Workforce Changed As Population Increased

The population of Brevard quadrupled between 1900 and 1930.  With this large increase the local economy and workforce was changing.  Many people continued to make their living in agriculture but they often supplemented it with other jobs.  Others left the farm, moving into Brevard where there was a growing need for skilled workers.

Construction workers at the Aethelwold Hotel.

Builders and contractors, like the Kilpatrick Brothers and J.A. Miller, hired both tradesmen and day laborers to help with the construction of the brick buildings that were replacing the old wooden shops downtown.  The booming housing market also required construction workers.  J.M. Kilpatrick’s time book for the construction of Silvermont in 1916-1917 lists worker's names, the days and hours worked, rate of pay (12.5-50₵ per hour), and monthly pay. 

Merchants opened shops in the new downtown buildings owned by the McMinns, Joe Clayton, Joseph Picklesimer, Thomas Shipman, and others.  These shops needed bookkeepers, clerks, sales people, and tradesmen.  There were bakeries, barber shops, butcher shops, clothing, furniture, grocery, hardware, millinery, and shoe stores.  

City and county government employed a number of individuals as bookkeepers, clerks, law enforcement officers, and in other positions.  

Banks and professional offices required trained workers as well.  The 1900 U.S. Census lists five lawyers in Brevard—William Breese, William Duckworth, Daniel English, Waightstill Gash, and Welch Galloway.  There were also five physicians listed within the town of Brevard. They were Edwin English, Charles Hunt, Mitchell King, William Wallis, and George Young.

Some of the Franklin Hotel staff.

As tourism increased service industry jobs grew as well.  The Aethelwold and Franklin Hotels employed bellboys, clerks, cooks, and housekeepers.  The Franklin also had groundskeepers.  

In addition there were numerous livery services and blacksmiths in the early 1900s.  Early tourism brochures advertised saddle horses and carriages available to lease at Brevard Livery and King Livery.  In the mid-1920s automobile dealerships and service stations began replacing the horse and buggy and livery stables.  

All of these offered employment opportunities to residents in and around Brevard.  In addition there were several manufacturing and industrial businesses within the town of Brevard during its first three decades.  Next week Picturing the Past will feature the Brevard Cotton Mill and other manufacturers.

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.