Franklin Hotel Offered Several Amenities

This photograph shows the size the Franklin Hotel from the front.
Large wings of both sides of the back created a V shaped building.

The Franklin Hotel opened in Brevard in July 1900.  J. Frances Hayes and his business partners had purchased the Hendersonville-Brevard Railway Telegraph and Telephone Company, renamed it Transylvania Railroad Company and planned to expand the line beyond Brevard.  They agreed to construct a luxury hotel in Brevard to garner support for a $25,000 bond to aid in financing the rail line extension.

The 80-acre property included tennis courts and a small lake in a park-like setting.  The hotel, which could accommodate 150-200 guests, had a large veranda where cool evenings could be enjoyed.  There was regularly an orchestra and dancing.

Franklin Hotel Dining Room.

An early tourism brochure described it as, “thoroughly modern and luxurious in appointments and furnishings, and ranks as one of the best resort hotels in America.  It occupies the highest point in Brevard, and is surrounded by a park of eighty acres, overlooking in the French Broad river and valley.  Every room is an outside room with a pleasant outlook and commanding view of mountain and valley, and many are arranged en suite, with private bath, for families.”

Carl Schenck states in his book, Birth of Forestry in America, “rooms with real baths were obtainable, and my frequent overnight stays in Brevard ceased to be disturbed by fleas, bedbugs, and rats.”

Despite the wonderful accolades the hotel was sold four times by 1909.  In January 1909 T.W. Whitmire and other investors purchased the property.   Lots from the hotel’s 80 acres were to be sold for $500 each.  Conditions for lot purchase included building a residence costing at least $2000 on the property within 2 years.

Over the next 40 years the hotel changed hands numerous times.  In 1919 J.C. and H.W. Wooten purchased the hotel with plans to update and improve it.  In 1925 additional improvements were made, including a two-story addition to the east wing and a screened porch on the back.  In 1936 it was announced that steam heat would be added to allow for winter guests as well.

By the late 1940’s the old hotel was showing its age.  For several years Miss Annie Shipman was the manager.  Transylvania Times articles show that it was open for summer visitors at least through the 1949 season.

On September 17, 1950 the congregation of the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church voted to purchase the hotel and 7 acres.  The hotel dining room became the sanctuary, bedrooms were converted into Sunday School classrooms, and a new Manse was built behind the old hotel.  In March 1956 the old hotel was torn down to make way for construction of the current church. 

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.