Highway Event Is Happy Occasion on New Year’s Day, 1932

January 1st marks the 89th anniversary of the official opening, in 1932, of the highway connecting Brevard and Greenville. Then known as highway 284 in North Carolina (now U.S. Route 276, the southern portion of which is also known as the Greenville highway), the new connection added approximately 50 miles to the existing road, and linked Brevard to the then-new South Carolina highway at the state line. Brevard and Greenville were finally joined by a modern road.

Postcard of section of unpaved highway to Greenville, S.C. Undated

If you’ve ever traveled on the southbound 276 to Greenville, you will probably agree that even though 89 years may have passed, the highway is still “a remarkably fine piece of engineering construction throughout, and evidences unusual road building skill, particularly in the manner in which it negotiates the difficult curves and grades necessary to an ascent to the Head [Caesar's Head]” (The Greenville News, January 2, 1932).

The achievement was greatly appreciated by all in 1932, as residents of both Transylvania and Greenville counties rejoiced at the fact that a trip that once “called for an all-day journey and far into the night” could now be made in a little over one hour’s time. Transylvania farmers and truckers were very happy, since they now had two good markets at which to sell their goods, both within a short distance of home. The development was also hailed by members of the Brevard and Greenville Chambers of Commerce; these local business leaders were quite excited at the prospect of greatly increased economic activity between the two areas, particularly tourism. Indeed, the new stretch of highway now made it much easier for Transylvanians to go shopping in Greenville’s larger stores, and in general to enjoy the varied cultural offerings of a city considerably larger than Brevard. For their part, Greenvillians could more easily access our beautiful mountains. In the sultry summer months, Greenvillians could now quickly escape the oppressive heat of the city and enjoy the much cooler temperatures just an hour away.

To celebrate the opening of the new road, a splendid party was held on New Year’s Day 1932 at Caesar’s Head Hotel, the midpoint between the two towns. Organized jointly by the two Chambers of Commerce, the noontime gathering featured an “old fashioned turkey dinner” with “all the trimmings” for 200 people.

By all accounts, the party was a huge success; it was well attended by notables and residents from both towns, and the gathering was generally seen at the time as a pivotal moment in the region's history. All the local Brevard and Greenville newspapers covered the event, all of them very favorably. The following account, published in The Greenville News, perhaps best sums up the spirit of the occasion: “Fog and lowering clouds, together with chilly weather, made driving conditions unpleasant, but the disagreeable conditions were forgotten before the glowing fire in the lobby of the hotel and in the dining room, which was heated for the occasion. A spirit of friendship marked the event, many new acquaintances between residents at the two cities being made and old friendships renewed.” And that spirit of friendship between the two cities can still be felt today. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Gaither’s Restaurant, A Gathering Place for the Holidays and More

For 37 years—from 1940 to 1977—Gaither’s Restaurant, also known as ‘The Grill’, ‘Gaither’s Grill’ or simply, ‘Gaither’s’, offered tasty food and good cheer to Western North Carolinians. Owned and operated by James “Jimmy” C. Gaither of Statesville, NC, and later on, his wife Addie Boykin of Middlesex, NC (they married in 1958), Gaither’s still holds the record of being the longest continually operating restaurant in downtown Brevard. In a 1972 interview with The Transylvania Times, Jimmy Gaither, who by then was an established figure in the local food business, shared his motivation for opening the restaurant: “Surveys showed that Brevard was the fastest growing town in WNC then. The Ecusta plant was just getting into operation, Brevard was bound to grow—so we opened [Gaither’s] in the same building we’re in now.”

Photo negative of Gaither’s Restaurant on South Broad Street, 1958

Today, Gaither’s former locale is occupied by Bracken Mountain Bakery. That site was 34 South Broad Street (42 South Broad Street today), which served as the restaurant’s home for most of its history. Initially, Gaither’s occupied a space at 32 South Broad Street, and it was also for a brief time located on Main Street.

Gaither’s was a diner-style restaurant, considered the first “modern” restaurant in the area at the time. It was known for its burgers, steaks, sandwiches and pie. At first, Gaither’s offered a typical diner or cafeteria-style service, but after Jimmy Gaither purchased the (previously leased) property on South Broad Street, the restaurant expanded to include a banquet facility for up to 100 people (called the Rhododendron Room) and a group meeting room (called the Dogwood Room) on the second floor. The classic diner experience was still available on the first floor.

Front of “A Christmas Menu” by Addie and Jimmy Gaither

Due to its spaciousness and location, Gaither’s was, for many years, a very popular meeting space for local civic clubs, such as the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Jaycees, and the BP&W (Business Professional Women’s) Club. It was the venue of choice for many business functions, private parties, as well as large holiday celebrations. In Ecusta’s Echo magazine many celebrations were recorded as having taken place at Gaither’s Rhododendron Room. From employee baby showers to bowling team victory steak suppers, to Brevard Camera Club award banquets, to ”C” Shift gala parties that included games and movie-watching, many good times were had at Gaither’s, and many Transylvanians have fond memories of the place.

The Gaither family contributed a great deal to the food and cultural heritage of Transylvania County residents for nearly four decades. Gaither’s restaurant is still missed today—especially around the holidays.

