The Junaluska depot.
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Although the Lake Junaluska Assembly became known as a spiritual retreat center, the scenic beauty of the area and the presence of the railroad also attracted attention, even from Hollywood. In 1956, a scene from The Swan, a motion picture starring Sir Alec Guinness and Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, was filmed at the Lake Junaluska Depot. According to Elmer Clark’s book, Junaluska Jubilee, “An ancient and colorful train of the European type was used, the name of the railroad station was changed, and there was a company of horsemen in blazing red uniforms” on location for filming (19). Although this scene occurs early in the film, the film makers’ choice of location and its celebrities inadvertently drew attention to Lake Junaluska.
By 1948, the passenger railroad service to Lake Junaluska stopped, and the depot was no longer used. The depot station’s steps are located behind a red brick double garage, which was once the site of the Lake Junaluska Fire Department. The old Junaluska depot has since been moved and is now a private residence.