It first appeared in the spring of 2025, if memory serves, in the middle of Greenville Street, Saluda, North Carolina, just a short way from the fire hall: a solitary orange traffic cone, dutifully warning drivers away from a repair in the newly paved street that had developed into a two foot square pothole. It was quite unusual to see a single traffic cone. They are incredibly sociable creatures. I am sure you have seen them in their regimental glory on many an American highway, marching along by the hundreds, keeping drivers safe in myriads of construction zones. To see one all alone in solitary splendor is quite unusual.
It is a lonely job, standing in the middle of a busy street all day. Not all traffic cones have that ability. This one is the exception. Day and night it stands its ground, despite the onslaught of cars, pickups, dump trucks, and, of course, fire engines. The little-cone-that-could never failed in its duty. Well, almost never. It was observed by alert neighbors taking a well deserved break on the sidewalk on occasion, but it always returned to the pothole in a timely manner. It was truly a civic minded cone.
It was not surprising then, when come Christmas time it began sporting a Santa Hat. It was quite jaunty, all red and green with the requisite tassel on top. It was easy to see that the cone was proud to be part of the Community Holiday Celebration. Until the day the hat was gone. Our cone was bereft, cold, and obviously lonesome without its festive hat. It is not known if the hat was stolen by one of the rowdy youngsters who inhabit the ubiquitous pickup trucks, or if there was some other reason, but it seems to have happened on a Friday. Payday. Party night.
Did the poor, lonesome traffic cone, longing for company, leave its post and slink off to the local pub for a beer and some warm companionship? Or was it a more sinister incident of theft? We may never know. But Saluda is nothing if not generous. In just a couple of days the lonesome cone was seen sporting another Christmas Hat! It must have been a donation, because the wages paid to traffic cones are pitiful, a mere pittance; adequate if you are part of the regimented thousands, living collectively, but not even enough for an occasional beer, if you are a lone cone working by yourself.
Then it happened again: a hatless cone. Was it Friday again? A theft or a beer run? Cold, alone, humiliated and bereft it remained doggedly at its post, sadly without a hat. But once again the good people of Saluda came to the rescue with another hat, this time an even more beautiful one. One that any traffic cone could be proud of, beer run hangovers notwithstanding.
We are all waiting for next Friday to see if the hat remains in place — a proud symbol of a proud community. I am sure that you all are with me in support of our solitary and lonely traffic cone. We will not let it down and stand shoulder to shoulder, if it had a shoulder, with it in the Holiday Spirit.
Rush Dixon Architects is a solutions-based, contemporary architecture and design firm. For us, a clear understanding of what is being designed, built or re-fashioned is a must, so before we ever put pen to paper we take the necessary time to listen and assess. Results-driven, we design strategically and artfully to create winning solutions that bring value to our clients, whether the goal is a more efficient business, a clearer brand, or a more functional, livable custom residence. We believe that modern design is not found solely in the materials, but rather through the pursuit of better spaces for living and doing business. Rush Dixon Architects is included in Forbes Magazine’s “America’s Best-In-State Residential Architects” for 2025 and the national “America’s Top 200 Residential Architects.”
High above the winding roads of Saluda, on a wooded ridge overlooking the Warrior and Blue Ridge Mountains, stands The Orchard Inn—a place shaped by railroads, retreat, and resilience. In 2026, the inn marks 100 years since its original construction, celebrating a century of mountain hospitality rooted deeply in Saluda’s history.
Built for the Railroad Era (circa 1926)
The Orchard Inn began its life in 1926 as the Railway Clerks’ Mountain Home, constructed by the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks of the Southern Railway System. At the height of Saluda’s prominence as a railroad town and mountain resort, the Brotherhood sought a summer retreat where clerks and their families could escape the heat and illnesses of the Lowcountry and Piedmont.
Designed as a guest lodge rather than a grand hotel, the two-story frame building featured wide porches, shared gathering spaces, and ten upstairs bedrooms—each meant to foster rest, community, and connection. Guests arrived by train using employee passes, staying for one- or two-week sessions during the summer season, which typically ran from June through October .
The Mountain Home was intentionally sited on high ground, approximately 2,500 feet above sea level, with sweeping views and its own spring-fed water system. Early brochures promoted it as a place where railroad families could enjoy what was described as a “millionaire vacation on a clerk’s income,” complete with three home-cooked meals a day, electricity, and expansive porches for leisure and socializing .