Inside of “A Christmas Menu” by Addie and Jimmy Gaither, undated

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Transylvania County’s First Public Rest Room for Women

At the dawn of the 20th century, public restrooms were hard to come by, and Brevard lacked a dedicated public restroom for women. But the town and surrounding areas were growing, and by 1918 there was a recognition that a restroom was needed for women to use when visiting and shopping in town. Keep in mind that back then, the main means of travel for most people was on horseback or horse-drawn carriages. Journeys were long and arduous. For women especially, it was quite complicated to heed the call of nature safely and hygienically. Around that time, a state law was passed that required the provision of sanitary services, and a Superior Court judge ruled shortly afterward that it would be fully enforced.

In an article for the Brevard News on February 15, 1918, Annie Jean Gash, the first president of the Transylvania Chapter for the United Daughters of the Confederacy (U.D.C.), offered the U.D.C. library as an ideal location for a new ladies’ restroom. “So it would seem the time has come to put through the long cherished —longer needed— project of adding a rest room and lavatory on the court house grounds under the library roof,” she wrote. It should be noted that back then the U.D.C. library was located near the gazebo and the building that currently houses the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, on East Main Street, just to the right of the courthouse.

UDC Library, Brevard, NC

For those who don’t know, the U.D.C. is an organization of women descended from men who served for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The Transylvania Chapter of the U.D.C. was chartered on June 7, 1911, with 25 original members. Its mission was to aid and to honor Transylvania’s Confederate Veterans. Among other activities, the U.D.C. held reunions and funeral services, secured and presented Crosses of Honor, granted scholarships, purchased metal markers for graves, and obtained government headstones. Beginning in 1912, the local U.D.C. chapter also opened and operated (on and off) Transylvania’s first library until 1944 when it became a public library supported by town, county, and state funding.

Based on newspaper articles and the U.D.C. meeting minutes of the time, it took a great deal of community networking and fundraising to make the ladies’ restroom a reality. By March 8, 1918, a Rest Room Committee had been organized and was comprised of members from all parts of the county. Committee members represented Brevard, Penrose, Little River, Selica, Rosman, Toxaway, Pink Beds, Island Ford, as well as various civic and religious groups. Mr. E.H. Norwood, a well-known local architect and concerned citizen, offered to create the plans for the room. The Transylvania County Commissioners Office committed to installing the necessary plumbing, as well as to giving $50 annually for the rest room’s maintenance. And the Town of Brevard agreed to supply the water.

In the span of just over a month, by April 26, 1918, plans had been prepared “for an addition of three rooms consisting of Rest Room, Red Cross Kitchenette and Lavatory for the U.D.C. Library Building on Court House Square.” Prominent men in town promised financial assistance and local businesses supplied hardware and materials. Funds were still needed to cover carpentry and painting work, and the Brevard News informed readers that “money for this work may be left at the Brevard Bank or with any of the merchants in town, marked, ‘For the County Rest Room'.”

The planned restroom was much more than just a closet with a toilet. In addition to providing the necessary sanitary amenities, the room was meant to be a place where women could sit back and relax for a bit. It is worth noting that our modern definition of “restroom” is derived from a kind of multipurpose lounge area found in early 20th century upscale restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues. These places wanted to provide their patrons with a space for relaxation, and they were usually outfitted with comfortable chairs or sofas, plus the expected plumbing. Typically, these comfy pieces of furniture would be placed right next to the toilet and sink. This is why, when proposing a “county rest room”, Annie Jean Gash asked for “permission to build under the present back porch roof of the library a rest room, toilet and lavatory.”

Work on the ladies’ restroom began in early June and was completed by the end of the summer of 1918. The Rest Room Committee published one final request for money and furnishings. At last, Transylvania County women, and all other female visitors, would have a place to rest and relax when visiting the town or when attending to court-related matters. Also, the new addition would provide Red Cross workers with a small kitchen area where they could prepare refreshments for their entertainment events and fundraisers. A longstanding local ambition had finally been realized.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Comedy Queen Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Part II

Last week’s Picturing the Past featured Loretta Mary Aiken. A brief account of major life events of her childhood provided some insight into how she came to create the comedic character Jackie Mabley. This week’s Picturing the Past will recount Loretta’s rise to international stardom as Jackie “Moms” Mabley, a.k.a. “The Funniest Woman in the World”. 

As previously mentioned in last week’s article, Loretta’s character Jackie Mabley disdained old men. Mabley’s dislike of old men was a central theme of her performances; her most popular jokes were about her lust for younger men and her rejection of older men, and today she is still best remembered for those jokes. “He was so old… he was older than his mother,” she would say, and “An old man can’t do nothing for me but bring me a message from a young man.” 

Moms Mabley vinyl comedy album cover “The Funniest Woman in the World,”

recorded at Tivoli Theater in Chicago, 1960

On the surface, Mabley’s jokes and tall tales sounded absurd and elicited laughter. However, the deeper messages of her zany comedy were the real value of her work and were the key to her enormous success. By portraying herself as a sexual being, while remaining affable and disarming in her goofy, clownish granny role, Mabley questioned and criticized the gender expectations and limitations of her day, as well as major societal and political issues such as racism, civil and women’s rights. 

Mabley’s maternal attitude towards her fans—whom she claimed as her ‘children’—and her kind and caring nature toward other performers, earned her the nickname of ‘Moms.’

In 1921, Moms Mabley disclosed her nontraditional sexuality, claiming that she identified as a lesbian and thus becoming one of the very first openly gay comedians. By today’s standards, it is debatable whether she was a lesbian or bisexual, since she also had relationships with men. “I tell them don’t let the old folks tell you about the good old days. I was there. Where were they at? The best time is now when you can go out with who you want, love who you want and as many as you want.” 

