Pisgah Builders Supply: Once A Local Icon

Pisgah Builders’ Supply, Inc. announced their formal opening in Pisgah Forest on February 28, 1946.  The business carried a wide range of supplies including lumber, wall board, brick, cement, shingles, composite roofing and more.  A year later they expanded their facility to include a large warehouse and to allow for a showroom featuring model kitchens and bathrooms.

Frank Carr was the company president and general manager of the store.  His partners were H.H. (Harry) Patton and F.J. (Frank) Patton.  All three had long been associated with businesses in Pisgah Forest.  Carr was the son of Carr Lumber Company founder, Louis Carr and had worked in the lumber business in Pisgah Forest and New Mexico for many years.  Harry Patton was the son of T.T. (Thomas) Patton and had worked in the family’s mercantile business, as well as the City of Brevard clerk.  Frank Patton was the son of Robert Patton.  He had worked as a bookkeeper for Sid Barnett, operated a general store in Pisgah Forest and was employed at Ecusta.

The original Pisgah Builders Supply store in Pisgah Forest, 1959.

By the mid-1950s the business had grown to include an assistant manager, Ed Morgan and office manager, Tom Holmes.  In June 1957 Carr sold his stock in the company to Morgan and Holmes.  Morgan became the president of the corporation, Patton was the vice president and Holmes was the secretary and treasurer.  The business also announced that they would “no longer engage in any building or contracting” but would continue to carry a complete line of lumber and building supplies, hardware, tools, and Benjamin Moore paint.

On Sunday evening, December 22, 1968 a fire completely destroyed the Pisgah Builders Supply store.  Fire fighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the nearby lumber yard and houses in the area.  Everett Norris, a co-owner of the business at the time, stated that they would set-up at a temporary location until a new building was built.  By late March 1969 the new modern facility was open.  The business closed in 1977.

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.