| 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, the Tryon Garden Club bought the property in order to preserve this unique mountain Glen. Through the generosity of an honorary member and careful planning, 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. Over 17,000 people visit Pearson's Falls 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. Pearson's Falls is designated as a North Carolina National Heritage Site of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a North Carolina Birding Trail Site, and is placed in the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Gardens. 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. 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…. |
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| Many millions of years ago 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 plains. (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 scouted the mountains for what was to become the Southern Railroad. |
| The History of: Pearson's Falls |
| House on land when purchased in 1876 by Charles W. Pearson |
| Pearson Falls' and Colt Creek |
| TO LINGER NOT TO LITTER TO REST BUT NOT MOLEST TO ENJOY BUT NOT DESTROY |
TAKEN FROM:
HISTORY OF PEARSON’S FALLS PURCHASE
Written by Mrs. J.B. Hester
November 22, 1939
“This (the mortgage) has now been paid off, and it is
hoped that the spirit of cooperation which made all this
possible may ever exist in the Tryon Garden Club, and
that no one may ever regret (forget) the efforts put forth
to save Pearson’s Falls and Glen for nature lovers.”
(Italics added)
HISTORY OF PEARSON’S FALLS PURCHASE
Written by Mrs. J.B. Hester
November 22, 1939
“This (the mortgage) has now been paid off, and it is
hoped that the spirit of cooperation which made all this
possible may ever exist in the Tryon Garden Club, and
that no one may ever regret (forget) the efforts put forth
to save Pearson’s Falls and Glen for nature lovers.”
(Italics added)