DuPont State Recreational Forest Holds Deep History

High Falls in present day DuPont State Forest has long been a popular destination.  Beginning in the 1850s the Little River Turnpike ran from the valley through Grange, Buck Forest and Cedar Mountain to Jones Gap Road.  Along the way travelers could stop at the Buck Forest Hotel and spend several days exploring nearby sites.

Early newspaper accounts provide numerous stories of adventurers.  A 1929 Brevard News remembrance states, “In the days of our grandparents and great-grandparents, it was a favorite amusement for the young bloods to get up a party and spend a week or two at Buck Forest, with side trips to Caesar’s Head, Table Rock, Cedar Mountain, Rich Mountain and Connestee.  The parties often contained twenty or thirty couples.”  They spent their days exploring and their evenings dancing at the Buck Forest Hotel or lounging on its long shady piazza.

High Falls is located on the Little River downstream from Bridal Veil Falls and above Triple Falls.  At approximately 120 feet it is the highest fall on the river.  The river drops down an incline plane of granite and fans out in a sheet, divided by projecting portions of the ledge with a few small, hardy trees.  At the base of falls are masses of boulders varying in size, some weighing thirty to forty tons.

The Little River could by forded on a natural rock base,
except on rare occasions when the water was high.
Both photos are from a Bromfield family album and
were taken in the early 1900s.

The 1929 article includes a description of access, “The road crosses the river, by ford, about fifty yards above the top of the fall.  You have to be almost to the fall before you can see it.  Many cross the ford without even realizing that they are at the falls, although the roar tells them there are falls not far away.”

By the early 1900s changes had left the hotel off the beaten path and it had fallen into ruin.  The article concludes, “The scenery and the falls, still make the section a most attractive one, and it has numerous visitors every year.  But the noise and dust of the passing herd, the rumble of the old stage coach, the halloo of the hunting parties, the wailing minor chords of the old string band, and the calling of the figures of the Virginia Reel and others of the old fashioned dances, are no more.”

Today, High Falls and the surrounding Buck Forest area is part of DuPont State Forest.  Staff from the Transylvania County Library will be at the Friends of DuPont Forest Festival on Saturday, September 28 sharing a few stories and photos from the Buck Forest of yesteryear.  Stop by and see us!

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.

'Explore Over 100 Scrapbooks Documenting Transylvania County' At State Digital Site

This week’s Picturing the Past article comes from the Digital North Carolina Blog by the staff of the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center which features highlights from the collections at DigitalNC, an online library of primary sources from institutions across North Carolina. 

This image from the 1958 Balsam Grove scrapbook is a good
example of the types of information and photos you might find;
it shows newly placed town signs.

The Transylvania County Library is fortunate to have numerous items available online through the website (digitalnc.org) including newspapers, photographs, high school annuals and Transylvania County architectural survey documents from 1990-91.

Their recent entry titled, “Explore Over 100 Scrapbooks Documenting Transylvania County Communities” featured our newest contributions.

From Balsam Grove to Brevard, we’ve recently added over 100 scrapbooks documenting communities and organization in Transylvania County.  These scrapbooks were scanned by the Transylvania County Library, which forwarded the scans to us for DigitalNC.  They represent a number of organizations, many focused on community development. 

·        Community Development Club of Balsam Grove (1954-2011)

·        Community Development and Home Demonstration Clubs of Cedar Mountain (1955-1974)

·        Community Development and Home Demonstration Clubs of Little River (1952-2011)

·        Community Development Club of Sapphire-Whitewater (1962-1983)

·        Fortnightly and Junior Women’s Clubs of Brevard (1919-1977)

·        Home Demonstration Club of Glady Branch (1955-1958)

·        Little River Band

·        Friends of the Transylvania County Library (1957-2006)

·        Transylvania County Library Children’s Department (1979-1998)

Community development scrapbooks from the 1950s-1960s are common throughout North Carolina.  These typically document efforts at beautification of homes and public areas, upgrading infrastructure like hospitals and sanitation, and fostering community spirit through local gatherings.  These scrapbooks include photographs, many with descriptions and captions, along with newspaper clippings, and ephemera from programs and events.  Search all of them along with other items from Transylvania County at the Transylvania County Library’s partner page, digitalnc.org/institutions/transylvania-county-library/ .

New items are regularly added to DigitalNC which covers communities statewide.  Another 60 scrapbooks have been sent from Transylvania County communities and organizations and will be added this fall.