Three cottages—Paulownia, Boxwood, and Twin Poplar—were built at the same time as the main house and remain part of the property today. These cottages, named for trees found in the region, provided additional lodging and housed managers and staff over the years.
Architectural Character & Design
The Orchard Inn is a rare surviving example of Saluda’s early 20th-century mountain lodging architecture. Built around 1926, the main house reflects a blend of Colonial Revival form with Craftsman influences, a style commonly used for mountain guest lodges of the era. Its rectangular, two-story frame construction is defined by a broad, hip-roofed porch that once wrapped around much of the building—an essential feature for socializing, relaxation, and taking in the mountain air.
Inside, the original floor plan remains largely intact and reflects the inn’s original purpose as a communal retreat. A spacious central living room anchors the first floor, complete with hardwood floors and a large stone fireplace, while a wide upstairs hallway connects the guest rooms above. Throughout the building, original materials such as plaster walls, wood flooring, simple trim details, and Craftsman-style stair balustrades have been preserved, reinforcing the inn’s historic character.
The three original guest cottages—Paulownia, Boxwood, and Twin Poplar—were constructed at the same time as the main house and contribute to the property’s architectural integrity. Together, the buildings and their wooded setting make The Orchard Inn the only remaining intact example of the traditional boarding houses and guest lodges that once defined Saluda’s resort era, a distinction specifically noted in its National Register listing.
Surviving Change and Decline
By the mid-20th century, Saluda’s fortunes shifted. The rise of automobile travel, the Great Depression, and the eventual decline of passenger rail service dramatically reduced tourism. One by one, Saluda’s boarding houses and inns closed or disappeared.
Remarkably, the Railway Clerks’ Mountain Home endured. Though its use declined in the 1950s, it survived as the only remaining example of Saluda’s early 20th-century mountain boarding houses—a rare architectural and cultural holdover from the town’s resort era .
In 1962, the Brotherhood sold the property, and over the following years it operated under several names, including the Railroad House, the Wayside Inn, and the White Stag Inn.
Becoming The Orchard Inn
In 1981, Ken and Ann Hough of Charleston purchased the property and renamed it The Orchard Inn, a nod to the apple orchards that once covered the surrounding hillsides. That same year, they undertook a thoughtful renovation of the main building and original cottages, carefully transforming the former Railway Clerks’ Mountain Home into a welcoming bed-and-breakfast while preserving its historic layout and character. Under their stewardship, the inn was reestablished as a year-round destination, offering lodging, dining, and an experience rooted in both comfort and history.
Following the Houghs’ tenure, the inn continued to thrive under subsequent owners. In 1997, Bob and Kathy Thompson purchased the property and successfully operated the inn for more than a decade, further strengthening its reputation as one of Saluda’s most enduring mountain retreats.
Recognizing its architectural and historical importance, the property—listed under its historic name—was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, noted for its Craftsman-influenced architecture and its role in the recreational and social history of Polk County.
Today, The Orchard Inn is in the stewardship of Marc and Marianne Blazar. After searching for three years to find the right bed-and-breakfast, they knew the moment they stepped onto the front porch that they had found something special. Drawn to the inn’s history, setting, and sense of place, they continue its long tradition of hospitality while thoughtfully guiding the property into its next century.
A Living Piece of Saluda’s Story
Today, The Orchard Inn remains what it has always been: a place of retreat. Guests still gather on the porches, dine overlooking the mountains, and experience the quiet rhythm of a property shaped by nearly a century of change.
As The Orchard Inn celebrates 100 years, it stands not only as a destination, but as a living chapter of Saluda’s railroad legacy, mountain resort history, and enduring sense of place.
Here’s to a century on the mountain—and to the stories still waiting to be written. Celebrate 100 Years at The Orchard Inn & Spa, book you stay here! Source National Register of Historic Places.
The Saluda Community Alliance is the merger of two long established non-profit organizations – the Saluda Downtown Foundation and the Saluda Business Association. These two organizations, through the work of their volunteers, have created Saluda traditions such the Saluda Arts Festival, Top of the Grade Concerts, and Hometown Christmas. They have also played a key role in establishing and maintaining www.saluda.com as a central resource for residents, businesses, and visitors. Their boards, volunteers and members have worked tirelessly to ensure Saluda’s economic vitality.
