The Transylvania Times Publishes Centennial Issue

On July 18, 1968 The Transylvania Times published a special Centennial Issue of the newspaper commemorating Brevard’s first 100 years.  It was the largest newspaper published by the Times up to that date, with 74 pages in nine sections including numerous old photographs, stories from the past and news of the day.  Now as the Town of Brevard celebrates 150 years Picturing the Past will take a look back at some of the stories from that issue and where we are today.

The history of several civic, fraternal and veteran organizations were featured.  While their missions differed local clubs shared a commitment of service to the community. They also played a significant role in the social lives of their members.

The Masonic Temple on East Main St. as it looked in 1964.

The oldest of these organizations was the Dunn’s Rock Masonic Lodge, first established in 1865 by local soldiers who had joined Military Masonic groups during the Civil War.  In the early 1900s they began raising funds to build a temple in Brevard, however due to the Depression and then WWII constructed was not undertaken until 1950.

Woodmen of the World at a flag raising at Rosman High School.

Woodmen of the World, another fraternal organization, was formed in September 1907. They promoted fraternal, civic and patriotic service through programs to groups such as the Boy Scouts and in the schools.  In 1968 there were approximately 400 members in the local chapter. 

Following WWI the first local veteran’s organization, the Monroe Wilson Post of the American Legion, was created.  They met at the City Hall, Courthouse, or other locations until they were able to acquire a piece of property from the City.  The American Legion building on Jordan St. was dedicated on July 10, 1948.  The American Legion routinely sponsored and supported youth activities, such as a Boy Scout Troup and sports teams.

In 1945 the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) also organized a post in Brevard.  Named for Lewis E. Jackson, the first Transylvania soldier killed in WWII, they met in various locations until constructing their current building on Nicholson Creek Rd. in the mid-1960s.  In 1968 they had 310 members and like several other groups sponsored youth events and sports teams.

Civic organizations included the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club.  The Kiwanis, an international organization whose motto is, “Serving the Children of the World” support human service projects.  The local chapter was established in 1926.  They sponsored Boy Scout Troop 701 for 80 years before the Brevard Kiwanis Club was disband in 2006. 

The Lions Club was created by businessmen to use their skills not only for themselves but to serve their communities. The Lions, whose slogan “Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety” gives them their name, are dedicated to assisting the visually impaired.  For several years the Brevard Club, which was organized in 1937, operated a mattress factory managed by Clarence Owen and a News Stand run by Phillip Price.  Both Owen and Price were blind.

The Brevard Rotary Club’s first president, Transylvania Times editor, John Anderson pledged that each member would practice the motto of “Service Above Self” in accepting its charter in 1947.

Since the late 1900s the popularity and membership of service clubs has dwindled significantly. Today the local chapters of most of these organizations are much smaller.

Next week Picturing the Past will look at the major industries featured in the 1968 Centennial Issue.  A copy is available in the Local History room at the Transylvania County Library to browse.

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.