Downtown Little Switzerland

This rare photo shows the entire complex of buildings that originally made up “downtown Little Switzerland”. Judge Heriot Clarkson of Charlotte came to the community in 1909 and would establish a resort community here in 1910, giving it the name Little Switzerland – named for the Jura Mountains of Switzerland.

Originally known as The Commissary, the Switzerland Store was a vital lifeline for the community. It opened in 1913 and was the location of the first public telephone in Little Switzerland, Reid Queen operated the store year-round for the community. These buildings also housed the Little Switzerland Post Office (which originally had been called Phenoy), and a barber shop in addition to the main store, and stood near the location of the present Switzerland Inn shops. The Mitchell County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of our county’s history. We welcome comments, picture identifications, or questions. Please contact us at 828-688-4371, by email at mitchellnchistory@gmail.com, or visit our website at https://mitchellnchistory.org.