Join HERE now and be part of Saluda’s future through the Saluda Community Alliance.
Membership in the SCA is $75. Membership is a non-taxable charitable contribution and is open to all wishing to support Saluda’s economic vitality, beatification, arts, cultural development and preservation.
Get Your Business or Non-Profit Listed on Saluda.com
As an SCA member, businesses or non-profits with a 28773 zip code, you can purchase a Web page on Saluda.com and be featured in posts to the SCA’s social media accounts.
Saluda business webpage on Saluda.com – $100
Nonprofit web page on Saluda.com – $50
Business owners with a second business webpage – $50
Non-member business website on Saluda.com – $200
Everyone’s Invited to Join!
We urge all to join and lend a voice to Saluda’s future. In addition to your membership, you can make a donation and be a sponsor for one of our specific programs. Click HERE and donate today. Saluda Arts Festival
Mountain Song Community Chorus
Top of the Grade Concerts
General Administrative
Marketing and Promotion
Travel doesn’t always need weeks of planning or long-haul drives. One of the fastest-growing travel trends right now is tiny travel—short, intentional getaways that fit easily into real life. Think one night, a long weekend, or a few unhurried days designed to reset, not exhaust.
That’s where Saluda shines. So close, yet a world away.
Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saluda offers an easy escape from city life. Whether you’re coming from Charlotte, Atlanta, or one of the many nearby cities just a short drive away, you can trade traffic and packed schedules for mountain air, quiet mornings, and walkable charm—without committing to a big trip. It’s close enough for a spontaneous decision, but far enough to feel like you’ve truly stepped away.
Tiny Travel, Your Way
One of the best parts of tiny travel is its flexibility. There’s no single “right” way to do it. It can be restful or exploratory, loosely planned or completely open-ended. What matters most is intention—choosing a place that lets you disconnect quickly and feel present, even if you only have a little time.
Why Tiny Travel Makes Sense
It’s a true reset without the wait. You don’t have to count down months to feel refreshed. A short escape can break routine, clear your head, and restore energy faster than waiting for that once-a-year big trip.
It works with your schedule, not against it. Tiny travel slips easily into real life. A free weekend, a spontaneous overnight, or a couple of quiet days away can be just as fulfilling—without rearranging work or family plans.
It keeps costs manageable. Fewer nights, shorter drives, and simpler plans make tiny travel easier on your budget. You can focus on the experience itself instead of the expense that usually comes with longer trips.
It leads to unexpected discoveries. Some of the most memorable places aren’t on a must-see list. Tiny travel invites you to explore more slowly, notice more deeply, and stumble upon the kinds of hidden gems that stick with you long after you’re home.
Why Tiny Travel Just Works in Saluda
Saluda’s slower pace has a way of stretching time. Even a short stay feels full and intentional, offering the kind of reset that usually takes much longer to achieve.
Arrive and immediately downshift. Once you reach Saluda, there’s no need to keep driving. Park the car, take a deep breath, and let the pace change almost instantly. Everything you need is close, walkable, and refreshingly unrushed.
Wander a historic downtown built for lingering. Saluda’s downtown invites you to slow down. Shops encourage browsing instead of rushing, meals are meant to be savored, and conversations unfold naturally—often with locals happy to share stories and suggestions.
Step into nature within minutes. From scenic overlooks to quiet trails, outdoor spaces are always just a few minutes away. Whether you’re seeking a short walk, a peaceful view, or time alone with the mountains, it’s easy to slip into nature without planning a full-day excursion.
Stay somewhere that feels special, even for one night. Cozy cabins, welcoming inns, and distinctive stays turn even a single night into a memorable experience. It’s the kind of place where you can fully unpack—mentally and physically—no matter how brief your visit.
Come With a Plan… or Don’t
Tiny travel is about flexibility. Stay one night. Stretch it into a weekend. Turn a few days into a full week. Saluda doesn’t ask much of your schedule—just that you slow down once you arrive.
It’s proof that you don’t need a big trip to feel refreshed. Sometimes, a short drive from Charlotte or Atlanta is all it takes.
Why Saluda Is Perfect for the Short Escape