Christmas Lights Decorate Brevard's Main Streets

Did you know the first National Christmas tree was a 48-foot balsam fir located on the Ellipse south of the White House in 1923?  A crowd of spectators watched as President Coolidge flipped the switch to light the tree decorated with 2500 red, white and green electric bulbs. 

It was another four years before lights safe for outdoor use were more widely available.  Seeing an opportunity General Electric and other distribution companies soon began sponsoring decorative lighting contests. 

A winter snow decorates the Transylvania County courthouse.

The first mention of lights being used for downtown holiday decorations in Brevard was in 1931.  A front page article in the Christmas Eve edition of the Brevard News reads, “Christmas is here! The magnificent cedar tree standing gracefully in the center of the square, bedecked with ornaments and sparkling decorations cheerfully proclaims the spirit of Christmas.  Lights gleaming red and green are stretched along the main thoroughfares and the store windows arranged with suggestive gifts and tinsel add quaint touches.

The tree was decorated and erected through the influence and labors of the ladies of the Women’s Bureau and the lights were hung by the town and individuals and institutions of Brevard who were interested in dressing up the town for Christmas.”

Over the next several years the lights were loaned out several times and damaged upon return.  So in 1936 replacement parts and new strings of colored lights were purchased.  The decision was made to no longer loan them out.  Duke Power provided the labor and equipment to hang the lights.  The Brevard Kiwanis Club and local business leaders raised funds to pay for the electricity and new materials.

In 1938 it was noted that, “Brevard business places have gone in for windows of a prettier type this year, and especially is this noted in the grocery fronts. Two striking windows are those presented by Ruth’s Beauty Shop on Jordan Street and the Quality Beauty Salon on Main Street.”  Front yards and porches were also being decorated in the residential sections of town.

The following year Christmas greenery and other decorations were added to the shopping district. In addition, a Christmas lighting contest sponsored by the Brevard Garden Club was held.  Prizes were awarded by best outdoor lighting or window effect.  Residents in Brevard and throughout the county were encouraged to participate.  The Brevard Garden Club also had Christmas trees and greens, holly, wreathes and other decorations for sale.

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.