Surprisingly, her disclosure did not have a negative impact on her career. In fact, by 1923, Moms was packing the house wherever she went. She performed to standing room only audiences in New York’s best theaters such as Connie’s Inn, the Cotton Club, Club Harlem and the Apollo Theater. Eventually, she succeeded in making more money than any other comic performer of the time. At those famous New York venues, she entertained alongside musical giants Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, to name a few. By the 1950s Moms was considered New York’s top nightclub comedienne. 

For thirty years Moms was the headliner at the Apollo Theater and a regular guest on a number of national television variety shows. She also performed on Broadway shows and on the big screen. In 1960, her first album became gold-certified, and from it, she earned the title “Funniest Woman in the World.” She went on to record many albums. In 1974, Moms had her first starring role in the feature film, Amazing Grace, which she was able to complete despite suffering a heart attack during filming. 

Loretta Mary Aiken’s career had spanned more than 60 years when she died at 78 years of age on May 23, 1975 in White Plains, NY. Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects and a memorial service was held for her at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, her church of twenty-five years. Pastor Dr. Samuel Proctor, mentor and friend of Martin Luther King Jr., eloquently articulated Jackie “Moms” Mabley’s legacy by saying, “she could take sorrow and disappointment and lift something out of it, to cause us to objectivize: to put it on a screen somewhere and sit back from it and have a hearty laugh to keep it from destroying us.” 

Although she lived in New York most of her life, she always remained in close contact with her family and friends in Brevard. In 1997, Oaklawn Avenue in Brevard was briefly renamed Moms Mabley Avenue, in an effort to honor her in her hometown on her 100th birthday. However, some residents protested having to change their addresses and so the name was reverted to Oaklawn. 

Loretta Mary Aiken is one of the founders of modern American stand-up comedy and achieved fame like no other Transylvanian in our history. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Comedy Queen Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Part I

World-renowned comedienne and actress Loretta Mary Aiken, known as ‘Retta’ to her family, was born in Brevard on March 19, 1897. Unfortunately, many of her biographical details are conflicting, fictional, or simply unavailable, which makes her life story unclear at points. Nonetheless, the information that is available is quite remarkable. 

Loretta Mary Aiken, known as Jackie “Moms” Mabley

Born to Mary Smith and Jim Aiken, Loretta came from a large family of mixed African American, Cherokee and Irish ancestry. Her father was a prominent Brevard businessman and volunteer fireman. He was tragically killed in an explosion when his vehicle overturned during a fire call in 1909. Loretta’s mother also died a horrible, violent death in 1946— she was run over by a mail truck on New Year’s Eve. 

Loretta herself suffered traumatic physical abuse. She was raped at age 11 by an elderly black man, and then again at age 13 by a white law enforcement official. She became pregnant both times, and had two babies, the first in Brevard and the second -according to an interview with Loretta- in Baltimore. Both children were placed in the care of women who disappeared with them. Sadly, she was not reunited with these two children until they were adults. Later in life, Loretta had three daughters and adopted a son: Bonnie, Christine, Yvonne, and Charles. 

On the advice and encouragement of her grandmother, Jane Aiken Hall*, who said: “you’re gonna see the world like your granny never did,” Loretta left Brevard for Asheville as a young teenager while pregnant with her second child. It was at this time that Loretta claims that God, in a vision, told her to “Go onto the stage,” whereupon she joined black vaudeville performers and began performing in the Chitlin ’Circuit. Not long after, in order to appease her eldest brother who felt that her involvement in show business as a female disgraced the family name, Loretta adopted the stage name ‘Jackie Mabley.' Incidentally, Jack Mabley was a Canadian comic to whom she had been engaged. He was one of the few men close to Loretta at that point in her life. 

In her twenties, inspired by her love and admiration for her grandmother, and largely as a form of self-protection, Loretta began developing the comic character of a bawdy, young-man-chasing, old-man-hating granny who wore funny hats, frumpy housedresses, droopy stockings and ill-fitting shoes. “I had in mind a woman about 60 or 65, even when I first came up,” she told Mark Jacobson in an interview for New York(October 14, 1974). “She’s a good woman, with an eye for shady dealings. She was like my granny, the most beautiful woman I ever knew.” 

The risqué elderly lady persona that Loretta impersonated as Jackie Mabley, inspired by her grandmother and named after her ex-fiancé, allowed her to get away with saying things that male counterparts of her day would not have been able to. She used Jackie Mabley’s silly and unattractive image to mock males and discuss taboo topics such as ageism, sexuality, gender stereotypes and, more specifically, the marginalization and exploitation of black women. 

Next week's “Picturing the Past” will recount Loretta Mary Aiken’s rise to international stardom as Jackie “Moms” Mabley. *In her performances, Loretta often called her granny, Harriet Smith (the name of her maternal grandmother) but it is believed that the grandmother she actually imitated and was inspired by was Jane Aiken Hall, her paternal grandmother. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.orgor 828-884-1820. 

A Quarantine Thanksgiving

As we ponder what to be grateful for in 2020, it can serve us well to look back at history. The year 1918 was, believe it or not, far worse than 2020. World War I had claimed an estimated 16 million lives and 116,516 of those were American. The influenza epidemic, the deadliest flu pandemic ever recorded, swept the world that same year and killed roughly 675,000 people in the United States and up to 50 million people worldwide. During its peak, it is estimated that 21,000 Americans died in a single week in October 1918. In that same month more than 5,000 died just in North Carolina. By the end of The Great Pandemic, a total of 13,644 North Carolinians had died of the flu.

