Whitmires Developed Area Near Railroad

Many of the Whitmire St. homes had low rock walls at the front of the lot.

Whitmire Street was laid out by W.P. and J.C. Whitmire through their property on the north side of Brevard in 1894.  With the arrival of the railroad in Transylvania County and the Brevard Depot being constructed the road benefited the town by providing additional access in that area.  The Whitmires sold lots on both sides of the street from Caldwell Street, which was the main route into Brevard from the north, to Railroad Avenue.   Moderate size homes, mostly built in the early 1900s, lined the street.  They included small cottages, one-and-one-half story bungalows, and a couple of larger late-Victorian homes.

A 1907 Sylvan Valley News editorial written by J.C. Whitmire states that the street was nicknamed “Maple Street”, presumably because there were numerous maples along it.  He added that once the town acquired the title to the street they could name it whatever they choose, however there was already one Maple Street in Brevard.  Whitmire did not believe the name of Maple would stick.  Time has proven him correct as the street is known as Whitmire today.

This Victorian on Whitmire has recently been renovated.

Flanked on the east end by the large home of Major William Breese and Brevard Lumber on the west end Whitmire St. was convenient to town but offered large backyards for gardens.   From 1945-1965 the Wesleyan Church was located on the south side of Whitmire St. just west of this group of homes.  Continuing west on Whitmire beyond the depot was Pisgah Cotton Mill and additional small homes for mill workers.

By 1990 the steeple had been removed and the former
Brevard Wesleyan Church was boarded up

Today the Breese house, the depot, and Pisgah Cotton Mill all are gone. Brevard Lumber has been transferred into an arts district.  Several of the smaller houses on Whitmire St. have also been torn down, while others have been renovated helping to revitalize the area.

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.