Community Clubs Help Bring People Together

In the late 1940s two groups, Western North Carolina Associated Communities and Western North Carolina Community Development Association, undertook efforts to assist small rural communities scattered through Western North Carolina address a wide range of community needs. 

Transylvania County’s rural neighborhoods began organizing through community clubs in the early-to-mid 1950s.  Groups renovated old schoolhouses or built new buildings to serve as community centers in Balsam Grove, Cathey’s Creek, Cedar Mountain, Dunn’s Rock, Eastatoe, Lake Toxaway, Little River, Pisgah Forest, Quebec, Sapphire-Whitewater, Seeoff, and Silversteen.

The goal was to strengthen communities by bringing people together through educational, civic and social activities.  Educational opportunities focused on agricultural improvements, home extension and 4-H clubs.  Projects covered a wide range of topics including infrastructure improvements, like paving roads, rural electrification and expanding telephone service; housing and home improvements brought renovations including indoor plumbing to older homes and also added new homes to communities; and entrepreneur opportunities centered on boosting family incomes by using the resources available to them.

The Dunn's Rock Community Roadside Market had nine stalls for the sale
of produce, preserves, flowers, furniture and other goods, 1955.

In 1955 the Dunn’s Rock Community Club decided to build and operate a curb market for the purpose of allowing community members to earn extra income through the sale of fresh vegetables and fruit, baked goods, dairy products, canned goods, flowers and a wide variety of handcrafts.  The market was constructed near Mill Hill Grocery and operated on Saturday mornings from July 2 through October 8.  Gross sales their first year were $1157.35, with 5% going to the community center for expenses.

Large wooden panels folded down on the Cedar Mountain Community Market
building providing trays for produce and goods on market days, 1958.

The following summer the Cedar Mountain Community Club built a small cement block and wood building near their community center to serve as the community market center.  Market times were Tuesday and Friday mornings for a total of 21 days during the summer in 1956.  Total sales were $1375 with a portion going back to the community center fund.  Other community clubs operated curb markets starting in the mid-1950s as well.

Each community was required to complete an annual summary reporting development within their community.  Categories included Better Family Living, Community Programs, Youth Programs and Family Income Development.  Over the next few weeks Picturing the Past will look at some of the activities and projects Transylvania County community’s undertook. 

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.