersonville and its neighboring towns like Saluda to find peace and restoration.
Everyday Life with Deep Roots
Living in Hendersonville or nearby Saluda means being part of something more than just picturesque towns—it’s about belonging to a living history. Many Saluda families have deep generational ties going back to influential settlers like Captain Allen Jones and the Pace family, and that sense of rootedness has helped create an atmosphere that’s both welcoming and enduring.
Talk to residents like Elizabeth Porcher Jones and you’ll uncover treasured family homes like “Reola” that have been lovingly passed down for generations. Jones and her family share porch gatherings, long walks through town, and sun-soaked afternoons that echo simpler times—proving you don’t need much more than mountains, family, and community to feel at home.
Things to Do in Saluda (and Nearby!)
In addition to its storybook charm and epic mountain views, Saluda offers plenty of things to do just a short trip from Hendersonville:
- Shop & Sip: Explore local treasures at M.A. Pace Hardware or grab a cherry Coke at Ward’s Grill.
- Get Outdoors: Hike the Green River trails or paddle down the Green River Gorge.
- Attend Events: Join seasonal festivals, music nights, and the popular Saluda Historic Home Tour.
- Visit Carl Sandburg’s Home: A quick trip leads to this national historic site in Flat Rock.
And of course, downtown Hendersonville is only minutes away, offering international cuisine, artsy boutiques, and seasonal apple-flavored everything during the annual Apple Festival. The mix of small-town solace with vibrant community life is exactly what makes moving to Hendersonville—and nearby towns like Saluda—so appealing.
Fall Into the Way of Life
The beauty of Saluda isn’t just in its history or its setting—it’s in the continuity of seasons and stories that flow from one generation to the next. Whether you’re walking the old rail path, savoring a moment on a centuries-old porch, or meeting friends by foot or bike in downtown, you’ll find that living in Hendersonville’s surrounding areas comes with a slowness that feels just right.
For families looking to relocate to Hendersonville—and those looking to immerse in a community with rich roots and natural beauty—Saluda is a shining example of what’s possible when you choose to live somewhere that values people as much as place.
If you’re visiting this summer, or better yet, planning to settle into mountain life yourself, take a detour through Saluda. It’s not just a stop on the map; it’s a way of life.