County Featured in The State Magazine

The first state magazine for North Carolina was published on June 3, 1933.  “The State:  A Weekly Survey of North Carolina” provided readers with a look at happenings across the state.  Editor Carl Goerch stated that the goal was “merely to disseminate the news of North Carolina.”  Included were articles about the state government, agriculture, manufacturing, businesses, people, places and events.

In December 1952 the subtitle was changed to “Down Home in North Carolina” and in May 1954 the publication was changed to every other week. 

The State, August 29, 1964 cover

When Bill Sharpe became the editor and publisher in 1951 he began writing general descriptions of each of North Carolina’s 100 counties for The State.  Sharpe expanded on these county features in writing his A New Geography of North Carolina, which was published in four volumes from 1954 to 1965.

Brevard College was experiencing growth.

The August 29, 1964 issue featured Transylvania County.  The lead article, “Through the Woods to Prosperity” presented an overview of a prosperous and growing county.  Additional articles spotlighted the Pisgah National Forest, the Rosman Tracking Station, Brevard College, Brevard Music Center, Lake Toxaway and Transylvania’s large industries—Ecusta, DuPont and American Thread.  

Several Transylvania County businesses ran advertisements in the issue.  The back cover was a full page ad and description for “Sherwood Forest:  The Audubon Colony in the Blue Ridge Mountains”, 8 miles south of Brevard.

The State became a monthly magazine in 1973.  In August 1996 new owner Barnard Mann wrote, “For 63 years this magazine has told wonderful stories about people and places that make up our state.  We thought, therefore, that a more fitting and descriptive title for this magazine would be Our State.”

North Carolina’s state magazine has offered a view of the state for over 80 years.  The Library has a complete collection from 1982 forward and many issues dating back to 1939.  Back issues from 1933-2011 can be view at North Carolina Digital Collection, digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/home/ourstate.

The Moltz Mansion on the rebuilt Lake Toxaway
was key to county development in 1964.

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.