Christmas Lights Decorate Brevard's Main Streets

Did you know the first National Christmas tree was a 48-foot balsam fir located on the Ellipse south of the White House in 1923?  A crowd of spectators watched as President Coolidge flipped the switch to light the tree decorated with 2500 red, white and green electric bulbs. 

It was another four years before lights safe for outdoor use were more widely available.  Seeing an opportunity General Electric and other distribution companies soon began sponsoring decorative lighting contests. 

A winter snow decorates the Transylvania County courthouse.

The first mention of lights being used for downtown holiday decorations in Brevard was in 1931.  A front page article in the Christmas Eve edition of the Brevard News reads, “Christmas is here! The magnificent cedar tree standing gracefully in the center of the square, bedecked with ornaments and sparkling decorations cheerfully proclaims the spirit of Christmas.  Lights gleaming red and green are stretched along the main thoroughfares and the store windows arranged with suggestive gifts and tinsel add quaint touches.

The tree was decorated and erected through the influence and labors of the ladies of the Women’s Bureau and the lights were hung by the town and individuals and institutions of Brevard who were interested in dressing up the town for Christmas.”

Over the next several years the lights were loaned out several times and damaged upon return.  So in 1936 replacement parts and new strings of colored lights were purchased.  The decision was made to no longer loan them out.  Duke Power provided the labor and equipment to hang the lights.  The Brevard Kiwanis Club and local business leaders raised funds to pay for the electricity and new materials.

In 1938 it was noted that, “Brevard business places have gone in for windows of a prettier type this year, and especially is this noted in the grocery fronts. Two striking windows are those presented by Ruth’s Beauty Shop on Jordan Street and the Quality Beauty Salon on Main Street.”  Front yards and porches were also being decorated in the residential sections of town.

The following year Christmas greenery and other decorations were added to the shopping district. In addition, a Christmas lighting contest sponsored by the Brevard Garden Club was held.  Prizes were awarded by best outdoor lighting or window effect.  Residents in Brevard and throughout the county were encouraged to participate.  The Brevard Garden Club also had Christmas trees and greens, holly, wreathes and other decorations for sale.

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.

Christmas Shopping in Brevard 100 Years Ago

Have you finished your holiday shopping?  A look through the December issues of local newspapers through the years offers a nostalgic look at some gifts (and prices) from the past. 

For most of their nearly 60 years in downtown Brevard Plummer's was located
on W. Main St., where Highland Books is today.  Their Toyland department
was a popular place for creating Christmas wish lists and for shopping. 

One hundred years ago, in 1919 Plummer & Trantham advertised, “Dolls that go to sleep, dolls that cry, dolls with curly hair” at prices ranging from 10 cents to $8.00.  Their “Toyland” department carried a wide array of gift options for good little girls and boys—dishes, drums, games, pull toys, rattles, trains and more. 

In 1931, during the Great Depression dolls could be purchased for 5 cents to $5.00 at Plummer’s Toyland.  They had a variety of other toys available as well, including doll accessories, musical instruments, aeroplanes, trucks, trains and wagons.  Children’s books were 5, 10 or 25 cents each.

As Belk’s prepared to move to their new store after the 1939 Christmas season they offered big sales.  Scooters, baby dolls that cried and cowboy outfits were all available for just 98 cents.  Tricycles ranged from $1.98 to $6.95.

An advertisement in the November 10, 1949 Transylvania Times stated, “Belk’s is always first in your community with the newest.  Now the nation’s sensation—that talking doll that actually talks.  Come in and see her—she’ll win your heart. Only $12.95.”

In 1959 Belk’s had a life-size vinyl doll that drinks and wets and “cries real tears” for $3.99.   They also carried battery operated toys from $1.99-3.99, including an old-time steam locomotive and a tugboat that made chugging sounds and blew smoke through the stack and a walking seal that did ball balancing tricks.

By 1969 the popular items were an Easy-Bake Over at $10.88 or a See ‘n Say for $5.99 at Crest on Broad Street.  Super Chargers Twin Race sets sold for $9.77 and the Rally Case which held 24 die-cast hot wheels cars was just $2.99.

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.

Ecusta Christmas

The first Christmas party for “Ecusta Children” was held at the Clemson theatre on December 23, 1943.  To accommodate all of the children there were actually five separate parties.  Plant foremen distributed tickets assigning “future Ecusta employees” to start times for each one hour session. 

Santa distributes Christmas stocking to children of employees at one of the
1949 Christmas parties.

The party featured several short films with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Popeye and other favorites of the time.  Santa Claus and his helpers greeted the children as they left the theatre presenting each with a goodie bag and present.  The presents included tin horns and the children were instructed, “Make all the noise you want to on the outside.”

A follow-up article in the January 1944 issue of “The Echo” states that approximately 1000 Ecusta children attended.  Photos show long lines of folks waiting for their turn to enter the theatre and happy families leaving.   

In future years similar parties with movies, a large tree, visits with Santa and his elves where held in the Ecusta cafeteria with every child receiving treats and presents.  In 1946 the party was cancelled due to concern over a few cases of polio in the county.  Santa ensured that each child received their gifts by sending them home with their parents though.

Transportation was provided by the Ecusta shift buses for the children and their accompanying family members.  Many years there were over 2000 children, from infants to 13 years of age, attending the annual event.  Due to segregation, during that time period a separate Christmas party was held for the children of African-American employees.

Teen Christmas Dance at the Ecusta cafeteria, undated.

Beginning in 1950 a Christmas Dance for teens, ages 14 to 19, was held each year.  The dance was for children of employees but each teen was allowed to bring one guest so it extended to the larger community.  A photograph in “The Echo”, December 1953 shows everyone dressed in their best—young men in suits and ties and young ladies in evening dresses.

Issues of Ecusta’s monthly newsletter, “The Echo” are available online at digitalnc.org.

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.

Christmas Tradition Revived At Silvermont

The Rosman home of Joseph and Elizabeth Silversteen was a gathering
place for the community at Christmas in the early 1900s.

In the early 1900s Mr. and Mrs. Silversteen opened their Rosman home each year for all to see the tree and share the spirit of the Christmas season.  Unlike today, many families did not have a Christmas tree in their home but rather enjoyed community festivities like this one offered by the Silversteens.  Trees and decorations were only displayed for a few days so the celebration was held on or near Christmas Day.

A 1908 description of the Silversteen event states, the tree was beautifully trimmed and surrounded by miniature toy animals.  A little green and red picket fence completed the scene.  Entertained was provided in the form of a phonograph player.  The Silversteens shared gifts of oranges and candy for their guests.

Silvermont's front doors decked out for the season in 1941.

After moving to Brevard, Mr. Silversteen continued the tradition of distributing Christmas treats to the children of Rosman from his Gloucester Lumber office.  He held a similar annual event for the children of employees of his Transylvania Tanning operation in Brevard. 

In a 1931 appreciation of Mr. Silversteen, Rev. Ernest Norwood wrote, “He gave hundreds of dollars away every Christmas to the poor and needy, and helped every worthy cause throughout the year as it came along.”

The Transylvania Heritage Museum and Friends of Silvermont have revived the Silversteen spirit of sharing with an Open House at Silvermont following Brevard’s Christmas parade on Saturday, December 7.  The Second Floor House Museum showcasing the Silversteen family will be open from 4:30-7:00.  A Christmas tree, music and treats are part of the free festivities.

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.