November 11,1918 - Thomas Lenoir Gash and Dovie Anne Deavor Gash
celebrate Armistice posing for a photograph with the American flag
and the Christian Observer newspaper outside their home in Pisgah Forest.

So how did Transylvanians celebrate Thanksgiving in 1918? Despite 1918 being a year of unforgettable suffering and death, there certainly were things to be grateful for. Nearly three years after the United States declared war on Germany, a ceasefire and Armistice had finally been declared on November 11, 1918. The peace yearned for by Americans had finally arrived. In learning of the news, Brevard Mayor W.E. Breese delivered a stirring speech in which he proposed that “if the epidemic of influenza subsides sufficiently for the people of the county to meet together, I want to suggest that everyone who is able to do so, to come to Brevard on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, and let’s have a good time celebrating our victory.” He added that “as we the people of Transylvania have so much to be thankful for, we have a great union Thanksgiving service outdoors and all have our Thanksgiving dinner there together.”

This announcement made the front page
of the Brevard News, on November 21, 1918

The fact that there is no further mention of this proposed event in the post-Thanksgiving issues of the newspaper of the time, the Brevard News, may mean that it was not possible to hold the event. We know that a long-awaited and long-advertised minstrel show that was to take place on Thanksgiving night was postponed indefinitely. We also know that the County Health and Quarantine Officer, C.W. Hunt, MD, continually discouraged gatherings and at one point reminded Transylvanians that: “Influenza is a crowd disease. It is spread by ‘spit swapping’ through the means of the unmuzzled cough and sneeze, or the use of drinking cups, eating utensils or towels that have been used by an infected person. The prevention of the disease depends upon each individual avoiding crowds where infection is so easy, and refusing to use the things that someone else has used. The responsibility for preventing the disease rests with the individual directly.”

What is evident in the local newspapers of the time is that despite the many hardships, losses and untold grief suffered by all, Transylvanians were deeply grateful for their hard-won peace, looking ahead at brighter days and solidly there for each other. This is evident in contributors’ reporting of their shared joy for war’s end, the personal mentions of how families stricken with influenza were faring, the many prayers expressed, and the ads of gratitude directed at neighbors, friends and medical personnel published by those who received help from them at their worst time of need.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions, please contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

75 Years of Bookmobile Service in Transylvania County

2020 marks the 75^th year that Transylvania County’s beloved bookmobile has literally been carting knowledge and entertainment to all corners of our county. The bookmobile service began in 1945, when the county’s first professional librarian, Mrs. Elizabeth Kapp, decided to lend library books out of the trunk of her own car, with the aim of making library resources more accesible to rural residents.

The bookmobile stops at Cedar Mountain.
Panels on the outside of the 1949 bookmobile were raised to
display books; additional books were transported in the trunk. 

Mrs. Kapp started out by rotating small book collections for one month periods at country stores and one-room schools throughout Transylvania. For four years she used her car for this purpose; then in 1949, the county purchased and refitted a Chevrolet panel truck for use as a mobile library. Hall Smith Jr., of Brevard College, was its first driver. Mrs. Burt Cassing joined the effort as the volunteer bookmobile librarian.

Bookmobile librarian, Dottie Vaniman stands
at the front door to the “Truck of Knowledge.”

Later, in 1960, a walk-in style bookmobile was acquired by the library. This sort of bookmobile was much more convenient for users, since they could get out of the cold and the wet weather to comfortably browse the books inside the truck. After nearly 20 years of heavy use, this vehicle was replaced in 1978 with a bright orange second-hand bookmobile (purchased from the Greenville, N.C., library), nicknamed “The Truck of Knowledge.”

In 1984, a brand-new white Chevy Pioneer II van, nicknamed “Moby Dick” by library staff, was purchased and especially outfitted to the library’s specifications. This smaller van, built and designed by the Gersentslager Company, was better able to navigate narrow city streets. Service was now expanded to include rest-homes, childcare centers, and home-bound citizens. After 25 years in service, “Moby Dick” was retired and our current bookmobile took to the roads. This present-day iteration of the bookmobile is unmistakable on Transylvanian roads due to the beautiful photographs of Looking Glass (taken by Thomas M. Atkins) that grace its exterior. It will have been in service 12 years now this coming November 22.

Bookmobile librarians through the years have included Mrs. J.P. Cheek (1951-1969), Mrs. Joe Plemmons (1969-1973), Mrs. J.P. Robinson (1973-1975), Mrs. Dot Rogers (1976-1977), Ms. Dottie Vaniman (1977-1993), Ms. Linda Raxter (1993-1995), Ms. Karen Plumley (1995-2008) and Mr. Gary Greene (2008-2009).

Since 2009 (aside from the months the coronavirus pandemic has forced the Bookmobile to idle by), current bookmobile librarian Miss Brenda Ivers stops at community centers, post offices, churches, day cares, schools and retirement centers throughout Transylvania County. At any given time she has up to 3,000 books in tow! For a complete bookmobile schedule, be sure to check the library’s website at library.transylvaniacounty.org or contact Miss Brenda at the library.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Anne-Monique Ransdell. For more information, comments, or suggestions, please contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

First Armistice Day in Transylvania County

November 11, the date World War I formally ended at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918, was selected for Armistice Day to honor veterans of World War I.  President Woodrow Wilson issued the following message to all Americans on November 11, 1919. 

