Taxi Cabs Offered Sightseeing Tours

An article in the June 11, 1920 Brevard News announced, “The Brevard Taxi Line which is a motor transportation service for carrying anyone anywhere they want to go at any time, has placed its office on Main St. in close proximity to the Court House Square.”  Peter Verdery was the manager.

About the same time Jim Bromfield operated a taxi stand with five Fords on Whitmire Street near the depot.  A.H. King later bought Bromfield’s business and moved it to W. Main St.

Siniard's Taxi Stand on E. Main St.
beside the current Humane Society Thrift Shop, August 1955.
From left:  Eck Simms, Luther Woods, Hale Siniard, unknown

Hale Siniard started his taxi service in a Model-T in 1921.  In a 1948 interview Siniard stated that in the early days a trip to Caesar’s Head took the entire day.  Going to Asheville or Hendersonville and back was a two-day venture.  Siniard averaged about 300 miles a week in the 1920s, by 1948 it was over 1000 miles per week.  He drove folks anywhere they needed or wanted to go, including three trips to California.  He would regularly take Dr. Lyday “for a ride” that would last a few days.  During the 43 years Siniard operated Star Taxi he mainly drove Packards.  After Siniard retired Star Taxi continued under different ownership until 1975.

Corn's Taxi operated from the Times Arcade alley on W. Main St.

Mack Corn began his taxi company in the early 1940s.  At a time when gas was rationed taxis were the main way to get around town.  The cars did not have radios so drivers would return to the taxi stand after dropping someone off to get information for their next fare.  A typical trip cost less than a dollar.  Corn, who mainly drove Pontiacs, had a fleet as large as six vehicles at one point.  Corn’s Taxi operated until 1963.

Edward Killian was the first African-American to operate a taxi company in Brevard.  Killian’s Cabs was in business throughout the 1950s.

During the mid-1900s there were a number of other taxi cab companies that operated in Transylvania County.  Safety Cab was located on W. Jordan St. from 1942 until 1978.  City Cabs and Brevard Cab Service were long-time businesses.  Others that ran for briefer periods were Bailey’s Taxi, Martin Taxi, Parton Taxi, Red Bird Taxi, Thomas Cabs, and Veterans’ Cab.  In addition to short trips around town and longer trips out-of-town many offered sightseeing tours.

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 828-884-1820.

County Had 30 Full Service Gas Stations

Dill's Esso Station on the Asheville Highway, 1965.  The service bays are the home of White Squirrel Car Wash today.

 When the first motorized vehicles arrived in Transylvania County in the early 1900s drivers purchased gas from businesses, such as general stores or hardware stores that had storage tanks.  The first mention of a filling station in local newspapers was May 27, 1921 when it was reported that Robert Whitmire of Greenville would build a station “on the site of the old laundry building near Smith’s garage.”  In March 1922 J.B. Bromfield began construction of a Texaco station on Caldwell St.  This would later be the home of McCrary Auto in the 1930s. 

Inside Patton's Service Station on the southwest corner of
Broad and Morgan streets, 1948.

Within the next month several others announced similar ventures.  A Standard filling station was built on W. Main St. by L.B. Houston and J.A. Miller.  The office was constructed of gray granite.  Carl McCrary opened his first tire and battery shop there in 1928.  The “old rock station” stood for over 45 years until it was torn down to make room for the new City Hall and Fire Department in the late 1960s. 

An attendant at these full-service stations would pump the gas for customers, clean the windows, and often check the oil and tire pressure.  He collected the payment as well so the customer never left their vehicle.

The Atlantic Station on the Hendersonville Highway just west of the Dollar General.

Full-service filling stations typically had a garage or repair shop also.  They offered a wide range of services, including battery replacement, checking and replacing belts and hoses, brake work, lubrication, tune-ups, tires, wheel balancing, and even washing and waxing of vehicles.  Many also offered road service for motorists who broke down on the road or at home.

Taylor's Esso Station was located next door to the Brevard Post Office in 1961.
Eldridge's Marathon station and service center is located there today.

Although the first self-service filling or gas station in the United States opened in 1947 prior to 1970 most stations remained full-service.  In 1969 there were approximately 30 full-service stations in Transylvania County.  Today it is difficult to find a filling station in the U.S. that offers full-service and includes a repair garage.

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 828-884-1820.

Car Dealerships Offered Several Services

Over the past two weeks Picturing the Past has looked at two of Transylvania’s automobile dealerships.  Whitmire Motor operated in the 1920s and McCrary Auto from the early 1930s through the mid-1990s.  Throughout the 1900s there were numerous automotive shops that sold both new and used automobiles and provided repair services.

In addition to McCrary Auto, three of the longest operating new car dealerships were Duckworth (later Duckworth-Lyda, then Lyda-McCrary) Motor Company, Hayes Motor Company, and Goodwill Motor Company.

Duckworth Motor Company, 1938.

Walter Duckworth had worked at Duckworth Drug prior to serving in the Naval Corps during WWI.  He became the local Ford dealer and opened Duckworth Motor Company in the late 1930s.  Few Lyda had worked for Ecusta for many years but got tired of the travel associated with his position.  In 1958 Lyda jumped at the opportunity to join his uncle in the automotive business and became a partner with Duckworth.  Walter Duckworth retired two years later, selling his share of the business to Jud McCrary.  McCrary, a mechanic, had been the Parts Manager at McCrary Auto.  Lyda-McCrary Ford was located across Broad Street from the original Duckworth Motor Company at the Appletree Street intersection.  They closed in 1978.

Inside Hayes Motor Company, 1960.

