Several Communities Comprise Rosenwald

The African-American population in Transylvania County has always been relatively small.  When Transylvania County was created in 1861 there were 447 slaves recorded living in the county.  The first U.S. Census for Transylvania County was taken in 1870.  It lists the total population as 3536, with 3227 white and 309 colored.  African-Americans accounted for 8.74% of the county’s people.

The Historical Census Browser from the University of Virginia allows users to examine populations, ethnicity, race, education, agriculture and economic statistics by county from 1790-1960.  It shows that the African-American population in Transylvania County grew over the 100 year period from the county’s formation to 1960.  However, the total population grew at a faster rate so that by 1960 African-Americans made up just 5.22% of the county’s population.

During this time period communities were segregated.  Although whites and blacks may have worked together in places like Transylvania Tanning on the south side of Brevard, they lived separate lives.  They shopped at different stores, attended different churches and schools, and lived in different communities.

There was a well-established African-American community between the Transylvania Tannery property and downtown Brevard on the west side of Caldwell Street.  Around 1910 a school was built on West Main Street for African-American children.  In 1920 Rosenwald funds were used to help expand the school.  Since that time the area has been known as the Rosenwald community.

Jip Mills’ Store on Mills Avenue. 
 Callie Mills later operated a beauty parlor there.  

Then it served as apartments.

Rosenwald was actually made up of several smaller neighborhoods though.  These include The Flats, Georgia Hill, Goose Hollow, Greasy Corner and Hemphill Circle.  In the days of segregation there were numerous businesses located in Rosenwald.  These includes grocery stores operated by Jip Mills, Annie Bell Killian, Sherman Crite, Jr., Mattie Pierce and Dorothy Hill; cafes owned by Grady Elliott, Roy Whitesides, Ed & Ophelia Hutchinson, Sam & Winona Whitesides, George Wilks, Frank Kilgore, Norvail Mooney and Hub Langston.  Victor Betsill and William Henry Hutchinson had barbershops, Callie Mills and Evon Kelly ran beauty parlors and George Bailey and Ed Killian both operated taxi services.  There were construction, masonry, janitorial, garbage, real estate and other businesses owned by African-American as well.  There were also a number of boarding houses in the Rosenwald community.

Hub Langston’s Café on Carver St. 

Mattie Pierce had a café in the building later.  

She added the cinderblock addition for a billiard’s room.

In addition, there were four other African-American communities in Transylvania County with strong ties to Rosenwald.  These included Glade Creek, French Broad, Pinnacle and Frog Bottom.

During the month of February there will be a display created by Edith Darity celebrating the history of Transylvania County’s African-Americans on the 2^nd floor at the Library.

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.