A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the centennial observance of little switzerland.
Whereas, the community known as Little Switzerland was settled by Scotch‑Irish and German families in the late 1700s and originally called Phenoy; and
Whereas, in June of 1909, Heriot Clarkson, a lawyer from Charlotte who had served as a State representative and later served as a State Supreme Court justice, travelled with a small group of people to Grassy Mountain in search of land for a summer retreat; and
Whereas, Heriot Clarkson settled upon an area atop Chestnut Ridge that provided stunning views of the mountains in the area; and
Whereas, on September 4, 1909, Heriot Clarkson organized the Switzerland Company with John B. Alexander, Charles H. Duls, J.A. Durham, K.S. Finch, C.E. Mason, Frank M. Shannonhouse, A.C. Summerville, W.H. Sumner, and D.A. Tompkins; and
Whereas, the Switzerland Company purchased 1,100 acres between McDowell and Mitchell Counties and named the area "Little Switzerland" because the mountains in the area resembled the Jura Mountains in Switzerland; and
Whereas, on February 10, 1910, the Switzerland Company began selling lots to future residents; and
Whereas, Little Switzerland served as the site for boys' and girls' camps, including Camp As‑You‑Like‑It, one of the first girls' camps to open in Western North Carolina; and
Whereas, one of Little Switzerland's residents included Harriet Morehead Berry, known as the "Mother of Good Roads in North Carolina," who helped to promote the Good Roads Movement, which resulted in the creation of the State's modern highway system; and
Whereas, the success of Little Switzerland was due in part to better roads which aided in attracting businesses and tourists to the area; and
Whereas, after 100 years as a resort community, Little Switzerland continues to thrive; and
Whereas, the citizens of Little Switzerland have been actively preparing for the community's centennial celebration through a number of community events; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the founders of Little Switzerland and joins the community's citizens in celebrating the community's centennial observance.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Little Switzerland Centennial Celebration Committee.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.