Freeman Hayes had owned and operated Hayes Motor Company for many years when he ran for and was elected sheriff of Transylvania County in 1942.  As sheriff he was paid $260 per month.  From his pay Hayes had to pay a full-time deputy and for operating expenses.  He also had to furnish his own vehicle.  In December 1944 Hayes resigned as sheriff because of the low pay for the office and to devote more time to his automotive business.  He continued to operate the business until 1974. 

Goodwill Motor Company, 1951.

On December 30, 1944 W.L. Baughan and Vernon Frick joined into partnership with W.C. Burrell in his automobile business and repair shop located across N. Broad Street from the present Transylvania County Library.  In November 1948 Frick sold his share to Baughan.  Burrell and Baughan then incorporated the business as Goodwill Motor Company.    Frick built a new building and opened a Buick dealership beside Goodwill Motors in June 1949.  Frick later purchased Goodwill Motors as well.  When Frick retired, due to health reasons, he sold the business to three of his employees.  Goodwill Motor Company closed in 1985.

In addition to selling new cars, all three dealerships sold used cars, had service, repair and body shops, painted cars, and operated a full service filling station.

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 828-884-1820.

Whitmire Motor Co. Was Once a Stable

Roland Whitmire, W.L. Couch, and Rush Whitmire
in the Whitmire Motor show room.

In the 1920s Roland and Rush Whitmire operated Whitmire Motor Company in Brevard.  They were the sons of T.W. Whitmire who owned Whitmire Motor Company in Asheville from 1915-1924.  The elder Whitmire was a prominent businessman in Brevard. 

Brevard’s Whitmire Motor was originally located on Broad St.  In late 1925 they moved to Main St.  Their newly renovated building had previously been a livery stable.  The Whitmires remodeled it to include a show room, repair shop, and parts room, along with an office on the main level.  Storage space was located in the basement, which could be accessed from the back of the building. 

Rush Whitmire served as the sales manager.  The repair shop was run by Luther Cooper.  J.A. Siniard, who had trained as a Chevrolet mechanic, was also employed in the shop.

Whitmire Motor Company closed at the beginning of the Depression.  By 1930 B&B Feed & Seed was operating out of the space.  Later Houston’s Furniture (1941-1990), followed by Grover’s Office Supply (1990-2005) were in the building.  After sitting empty for several years, Jaime’s Creole Brasserie renovated the building and opened in 2014.

On November 3, 1922 The Brevard News ran a full page of poems written to advertise various Brevard businesses, including this one for Whitmire Motor Co.

Lawrence Holt, Parts Department, was a brother-in-law of
Roland and Rush Whitmire.

In these rushing, busy times

Wa’king’s much too slow;

And so we need a motor car

Everywhere we go.

When you want the best in town,

See Whitmire Motor Co.

In Transylvania county there

Are places nice to go

And visit, such as waterfalls,

And views from mountains show.

To get there quick, we buy a car

From Whitmire Motor Co.

When you’re buying motor cars

Sure you want to know

That the one you’re purchasing

Is fixed up right to go.

So if you would be satisfied

See Whitmire Motor Co.

Mechanic Choc Hayes and repair shop foreman Luther Cooper.
Cooper was the adopted son of T.W. & Mattie Whitmire.

Our genial “Whit” is always proud

His bran new cars to show

So hop in with him, Mister,

He’ll take you for a blow,

You’ll close the deal for sure when you

Try Whitmire Motor Co.

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 828-884-1820.

McCrary's Had Several Locations in Brevard

McCrary Tire Service located on Caldwell Street
behind the Clayton Hotel, 1933-1939.

The McCrary family spend nearly 70 years working in the automobile industry in Brevard.  Carl McCrary and his younger brother, Charlie began McCrary Tire and Battery Company in 1928.  Their first shop was located on the corner of West Main and England streets, where the Brevard Fire Department is today.

In the early 1930s, during the depression, the Chevrolet dealership in Brevard closed.  Chevrolet actively recruited Carl McCrary to take over the local franchise.  McCrary initially resisted but finally agreed to a trial period.  By 1933 he had decided to formally become a Chevrolet dealer in Brevard. 

A K&M wrecker in of McCrary Auto on N. Broad Street, 1940-1949.
The building is the home of The Transylvania Times today.

As the business grew McCrary Tire Service relocated to the corner of Caldwell and Probart streets.  Continued growth necessitated another move in 1939.  Renamed McCrary Auto, they moved one block east into a building directly across the street from the county jail which was located behind the courthouse.  They continued to operate a tire and recapping shop at the Caldwell Street location into the late 1940s.

Economic growth in Transylvania County following WWII meant potential sales for bigger, more expensive cars.  McCrary Auto added Oldsmobile to their dealership in 1947.  This addition required more space so once again McCrary Auto relocated.

Tom McCrary (right) and Buddy Wiley in McCrary's Auto's showroom
of their new location, October 1949.

In 1949 they built a new facility on the Asheville Highway on a four and one-half acre lot where Burger King and the Fifth Third Bank are currently.  The October 1949 Grand Opening featured the Briarhopper band from Charlotte, Brevard High cheerleaders, and numerous door prizes.  It was reported that three to four thousand people attended the event.

Tom McCrary, who had grown up in the business, officially went to work there in 1951.  He worked in all aspects of the business and took over as president of the company following his father’s death in 1967.  Tom sold the dealership to Frank Wood in 1979 but continued to operate a body shop, auto parts and service center, and wrecker service until he passed away in November 1994.  Tom McCrary also sold John Deere tractors from 1984-1994.

McCrary Auto, July 1959.

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 828-884-1820.