Donated Scrapbook Offers A Glimpse of An Era of the Buck Forest Area

The Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library recently received a donation of the Buck Forest Scrapbook from the Friends of DuPont State Forest. The scrapbook appears to have been a promotional item for the Buck Forest Club.

In 1941 Frank Coxe organized the exclusive Buck Forest Club, permitting hunting and fishing for its members on the property.  The club leased over 5000 acres that had been owned by the Coxe family for many years.

The scrapbook includes a map showing Buck Forest in relationship to Asheville and Hendersonville, a hand drawn diagram of the Little River within the boundary of Buck Forest, photographs, newspaper clippings and a postcard illustrate the property.  Handwritten captions of the river and waterfalls beginning one mile above Corn Shoals and running to the head of Cascade Lake describe distances, elevation drops and fishing opportunities. 

Bridal Veil Cabin

There are an additional dozen photographs showing accommodations available to club members.  One description reads, “Two views of the Bridal Veil cabin, built in 1936.  This house, together with the Stillwell House, Hooker Cabin, and the Club House are to be available for the exclusive use of club members as they see fit.  Bridal Veil cabin is completely furnished and has running water already installed.  There is an indoor and outdoor fireplace.  The interior dimensions are 30 x 30 with kitchen extension.  There is an outside bunkhouse for a servant.”  Several of these photographs show the interior and exterior of the club house located across from High Falls.

At some point the original stained wood hinged front and back covers of the scrapbook were removed and photocopies were made.  Those, along with the 20-page scrapbook, have all been laminated.

              

The club house offered a view of High Falls.

The scrapbook, which dates from the early 1940s, offers a glimpse into one era in the rich history of the Buck Forest area.  The club leased the property until April 1956 when the timber rights were sold to the Carr Lumber Company.  In September 1956 E. I. DuPont purchased over 10,000 acres from the Frank Coxe estate and the Guion Farm in Henderson County to build the first full-scale silicon plant in the United States.

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.