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.

How The Pisgah Tavern Served Transylvania County

In the 1940s Highway 64 (today Old Hendersonville Hwy) was the main route into Brevard from the east.  The road was used by visitors traveling into town, locals traveling to work at the Ecusta Paper Mill and anyone coming from or going to Hendersonville or Asheville. 

 

In front of the Pisgah Tavern, February 14, 1942.  Photo includes Leslie
Coleman (4th from left), Kathleen Wilson (5th), Jean Dixon (6th) and
owner, Fred Hunter (7th).

It was two-and-one-half miles from downtown Brevard to Pisgah Forest.  About midway along this heavily traveled thoroughfare was the Pisgah Tavern established by Fred and Gladys Hunter around 1941.

The Pisgah Tavern was a popular spot for a cold drink.  A newspaper notice stated that beginning April 1, 1942 the cost for 16 oz. and 12 oz. beers would be raised to 20 and 15 cents respectively, at several Transylvania establishments including the Pisgah Tavern, to cover increased wholesale prices.  The tavern sold wine and soft drinks, as well.  The business included a café serving sandwiches, homemade chili, pit BBQ, fresh ham, fried chicken and sizzling t-bone steaks. 

On May 9, 1944 the tavern held a Gala Opening of their new open-air Beer Garden.  Entertainment for the event included a floor show, tap dancing and free bingo with prizes.

In 1947 the Hunters opened the Pisgah Motor Court across the highway from the Pisgah Tavern.  It was the first motel style accommodation for tourists in Transylvania County.  Originally there was an 8-room unit.  Each modern room had its own bath and kitchenette, allowing for privacy.  There was also ample parking.  In addition, there was a cottage available for tourists and plans for expansion.

The Pisgah Motor Court included four cottages and 10 motel units, plus a large home when the Hunters sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Brennan in early 1955.  Fred and Gladys Hunter later owned and operated the Brevard Motor Lodge (present day Food Lion shopping center) for a few years in the early 1960s.

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 Fair Was A Special Time In Our Area

It’s Fair time!  All across the country fairs are held each autumn.  Whether it is a small county fair or large state fair, these events bring people together to celebrate agricultural achievements and the successful harvest.  They are an important part of farm culture.

Deeply rooted in agriculture, fairs are intended to educate and entertain. There are exhibit buildings and livestock barns to wander through.  Show rings, rodeos, tractor pulls, concerts and a variety of events provide amusement.  There is the midway, with the Ferris wheel and a multitude of whirling, spinning rides; games of chance and prizes to win; and corn dogs, kettle corn and cotton candy to enjoy!  The sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells of the fair offer something for all of the senses.

The first mention of a local county fair appeared in the April 17, 1903 edition of the Sylvan Valley News.  The idea resurfaced several times over the next 14 years but it was not until October 31, 1917 that the first Transylvania County Fair was held.

Prizes were awarded in the areas of livestock, farm products, fancy work and culinary.  Livestock categories included horses, mules, beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep and poultry.  Farm products were corn, oats, rye, soybeans, apples, butter, honey and a variety of vegetables.  Fancy work was comprised of crocheted, tatted, embroidered, quilted and sewn goods.  Culinary included preserves and canned goods, as well as bakery items.  Prizes were given at both the adult and student level.  There were also educational exhibits prepared by students.  Students competed in the 100 yard dash, broad jump and high jump in two age groups, as well.

A county fair was held for three years before it fell to the wayside.  During the 1920s there was talk of reviving the fair but it was not until agricultural teachers and students from both Brevard and Rosman High schools held student fairs in 1930 that the community got behind the idea again.  Successful county fairs were held in five of the next six years.

In 1937 it was decided that a fair would not be held due to the lack of suitable fair grounds.  The Transylvania Times suggested the county home farm in Selica as a location.  Fair grounds were never established though.

Mary Jane Howard of the Cedar Mountain community won the
grand prize for her French style green beans at the 1977
Transylvania County Fair.  She also won several red and
blue ribbons.

It was nearly 40 years before the idea of a full-scale county fair was once again purposed.  The Transylvania Bicentennial County Fair was held at Camp Straus August 23-28, 1976.  The event was a big success and a county fair was held for at least three more years.

Since 1994 the North Carolina Mountain State Fair has been held at the WNC Agricultural Center where Transylvania County is typically well represented each September.  The North Carolina State Fair has been held in Raleigh each year, with a few exceptions, since 1853.

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.