PWA Constructed Brevard's Old Post Office

During the Depression the federal government built over 1,100 post offices throughout the country as part of the New Deal including at least twelve in North Carolina.  The Franklin Post Office was constructed in 1935, followed by post offices in Marion, Reidsville, Lincolnton, Louisburg, Newton, Warrenton, Boone, Leaksville, Weldon, Brevard and Madison.

Many of these post offices were built by the Public Works Administration and were similar in architectural style and design.  In North Carolina Brevard, Boone, Leaksville, Lincolnton, Newton and Marion all had post offices that resembled one another.

Brevard Post Office, 1941

On August 3, 1938 bids were received on ten sites available in the downtown Brevard.  A lot on the corner of Broad and Morgan Streets was purchased from Mrs. Beulah Zachary for $4000 on May 5, 1939.  Groundbreaking took place on May 6, 1940.  The Post Office began operating from the building in January 1941.

The structure was built of brick in the Federal/Greek Revival style.  The front featured a large central door with a classical surround under a segmental arch.  Limestone formed the lintels and sills of the twelve-over-twelve sash windows and the cornerstone.  There is a classical cupola with windows on the center roof ridge.

Brevard Post Office from Morgan Street side, 1941

The supervising architect for the building was Louis A. Simon and the government engineer was Victor J. Oliver.  J.L. Beam was superintendent for Boyd and Goforth contractors.  The PWA stressed the importance of high quality workmanship to ensure character and lasting benefits.

The building served as the Brevard Post Office for over 30 years until postal service moved to a new building on West Main Street in early 1972.

In 1973 the county purchased the building from the General Services Administration in order to provide a new home for the Transylvania County Library.  Renovations were undertaken to open the space up and lower the ceiling to provide better lighting and save on heating the building.  A 2300 square foot addition was also added to the north side of the existing 3500 square foot building.  Additions were also made on each side of the back entrance—for an office on the south side and the North Carolina Room on the north side. 

Transylvania County Library, 1995

The new library opened at 3:00 pm on Monday, November 11, 1974.  The marble faced charge desk was saved from the old post office, as was the “Most Wanted Criminal” bulletin board.  The basement was also renovated to include a large meeting room for programs for both adults and children.

Children's Wing construction, 1985

In 1982 another addition was planned for a Children’s Wing to be added on the back of the 1974 addition.  Due to “delays in processing of county tax collections” and a “cash-flow burden” construction did not actually begin until September 1985.  Additional delays in the construction of the 2000 square foot Children’s Wing stretched the project to nearly a year.  The new Children’s Wing, along with a renovated area for the Sarah Keels Tilson Historical Room opened in early September.

In May 2006 the library moved out of the building to its new location just two doors down Broad St. 

In 2013 County Commissioners voted to renovate the building once more.  The Transylvania County Administration Offices opened in the former Brevard Post Office, later the Transylvania County Library, on Monday, October 20, 2014.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.