For more than a century, that narrow stretch of steel and timber carved its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting the Carolinas in a defiant dance against gravity. The Saluda Grade is a short but storied segment of railway that held the distinction of being the steepest standard-gauge mainline railroad grade in the United States. It was not only an engineering marvel, but a deeply woven thread in the industrial and cultural tapestry of the Southern Appalachians.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site recently shared tributes on its Facebook page celebrating the remarkable lives of Carl and Lilian Sandburg’s three daughters—Margaret, Janet, and Helga.

Though each of the daughters lived uniquely different lives, they shared a deep bond rooted in creativity, intellect, and a profound love for their home, Connemara. Along with their remarkable parents, these women helped create a legacy that is still at the core of Flat Rock’s identity.

Margaret, Janet, and Helga were not only the daughters of one of America’s most cherished poets—they were vibrant individuals whose passions and quiet contributions enriched the Sandburg legacy and continue to inspire visitors today.

A century before the advent of its current commercial activity, Flat Rock Square – on the northeast corner of the intersection of Greenville Highway and West Blue Ridge Road - was primarily known as the place where thousands of area students studied, played, and acquired the basic life skills necessary for happy and productive lives.

It is also the site of one of the most infamous crimes in the history of Henderson County. A crime that ultimately led to an increasingly vibrant commercial district in Flat Rock rising from the ashes of an old school.

Lauren Rogers Hopkin’s journey with Flat Rock Playhouse began in 1992 when, as a seven-year-old, she attended what was then called Theatre for Young People. Her experience, even at such a young age, was transformational and set Lauren on a path that destined her for a career in the arts.

Now, some three decades later, Lauren has returned to the Playhouse as Director of Education, overseeing both the Playhouse apprentice program and Playhouse Jr., the education arm of Flat Rock Playhouse offering classes and camps for K-12th graders as well as adults.

In 2020, the National Park Service published a study of Black history at Rock Hill/Connemara. The study is entitled Black Lives and Whitened Stories and was compiled by David and Anne Whisnant. In their introduction, the Whisnants explain that the study was undertaken to tell the untold story of the black slaves and servants who worked and often lived at Connemara during its long and rich history.

Flat Rock resident, Laura Meherg Teel, spent years as the primary caregiver for two aging parents dealing with dementia. Although those years were frequently challenging, confusing, and at times heartbreaking, Laura was able to navigate her parents’ journey with the help of a groundbreaking organization out of Asheville called MemoryCare.

Now Laura is President of the Board of Directors at MemmoryCare and has been instrumental in arranging an upcoming workshop for caregivers of patients suffering from dementia.

When Tish Hilyer first entered the building that would eventually house her new endeavor, she knew immediately that the warm and inviting room with an expansive view of Highland Lake would be perfect as a yoga studio.  “They opened the door and I thought ‘This is a yoga space.’ It just felt like a straight-from-the-divine opportunity.”

One year later, Tish and her Wild Lotus Yoga Collective are thriving in their new home in Highland Lake Cove.

On a Sunday morning in June of 1815, Scotsman James Brown found himself staring across the countryside of Waterloo, Belgium. A bugler for the Royal Scots Greys, Brown clutched his instrument and prepared to enter battle against the famous French army of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Just a few years later James Brown, witness to perhaps the most iconic battle in European history, immigrated to America. Ultimately ending up in Flat Rock, NC.

In May 2024, Flat Rock Together published a story about the history of one of East Flat Rock’s most iconic structures, the Stepp Walker Building. At the time, there were considerable gaps in the building’s history.

Fortunately, two individuals with personal histories with the building saw our original story and helped fill those gaps. We heard from Elizabeth Pressley Hill whose father operated a grocery store in the building in the 1950s and 1960s and Jim Kirkpatrick whose father acquired and grew a very successful business there in the 1980s. Those stories are recounted here.

At the end of each year, I undertake the impossible task of selecting my five favorite Flat Rock Together stories from the preceding 12 months. It is, of course, a task that is both arbitrary and unfair. Every story is valuable and should be celebrated in its own right. Stories are how we mark time, celebrate relationships, bestow accolades on the protagonists, and give meaning to our existence.

Five favorite stories from 2025 here.