Camps Have Drawn Children For a Century

Tourism in Transylvania County in the early 20^th century increased dramatically when the railroad reached Brevard and then Lake Toxaway.  People from the lowlands and from the North spent the summer months in the cool mountains of Western North Carolina. 

Occurring to a 1920s tourism brochure it was an ideal destination for families as camps provided children “the pleasures and benefits of an outdoor life” while “parents are enjoying the pleasures of the hotel or boarding house at which they may be staying, and at the same time are relieved of the responsibility of looking after their lively offspring.”

It has long been reported that the first summer camp in Transylvania County, French Broad Camp, opened in 1913. Camp Sapphire followed in 1914.  However a recent search of the Sylvan Valley News proved that Camp Sapphire actually began in 1913 and French Broad Camp in 1914. 

Camp Sapphire was located at the foot of Elk Mountain on property originally leased from W. H. Allison and included Deer Park Lake.  It was an athletic and educational camp for boys, ages 10-20.  J.R. Sandifer, “Captain” Bill Fetzer, and Bob Fetzer were the first directors of the camp.  

Camp Sapphire closed around 1940.  In 1945 Ecusta purchased the property to use as a recreational area for their employees and families.  It was renamed Camp Straus.

Camp Sapphire

French Broad Camp tents, 1916

Major Henry E. Raines visited Brevard and Camp Sapphire in August 1913 with the intention of starting a boys’ camp here.  Major Raines and the camp were associated with the Citadel in Charleston, SC.  In addition to traditional camp activities inspections, drills, reveille and taps were required.  Named the French Broad Camp, it was located on 60 acres near Wilson’s Bridge east of Brevard.  The camp operated until the 1930s.

Winthrop College operated Camp Joy for girls in 1916 and 1917.  They offered swimming, tennis, basketball, nature study, outdoor sketching and conversational French.

Swimming at Keystone Camp

Keystone Camp for girls was established in 1916 and moved to Transylvania County in 1918.  It is the longest running summer camp in the county.  Keystone Camp was founded by Miss Florence Ellis and Miss Fannie Webb Holt.  Miss Ellis was the great-great aunt of Page Ives Lemel, the current owner.  They moved to the present location in 1919.

In 1921 there were “eight camps forming a circle around Brevard.”  By 1929 there were twelve, five of which are still in operation today.  They are Camp Carolina, Camp Illahee, Eagle’s Nest, Keystone Camp, and Rockbrook Camp.

To learn more about Transylvania’s Summer Camps visit The Museum of Transylvania Heritage on West Main St.  Next week Picturing the Past will feature some of the lesser known camps of the county.

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.