Pearson's Falls of the Tryon Garden Club
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 Captain Pearson’s son had to sell a portion of his holdings, and was about to accept 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 of 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, whose collection is now part of the Botany Department of the University of North
Carolina-Ashville.
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 the Tryon 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 Dr.
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 through 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 paths, and remember….
TO LINGER
NOT TO LITTER
TO REST
BUT NOT MOLEST
TO ENJOY
BUT NOT DESTROY
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 Captain Pearson’s son had to sell a portion of his holdings, and was about to accept 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 of 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, whose collection is now part of the Botany Department of the University of North
Carolina-Ashville.
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 the Tryon 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 Dr.
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 through 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 paths, and remember….
TO LINGER
NOT TO LITTER
TO REST
BUT NOT MOLEST
TO ENJOY
BUT NOT DESTROY
The Pearson's Falls Story
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"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
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