Early Families Earned Income From Agriculture

During the past three weeks Picturing the Past has looked at the role community clubs have played in Transylvania County since their establishment in the 1950s.  This week’s focus is on how families in these rural communities earned and supplemented their income.

Traditionally, agriculture was vital to the local economy.   Families who lived in the rural areas of the county operated small farms, raising crops and livestock to meet their needs.  By the 1950s rural residents were looking for ways to increase their income and meet the challenges of a changing economy.

The Bearwallow Springs Jelly House in the Sapphire-Whitewater community
sold jams, jellies and preserves.  They employed kitchen help and purchased
produce from local residents.  In 1962 they expanded to accommodate the
growing business.

The annual reports required for community clubs participating in development programs offer a picture of some of the changes taking place.  They reported how many families in their community operated full-time farms and part-time farms, the number of individuals with full-time and part-time jobs outside of the farm and ways families boosted their income through both farm and non-farm sources.

In 1957 the Balsam Grove community reported only two full-time farm families.  However, there were 59 part-time farmers and no families identified themselves as non-farm families.  Only 28 individuals were employed full-time at non-farm jobs.

Mr. Whitfield, Extension Forest Specialist, NC State University
instructs a group of Little River residents at a Christmas tree
farm in 1967.  Also pictured: Neil Hamilton,
Merrimon Shuford (Soil Conservation Service), Chan Hubbard
and Clark Grissom (Forest Service).

In the valley surrounding the Little River community there were 17 full-time farm families, 30 part-time farmers and 100 non-farm families in 1957.  Seventy-five individuals were employed full-time and 25 part-time outside of farming.  By 1967 the number of full-time farms had dropped to 10, while part-time farm families increased to 69.  There were also 115 non-farm families.  The number of people employed full-time in non-farming jobs had jumped to 222, with 26 people in part-time positions.

The Cathey’s Creek community, located just outside of Brevard, had six full-time and 15 part-time farms in 1970.  In addition, there were 219 non-farm families.

Farm families were able to increase their income by implementing practices learned from educational programs developed by community club programs such as planting high yield varieties of corn or alfalfa, increasing feed production for livestock and expanding into new products, like Christmas trees or trout farming.  They were also encouraged to work closely with the Agricultural Extension Services, Cattleman’s Association and other agencies.

Outside jobs included house cleaning, child care, handyman services and school bus drivers.  There were family owned businesses like grocery stores and small shops in many communities.  Individuals were self-employed as beauticians, carpenters, mechanics and in other service related jobs.  Families used their resources and skills to create handcrafted items, furniture or artwork to sell.  Others had cabins or trailers that they rented to seasonal visitors.

Numbers varied from community to community but the general trend over time was toward fewer full-time farm families and more individuals employed in non-farming occupations.  By the 1980s and 1990s more individuals were commuting to full-time jobs in Brevard, Rosman or outside 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 828-884-1820.

Community Clubs: An Essential Part For Developing Communities

As Community Clubs throughout the Transylvania County grew in the mid-20^th century they worked to develop programs for all ages.  Community dinners, holiday parties and other entertainments were common but they also sponsored clubs and educational programs for both youth and adults. 

Roadside clean-up in the See Off community included the removal of
numerous old cars along roadways in 1973.

Many programs focused on improving the appearance of their communities through projects such as roadside clean-up, adding signage and landscaping.  Members held fund raisers for a variety of projects.  They built floats for the Christmas parades in Brevard and Rosman.  The youth of the Cedar Mountain made their community and the state more welcoming by beautifying the triangle at the state line.  In the See Off community the youth helped maintain the community center, church and cemetery grounds.

This group from the Beaver 4-H Club in the Dunn's Rock community
learned about tractor maintenance in 1955.

Youth clubs including 4-H, scout troops, Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers were sponsored by community clubs.  They participated in educational programs, community wide events and recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, swimming, cookouts, sock-hops and much more.  The youth also went on field trips to places like Shining Rock Wilderness, Table Rock State Pack, Cherokee’s “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama and Christmas shopping in Asheville.

For adults there were also a variety of activities from exercise classes to short-wave radio groups.  In the 1950s the Dunn’s Rock community undertook a 5-year project planting different varieties of corn as an agricultural demonstration for farmers.  In 1967 the Little River community took a leading role in organizing opposition to a T.V.A. proposal for dams on the French Broad River in Transylvania, Henderson and Buncombe counties.

Several communities helped establish volunteer fire departments, worked to improve roads and pushed for increased mail and telephone service.  Communities reported the weekly news for publication in the Transylvania Times.  The Transylvania County Library bookmobile had regular stops at several community centers.

Many of these Community Clubs continue today with programs for residents and visitors alike as a means of enriching and preserving the unique character of their communities.

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.

Community Clubs Improve The Home Lives of Families

Last week Picturing the Past introduced curbside market projects developed by local community clubs to improve their rural neighborhoods and the lives of local residents.  These week’s focus is on projects to improve the home lives of families within the local, rural communities. 

The agencies that oversaw community clubs throughout the area were Western North Carolina Associated Communities and Western North Carolina Community Development Association.  They required an annual summary reporting development programs in multiple categories.  Better Family Living included home improvements ranging from painting to adding running water and installing bathroom fixtures.  Communities reported the number new homes built, new mobile homes added and new vehicles purchased.  They also reported information like major electrical appliances added to homes, improvements in landscaping and the number of families who had regular medical and dental check-ups, health insurance and even bank accounts, along with how many subscribed to a newspaper or magazine.

