Communities

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce represents the cooperative involvement of the communities in and around the greater Cashiers area of Western North Carolina. Distinct in geography, character and identity, these communities are the four cornerstones of life for those who live, work or visit the area. Read on to discover more about the unique qualities of Cashiers, Glenville, Lake Toxaway and Sapphire.

Cashiers, NC

Tucked away quietly in the Southwest corner of North Carolina, the quaint village of Cashiers, NC is one of the state’s most charming places and most popular travel destinations. Surrounded by towering, picturesque mountains, it’s a clean, friendly town that is rich in history and heritage, legends and lore. Thankfully missing in this off-the-beaten-path locale are crowds, flashing neon signs and honky-tonks, for this is a family oriented hideaway with old-school values.

Glenville, NC

In 1941, the west fork of the Tuckaseegee River was damned and the resulting reservoir became what is now known as Lake Glenville encompassing 1450 acres and holding the distinction of being the highest elevation lake east of the Mississippi River. Its beginning, though, is a storied one. As part of the nation's war efforts entering into World War II, the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) needed more electricity to increase production. In June 1940, Nantahala Power and Light, then owned by ALCOA, began constructing a dam on the west fork of the Tuckasegee River at Onion Falls.They completed it in late 1941, filling a new lake called Thorpe Reservoir. It encompassed the entire valley north of Cashiers, flooding the Hamburg township, including schools, homes, businesses, and farmlands to a depth of 300 feet. The Hamburg Baptist Church, cemetery, and a few outlying buildings were moved to higher ground and still stand today. The lake shores have housed a community of residents who can trace their family trees back for generations.

Lake Toxaway, NC

Lake Toxaway’s combination of scenic beauty and the large array of fun-filled outdoor amenities offered there have helped it secure its place on the map of Western North Carolina's mountain treasures. Today, visitors enjoy the summer fun the lake has to offer and many year-round residents call its shores home, enjoying the laid-back lifestyle that clean mountain living provides. 

Sapphire, NC

Straddling the border between Transylvania and Jackson counties in Western North Carolina, the city of Sapphire sits at the heart of the "Land of Waterfalls." It's also home to an array of award-winning golf courses, top-of-the-line restaurants staffed with renowned chefs and some of the best trout fishing waters on the eastern seaboard. Like its name, Sapphire is truly a Western North Carolina gem.