A year ago today our enemies laid down their arms in accordance with an armistice which rendered them impotent to renew hostilities, and gave to the world an assured opportunity to reconstruct its shattered order and to work out in peace a new and juster set of international relations. The soldiers and people of the European Allies had fought and endured for more than four years to uphold the barrier of civilization against the aggressions of armed force. We ourselves had been in the conflict something more than a year and a half.

With splendid forgetfulness of mere personal concerns, we remodeled our industries, concentrated our financial resources, increased our agricultural output, and assembled a great army, so that at the last our power was a decisive factor in the victory. We were able to bring the vast resources, material and moral, of a great and free people to the assistance of our associates in Europe who had suffered and sacrificed without limit in the cause for which we fought.

Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.

To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.

The first Armistice Day in Transylvania County was to be celebrated with a parade by the students of the Brevard Graded School and Brevard Institute, followed by the singing of patriotic songs, prayers and speaking.  The parade was cancelled due to inclement weather but the other events went forward with a large audience at the Baptist church.

WWI Transylvania County soldiers. 

Front row: Avery Orr, 2^nd from left; Virgil Merrill, 5^th from left.  

Middle row: Jesse Scruggs, 3^rd from left; Carl Hardin, 4^{th from left} .  

Back row: Coy Surrette, 2^nd from left; Travie Hart, 7^th from left.  

Others pictured include Harold Harden, Lauder Lyday, Ernest Miller and Victor Orr.  

They served in France in the Medical Department, at Field Hospitals and 

with Ambulance Company 324 from August 1918 through June 1919.

 Following World War II and the Korean War veterans’ organizations advocated for changing Armistice to Veterans to honor those who had fought in all wars and those who served in the U.S. military forces during times of peace.  Congress officially renamed November 11 as Veterans Day in 1954.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Marcy Thompson. 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 NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Fall is Harvest Time!

Fall is harvest time.  Since the first settlers came to the area in the late 1700s agriculture has played a major role in the local economy.  Early families grew their own food and crops for their livestock.  They also took any extra crops and livestock to markets in Asheville or Greenville each fall for much needed cash.  They income allowed them to buy goods they couldn’t grow or make, as well as additional land and to pay taxes. 

They chiefly raised hogs, along with cattle and sheep (mainly for the wool), as well as chickens.  Corn was the leading crop, along with beans, pumpkins, winter squash, cabbage, potatoes, oats and rye. 

Haying time at Cathey's Creek Farm in the early 1900s.  
Front from left:  Leroy Waldrop, Tom Galloway, Rueben
Bracken, Pete Lance, Lewis Waldrop, Jim Waldrop and 
Mannie Waldrop.  Two little boys: Hovey and Arthur Waldrop.
Back from left:  Mays Waldrop on the haystack, Van Buren 
Waldrop and Ray Waldrop standing in the wagon, and 
Robert Waldrop on the car hood.

Throughout the 1800s agriculture grew steadily and continued to be the chief source of income in Transylvania County.  There were 365 farms in 1870, 734 in 1880 and just over 1000 by 1900.  The farms also grow in total acreage over the years. 

The 20^th century began with a shift in the local economy—many were working in the logging and lumber industry and by 1940 manufacturing jobs lured others away from farming full-time.  Real estate prices in Brevard were relatively high but farm owners couldn’t sell their property for enough to entice them to sell and move to town so most continued to farm on a small scale.

Agriculture in the county was also changing.  Dairy farming expanded from the 1940s through the 1960s.  In the 1950s and 60s the nursery business blossomed—with gladiolas, ornamental shrubs and trees, and Christmas trees being leading products.  By 1982 the top grossing farm product in Transylvania County was trout.

Today agricultural remains important but the type of farming has changed.  2017 statistics list 215 farms in the county.  They are smaller, at an average size of 68 acres and the products have changed again.  The leading crops are those that sell at farmers market and roadside stands—vegetables, fruit, berries, melons and flowers.  Greenhouse and nursery products, such as ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, Christmas trees are also grown throughout the county.  The leading livestock product is aquaculture—trout farms and fish hatcheries; followed by beef, sheep, goats, poultry and eggs. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Rearing White-Tailed Deer In Pisgah Forest

The Cherokee lived in harmony with wildlife and nature in the mountains and foothills for centuries.  However, as European traders and settlers came into the area overhunting for meat, fur and hides led to a decrease in the number of game animals.

By the early 1900s the white-tail deer population had declined to the point of concern.  George Vanderbilt undertook efforts to re-stock deer on his vast estate.  Then, following the creation of the Pisgah National Forest, a game preserve was established leading to a rebound in the number of deer in this relatively safe environment.

During the 1930s the herds were large enough that hunting was allowed in some years.  Deer were also captured and transported to others areas of North Carolina and surrounding states where white-tail deer had nearly disappeared. 

Two small fawns at the Fawn
Rearing Station.

A fawn rearing station was operated in the Pink Beds area of the Pisgah National Forest.  The Forest Service paid four dollars for each fawn, which was then hand-raised at the fawn farm. The fawns were cared for by Forest Service employees and CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) members.  They bottle fed the young deer every six hours around the clock.  Initially cow’s or goat’s milk was used but in 1937 they began using diluted canned evaporated milk which was richer and had a higher fat content.  The fawns also received doses of castor oil and vitamins as needed. 