Canned goods prepared by Little River residents were displayed during their
community fair in 1957.

This information gives a picture of life in rural communities of Western North Carolina beginning in the 1950s.  In 1952 the Little River Community Club reported that six homes in their community added indoor plumbing, 18 homes had installed telephones and 16 families had purchased televisions sets.  The Balsam Grove community reported 62 families (100%) had an adequate home garden in 1958.  They froze 1,242 quarts of food and canned 4,840 quarts.

In 1965 Sapphire-Whitewater had six new houses built, eleven homes with major renovations and four new mobile homes added to the community.  Twelve families in the Dunn's Rock community painted the exterior of their homes in 1975.

Men and women pitched in to build an extension on a home in the
Dunn's Rock community in 1957.

In the later years the annual report focused more on activity descriptions and photographs.  Next week Picturing the Past will cover the numerous community and youth programs created by the Community Clubs.

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.

Community Clubs Help Bring People Together

In the late 1940s two groups, Western North Carolina Associated Communities and Western North Carolina Community Development Association, undertook efforts to assist small rural communities scattered through Western North Carolina address a wide range of community needs. 

Transylvania County’s rural neighborhoods began organizing through community clubs in the early-to-mid 1950s.  Groups renovated old schoolhouses or built new buildings to serve as community centers in Balsam Grove, Cathey’s Creek, Cedar Mountain, Dunn’s Rock, Eastatoe, Lake Toxaway, Little River, Pisgah Forest, Quebec, Sapphire-Whitewater, Seeoff, and Silversteen.

The goal was to strengthen communities by bringing people together through educational, civic and social activities.  Educational opportunities focused on agricultural improvements, home extension and 4-H clubs.  Projects covered a wide range of topics including infrastructure improvements, like paving roads, rural electrification and expanding telephone service; housing and home improvements brought renovations including indoor plumbing to older homes and also added new homes to communities; and entrepreneur opportunities centered on boosting family incomes by using the resources available to them.

The Dunn's Rock Community Roadside Market had nine stalls for the sale
of produce, preserves, flowers, furniture and other goods, 1955.

In 1955 the Dunn’s Rock Community Club decided to build and operate a curb market for the purpose of allowing community members to earn extra income through the sale of fresh vegetables and fruit, baked goods, dairy products, canned goods, flowers and a wide variety of handcrafts.  The market was constructed near Mill Hill Grocery and operated on Saturday mornings from July 2 through October 8.  Gross sales their first year were $1157.35, with 5% going to the community center for expenses.

Large wooden panels folded down on the Cedar Mountain Community Market
building providing trays for produce and goods on market days, 1958.

The following summer the Cedar Mountain Community Club built a small cement block and wood building near their community center to serve as the community market center.  Market times were Tuesday and Friday mornings for a total of 21 days during the summer in 1956.  Total sales were $1375 with a portion going back to the community center fund.  Other community clubs operated curb markets starting in the mid-1950s as well.

Each community was required to complete an annual summary reporting development within their community.  Categories included Better Family Living, Community Programs, Youth Programs and Family Income Development.  Over the next few weeks Picturing the Past will look at some of the activities and projects Transylvania County community’s undertook. 

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.

Donated Scrapbook Offers A Glimpse of An Era of the Buck Forest Area

The Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library recently received a donation of the Buck Forest Scrapbook from the Friends of DuPont State Forest. The scrapbook appears to have been a promotional item for the Buck Forest Club.

In 1941 Frank Coxe organized the exclusive Buck Forest Club, permitting hunting and fishing for its members on the property.  The club leased over 5000 acres that had been owned by the Coxe family for many years.

The scrapbook includes a map showing Buck Forest in relationship to Asheville and Hendersonville, a hand drawn diagram of the Little River within the boundary of Buck Forest, photographs, newspaper clippings and a postcard illustrate the property.  Handwritten captions of the river and waterfalls beginning one mile above Corn Shoals and running to the head of Cascade Lake describe distances, elevation drops and fishing opportunities. 

Bridal Veil Cabin

There are an additional dozen photographs showing accommodations available to club members.  One description reads, “Two views of the Bridal Veil cabin, built in 1936.  This house, together with the Stillwell House, Hooker Cabin, and the Club House are to be available for the exclusive use of club members as they see fit.  Bridal Veil cabin is completely furnished and has running water already installed.  There is an indoor and outdoor fireplace.  The interior dimensions are 30 x 30 with kitchen extension.  There is an outside bunkhouse for a servant.”  Several of these photographs show the interior and exterior of the club house located across from High Falls.

At some point the original stained wood hinged front and back covers of the scrapbook were removed and photocopies were made.  Those, along with the 20-page scrapbook, have all been laminated.

              

The club house offered a view of High Falls.

The scrapbook, which dates from the early 1940s, offers a glimpse into one era in the rich history of the Buck Forest area.  The club leased the property until April 1956 when the timber rights were sold to the Carr Lumber Company.  In September 1956 E. I. DuPont purchased over 10,000 acres from the Frank Coxe estate and the Guion Farm in Henderson County to build the first full-scale silicon plant in the United States.

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.