Name/Title
Fairyland Club, Swimming Pool, Lookout MountainEntry/Object ID
2020.148.002Description
A postcard with the front showing a photograph of the "unique and picturesque swimming pool" at the Fairyland Club atop Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
The Fairyland Inn, 1928
To make their new 16-home modern residential community more appealing, Garnet Carter and Oliver B. Andrews built the 40-guest room Fairyland Inn as a clubhouse for residents and visitors. Constructed from local mountain stone, the inn features an English Tudor Revival exterior of stucco and exposed timbers and sits on the east brow of Lookout Mountain. In 1928, ten residential cottages were added to the northwest end of the property, creating a community known as Mother Goose Village. The name, storybook, and fairytale street names were inspired by Garnet’s wife, Frieda Carter, and her passion for European folklore. She also designed many of the homes and cottages.
The Depression halted much of the future expansion of Fairyland. However, in 1932, the vision for a ten-acre tract adjacent to the property would change Chattanooga's history. Rock City would gain momentum with visitors, and mostly through a stroke of genius in advertising on barns, Rock City has endured for over 80 years as one of America’s beloved tourist diversions.
Delays in the addition of the Fairyland’s golf course unexpectedly birthed the reinvention of miniature golf. Reimagined by Carter, it was originally conceived as an impromptu activity that was first to be played with drain tiles and surplus construction materials. It would later be refined and became a lasting international craze. Carter patented and sold franchise licenses of his Tom Thumb Golf Courses, and a handful of original or restored Tom Thumb courses are still in use today. Remnants of the old Tom Thumb golf course on Lookout Mountain can still be found.Subject Person/Organization
Fairyland Club (Lookout Mountain)Subject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
Lookout Mountain, TennesseeCollection
Lookout Mountain CollectionPostcard Details
Date Published
circa 1928Printer
Lumitone PhotoPlace Printed
* Untyped Place Printed
New York City, New YorkCopyright
Type of License
Copyright Not Evaluated