Blankets were used to keep the youngest fawns warm on chilly nights.  Precautions were also taken not to frighten them with loud noises, such as automobiles.  As the fawns grew they were fed just twice a day, then taught to eat a grain mixture.  Finally they were placed in larger fenced areas to graze on their own.

In addition to the fawns, rangers would care for injured adult deer.  Both fawns and adult deer were shipped throughout the southeast to increase herds elsewhere. 

Albert Lyday, who was in charge of the Pisgah Forest Fawn
Rearing Station for several years, fills nursing bottles for
over 100 fawns four times a day.  Wayne Mathis with the CCC
places nipples on the bottles.

Data was also collected to study the habits of the white-tail deer and the diseases that affected them.  Fredrick J. Ruff’s 1937 study, “The Whitetail Deer of the Pisgah National Game Preserve” remains valuable in deer management today.

Newspaper and magazine articles, as well as news reels shared the story of the Pisgah Fawn Rearing Station across the country making it popular for tourists.  Hundreds of visitors received special permission to tour the fawn farm each year.

Budget cuts and the success of repopulating white-tail deer led to the program being phased out in the early 1940s. 

Fawns eagerly gather at feeding time.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

The Arrival Of The Paper Mill At Davidson River Site

On May 5, 1938 the front page of the Transylvania Times proclaimed, “Paper Plant To Locate On Davidson River Site.”  That plant was, of course, the Ecusta Corporation which provided employment for thousands of workers in the manufacture of cigarette and other fine papers over the next sixty plus years.

Before selecting the approximately 225 acre site along the Davidson River the company explored numerous locations throughout North Carolina and a few in Georgia and Virginia. 

R.J. Reynolds and other tobacco companies in North Carolina were strongly pushing Straus to locate the paper mill in the state.  Other considerations for Straus included an adequate supply of clean water in a protected watershed, location on a waterway large enough to insure against lawsuits from downstream property owners due to the discharge of untreated industrial waste, no objections to the odor produced by the manufacturing process and location on or near a rail line for delivery of raw materials.

Three locations in Transylvania County were looked at by J.E. Sirrine & Company of Greenville, SC who was hired to investigate sites for the paper mill.

Property on the West Fork of the French Broad River above its confluence with the North Fork was investigated.  This site, which would have required a dam on the North Fork to impound a sufficient amount of water and either piping waste to a point beyond the Rosman Tannery and providing clean water to the tannery, was deemed unsatisfactory.

A more appealing site was located in the valley downstream from Cascade Dam and Power Plant on the Little River.  It required building a spur from the main rail line and a piping water to the plant.  The plan was to purchase the power plant as well as property for the new paper mill.  At the time Duke Power Company purchased all of the power produced at Cascade and was willing to terminate their contract, which had 10-12 years remaining.  Mr. Picklesimer, owner of the dam and power plant, was also willing to sell or negotiate a long-term lease.  However, the condition of the plant necessitating costly repairs and updates along with other complications resulted in it being eliminated.

A site on the Davidson River downstream from the Pisgah National Forest was looked at and although it was included on a list of eight recommended sites dated July 7, 1937 this list seemed to change frequently.  The Davidson River site was not on an August 25, 1937 list of active sites that did include the Little River site.  By September 10, 1937 neither Transylvania County site made a list of four preferred sites.

This aerial view of Ecusta shows the fresh channel diversion
of the Davidson River north of the plant.  It also shows
Highway 64 along present day Deavor Rd. to the east of it 
current route.

In his book, Ecusta and the Legacy of Harry H. Straus, Brian Du Toit states, “Harry Straus had earlier passed by the Davidson River site without giving it much attention, but on a second visit on November 23, 1937 he was struck by the large flat open space, the proximity of the railroad, good paved roads giving access to Asheville, Hendersonville, Greenville and other large towns.  The presence of a college and good schools and a ready, eager workforce were also attractive.”

Once it was confirmed in early January 1938 that Hendersonville got its water from the South Fork Mills River and not from the Davidson River watershed Straus was ready to move forward quickly acquiring property along the Davidson River.  Less than two years later the Ecusta paper mill was operational.

Documents from J.E. Sirrine & Company summarizing the site investigations are available in the Local History Collection at the Transylvania County Library. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

A Year Without Football At BHS? It's Happened Before

Football, from midget league to the NFL, is a Fall tradition all across America.  Fans gather at stadiums, parks, clubs, sports bars, restaurants and in their homes to cheer on “their” team. 

This year, 2020, is different though.  Restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic have led to cancelations, changes in schedules and limits on attendance.  The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced in August that football would be played in the Spring, beginning in February. 

For Brevard High School this is just the second year there has not been Fall football since the first squad was organized in 1925.  According to the 1944 Brevard High yearbook, “One of the highlights at Brevard High School this year (1943-44) was the return of football to the gridiron.  For the past two years the pigskin has been put aside, chiefly because the Blue Devils could not find a coach.”

Despite this claim, the Transylvania Times reported on games played during the Fall of 1941.  Head Coach Cox and Assistant Coach Middleton led an inexperienced team to a 5-5 record, finishing the season with a 39-0 defeat of Franklin in the Thanksgiving Day match-up at home. 

In 1942 the “Brevard High School News” column in the Transylvania Times announced that there would not be an athletic program that year.  It stated, “Mr. Middleton would have been coach, but Uncle Sam seemed to have more to say about that than Mr. Kimzey, so he is now in the army.”

