Walk down Depot Street in Waynesville today and you’ll find craft breweries, art galleries, coffee shops, and people enjoying the Tuckasegee River. But if you rewind a few decades, Frog Level looked very different.

A railroad-era district

In the early 1900s, Frog Level was Waynesville’s industrial heart. The railroad brought goods and passengers, and the low-lying streets filled with warehouses, mills, and mercantile shops. The nickname “Frog Level” came from its low elevation — when heavy rains came, water pooled so deep that frogs were said to hop right along the street.

Decline and neglect

When the railroad slowed and industry shifted, Frog Level’s buildings sat empty. For years, the district was neglected, with vacant storefronts and crumbling brick.

Arts and brewing bring new life

In the early 2000s, entrepreneurs and artists saw opportunity. Frog Level Brewing Company became an anchor, artists opened studios, and the district began to thrive again.

A community hub again

Today, Frog Level is buzzing with festivals, art walks, and music — proof that small towns can revive neglected spaces through local talent, food, and culture.