Smathers Was Household Business Name

Paul Smathers worked in the automotive and machine business in Transylvania and Buncombe counties.  In 1913 he started an auto transfer business in Brevard with his father-in-law, T.W. Whitmire.  Together they also co-founded Whitmire-Smathers Motor Company in Asheville.  

Walk behind gas mower.

Smathers and Whitmire operated automotive businesses in both Asheville and Brevard until the mid-1930s.  In 1937 Smathers went into the machinery business in Brevard.

Acme riding tractor with cultivator.

On March 24, 1943 Paul Smathers purchased the Cash & Carry Grocery building on the corner of North Broad and East French Broad streets.  Smathers Manufacturing Company designed, built and distributed small utility tractors and equipment.  World War II had led to a large shortage of machinery.  Smathers was able to use old, discarded machinery to build farm equipment that was in big demand.  

For a couple of years in the early 1950s Smathers became a stockholder with the Acme Manufacturing Company and operated as a Southern representative for the Wisconsin based company.  He later sold his Acme interests and return to operating his own machine and welding shop.

The shop operated under the name Power Equipment Company into the mid-1950s.  By 1957 Brevard Auto had moved to the location.  Brevard Auto built a new building behind the old Smather’s building around 1970.

Smathers Manufacturing located in the former Cash and Carry

on N. Broad and E. French Broad streets,

Photographs of Smather’s business and machinery sometimes carry the Smathers name and at other time the Acme name. 

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 828-884-3151 X242.

During The Acme Manufacturing Co. period, 1951-52.