1943 Brevard High football team. 
Photo from the 1944 Brevardier.

Then Slim Bullock, an Ecusta employee, volunteered to coach the Blue Devils in 1943.  The team was winless in six games during Bullock’s first year but improved to a 5-4 record in 1944.  During his final season, they won eight games and lost just four, finishing with a 6-2 victory over Brevard College on Thanksgiving Day. 

During Bullock’s tenure as head coach the Brevard Athletic and Recreation Association was established.  Their goal was to improve the athletic fields at Brevard High and Brevard College.  One of their first accomplishments was to install lights for night games at Brevard High School.  

The team played their first home, night game on October 5, 1945.  Approximately 500 people attended and cheered the Blue Devils to a victory despite a cold and rainy night.  Three weeks later, over 2000 fans came out for the second game under the lights.  Brevard lost that match against Hendersonville High by a score of 20-12. 

Raymond “Slim” Bullock came to Brevard in 1939 with the original construction of the Ecusta Plant. Following his stint as coach, Bullock continued to support the Blue Devils through the Athletic Association.

Rosman High School has fielded a football team every Fall since its first season in 1959. Bill Cathey was the Tigers’ first head coach.  He led the team to a 52-39-7 record over the course of ten years. 

Although the local high school football season will look different this year local fans are sure to cheer on “their” team whenever they play. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Davidson River Day; Held At Walnut Grove Preaching Point

For several decades the first Sunday in October was designated as Davidson River Day—a day of remembrance of the heritage of Davidson River Presbyterian Church and Davidson River Academy, as well as the daughter churches in Mills River (established in 1859) and Brevard (established in 1891), and a day to celebrate the future.

On October 7, 1923 the Honorable Robert L. Gash gave an address proclaiming the significance and history of Davidson River Day to those in attendance.  According to Gash, “In the late seventeen-nineties, this grove was known as Walnut Grove Preaching Point.” Located along the Davidson River not far from the home of Benjamin Davidson, the first permanent settlers in the area following the Revolutionary War gathered for services led by traveling preachers of various denominations.

In 1826 Benjamin Davidson deeded the grove to trustees appointed to build a “free meeting house” used by Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists.  From this beginning, the Davidson River Presbyterian Church with twenty-eight original members was constructed in 1828. 

The 1891 Davidson River Presbyterian church in the 
walnut grove.

By 1855 there was a need for a larger building to serve as a church and school.  The school, Davidson River Academy, offered a mid-level education in the areas of classics and elementary reading, writing and algebra.  It had already been in existence for three decades and would operate for an additional 40 years.            

This new building, the second to serve the Davidson River community, burned in 1891. Gash states, “At that time the trustees of the church conveyed to the school committee the site of the present school house; and in rebuilding, they built only a church, although they permit the school to use the grove as a playground. 

The 1924 Sanborn map shows the school and church located on the east side of Davidson River Road, north of the rail line into Pisgah Forest.

This circa 1915 photo shows the "present school house" at
Davidson River that Gash referred to in his 1923 address.

After Davidson River Presbyterian and Brevard Presbyterian merged during the Great Depression, services were moved to the Brevard church, located on Probart Street.  Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s the congregation continued to celebrate Davidson River Day at the old Davidson River Presbyterian grounds each October.  It was attended by hundreds from near and far. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.       

Fisher Reunions Facilitate Community Improvements

Slick Fisher Road in the Lake Toxaway area of the county winds 4.5 miles beginning at North Toxaway Baptist Church on Blue Ridge Rd. (Hwy. 281), travelers climb approximately 341 feet in elevation and then descends about 660 feet before connecting back up with Hwy. 281.  The route along the highway is longer (4.7 miles) but a quicker drive.  The road gets its name from Isaiah S. “Slick” Fisher.

 Fisher, a grandson of James Washington Fisher, was born June 7, 1851 to William and Harriet Sims Fisher.  He married Caroline Lee in 1876 and they had ten children.  The Fishers acquired a large amount of property in the northeastern part of Hogback Township in Transylvania County.

According to a brief family history submitted by his grandson, Warren Eugene “Dick” Fisher for The Heritage of Transylvania County, volume 2, “It is not known exactly how Isaiah received the nickname ‘Slick.’ Some say he was a fine dresser.  This seems hard to believe for country folk.  Most likely his middle name was Sylvester or Sylvannus, though neither name appears in any documentation or other family names.”

Fisher was a farmer and prominent in community affairs.  He served as school commissioner for Hogback, District 4, was a longtime Board of Elections judge in Hogback Township and was also a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in Charlotte in 1908.

A group gathered for the Fisher Reunion at the old 
Lake Toxaway Baptist Church.

The Fishers were also long-time members of Lake Toxaway Baptist Church.  Church members regularly maintained the church cemetery but many graves did not have headstones. In 1924 Isaiah Fisher, along with Rev. Wade Nicholson and Lee Norton presented a fund raising plan through an annual event.  Officers and committee members were elected and the event was named the Fisher Reunion.  “Uncle Slick” served as chairman of the Arrangement Committee for many years.

Slick and Carolina Fisher surrounded by 
grandchildren.

In addition to the traditional picnic lunch and visiting, there was typically one or more speakers and a collection was taken.  The first new monument purchased and placed was for James and Dorcas Fisher. While the main objectives were to maintain the cemetery and mark as many graves as possible, other projects were also undertaken occasionally.  In 1929 funds were used to buy materials to build picnic tables for the church grounds and in 1940 to put a fence around the church grounds so livestock would not damage the property. 

Isaiah S. “Slick” Fisher died on Dec 10, 1936 and is buried at Lake Toxaway Baptist Church cemetery, which he worked to improve and preserve.  Descendant of Isaiah and Caroline raised money for concrete tables and a marble tablet in their memory in 1960.  The base was inscribed with the names of their children.

The Fisher Reunion continues to be a regular event to bring family and friends together.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

First Car Appeared in County Around 1907

The first cars began to appear in Transylvania County around 1907 when it was noted that Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt visited the Pink Beds by automobile.  In February 1909, the Sylvan Valley News teased that Brevard would be getting its first auto owner and the editor had been extended an invitation for a ride.

An April 9, 1909 article boasted, “Brevard is to be congratulated on having within her borders an up-to-date, high-toned, first-class, 25-horse-power automobile as a permanent fixture.”  The vehicle belonged to H.P. Clarke.  The editor was given his promised ride and declared, “An auto ride is exhilarating, and as we didn’t have any hair to ‘hold on’ it was enjoyed to the full limit.”

Two months later two additional Brevard men purchased vehicles in Columbia, SC and had them delivered.  A June 11, 1909 Sylvan Valley News article reported, “Two auto-buggies, the property of Dr. E.S. English and J.L. Aiken, have arrived in town.  They were driven overland from Anderson, S.C., coming first by Saluda Gap.  At Green River they were met by high water, and had to go around by Jones Gap.  Again they were detained over night at H.P. Clarke’s by high water, reaching Brevard Thursday morning.”  English and Aiken took driving lessons so they could serve as their own chauffeurs.

A year later Mr. Clarke purchased two new automobiles, a hup-mobile and a Stearns 7-passenger car.  The Sylvan Valley News proclaimed the hup-mobile as “the classiest little car we have seen this year.”

Articles announcing injuries and deaths caused by automobiles were a weekly feature in the newspaper.  Although these occurred all across the country, most often in cities, safety was of great concern by local officials, as well.  State law set the speed limit at a maximum of 10 mph in business districts, 15 mph in residential areas and 25 mph on public highways.  State laws also required all vehicles and drivers be licensed. 

The Town of Brevard passed speed limit ordinances with hefty fines for those who did not comply.  In 1913, the speed limit was lowered from 10 mph to 8 mph on straight streets and 4 mph at crossings and corners.  Drivers were also required to sound their horn when approaching intersections.  In addition, vehicles had to have two white lights on the front and a red light on the back after sunset and before daylight.  Automobiles were also required to have mufflers.

Brevard businessman Jim Bromfield, pictured here driving
 one of several vehicles he owned, was another early 
automobile enthusiast.

North Carolina’s “Good Roads Campaign” had been around since 1899 but grew with the popularity of the automobile.  It promoted road building through quality methods of construction leading to the state nickname of “Good Roads State.”

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Rockbrook: P.T. Barnum's Connection To The Camp

H.P. (Henry Peck) Clarke was from a prominent Bridgeport, Connecticut family.  In his late twenties, Clarke bought a large property outside of Columbia, South Carolina, known as Goodwill Plantation, in hopes of improving his health.

Clarke’s first wife, Julia Caroline Hurd, was the granddaughter of P.T. Barnum, founder of Barnum and Bailey Circus.  After her death, he married Mary Jane Macfie, daughter of Captain James Macfie.  Macfie commanded Company H “Congaree Troop” 2^nd Regiment South Carolina Cavalry, part of Wade Hampton’s Legion. 

The Clarke family began spending summers in Transylvania County in 1898.  Numerous newspaper tidbits tell of H.P. Clarke leading recreational activities, including camping, sightseeing, hiking, fishing and hunting with family and friends. 

The Clarke home at Rockbrook faced west and sat on a 
rise with a wide lawn.

Clarke purchased the old Chisholm place on the French Broad River and named it Rockbrook.  He build a large, stately home designed by Asheville architect, Richard Sharp Smith.  The front entrance of the Neoclassical Revival style house has a semicircular portico on Tuscan columns.  The house is two-and-one–half stories with a decorative widow’s walk topping the low hip roof.  Five dormers and two brick chimneys protrude from the roof as well.  The interior was comprised of large rooms flanking a central hall.  The third floor was originally servant’s quarters.  Some of the architectural drawings can be viewed at ncroom.buncombecounty.org/.  

The Clarkes regularly entertained at Rockbrook.  Mrs. Clarke hosted social gatherings, such as the Ladies Book Club.  Daughter, Nancy would invite friends to dance in the parlor or to a Christmas Day play performed in the main hall.  The grounds included a tennis court and a baseball diamond with games between local teams. 

 In 1912 public schools in Transylvania County began offering domestic science classes.  Nancy Clarke stepped up to provide equipment and materials as well as pay an instructor for girls from the Round Top and Island Ford schools.  The classes were held in one of the Rockbrook outbuildings.

On April 30, 1913 Nancy Barnum Clarke married Henry Nash Carrier at the Rockbrook home.  The wedding description read, “The bride was attired in a wedding robe of white charmeuse, en train, with trimmings of duchess and princess lace and bridal veil of tulle and orange blossoms.  She wore a magnificent pearl crescent, the gift of the groom.  The bridal procession formed at the head of the main stairway leading to the profusely decorated hall and thence entered the drawing room where the ceremony, in the presence of a large company of local and out of town guests, was performed.” 

In 1921, Mrs. Carrier established Rockbrook Camp for Girls on the property.  The camp will celebrate its centennial next year.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact NCRoom staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.