'We Love America' Quilt on Display at Library

Following the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001 the 2^nd grade teachers at Brevard Elementary choose to undertake a social studies project to focus students on the good in America. 

Teachers Vicki Denton, Connie Mosser, Louise Stroup and Molly Tartt worked with their students to identify what made them proud of their country.  The students then selected and designed artwork representing American landmarks and events.

Quilter Elizabeth Lemon provided fabric blocks and markers for students to produce their images.  The 6x6 blocks portrayed America from its mountain majesties to its shining sea.  They featured symbols of the United States, such as the U.S. flag, the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell and the bald eagle.  Native Americans, pilgrims, soldiers, explorers and astronauts were all depicted through the eyes of seven-and eight-year-olds.

Lemon then assembled the blocks using dark blue fabric with shooting stars of various colors for sashing and a wide border of red, white and blue U.S. flag material.  She finished the project by quilting around each block and with a flowing stitch on the border.

The “We Love America” quilt hung in the school library at Brevard Elementary for many years.  Recently the Waightstill Avery Chapter of the DAR borrowed the quilt to share with their members.  It is currently on display on the 2^nd floor at the Library.

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.

"We Love America" quilt created by 2nd graders at Brevard Elementary School during the 2001-2002 school year.

Newspapers Provide a Unique View of the Past

Behind the scenes at The Transylvania Times, 1967

One of the most common requests in the Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library is for newspaper articles of past events.  The Library has microfilm of all available editions of the Sylvan Valley News, Brevard News, and Transylvania Times through 2015.  More recent issues of the Transylvania Times are available in hardcopy.

The difficulty in locating information arises when the exact date of the event or newspaper coverage is not known.  For the most part the newspapers are not indexed but there are a few strategies that can be used to assist in searches.

For newspapers prior to July 1940 the easiest means of access is through DigitalNC.org.  Included in the collection are Sylvan Valley News, 1903-1916; The Brevard News, 1917-1932 and The Transylvania Times, 1933-June 1940.  It should be noted that there are gaps in the collection though.

Sylvan Valley News, December 1, 1916

To learn exactly which issues are available each newspaper has a calendar for every year.  For example, in 1910 the Sylvan Valley News was published on Fridays and all issues are available.  In 1930 the Brevard News came out on Wednesdays, except for October 30^th, which was a Thursday.  There are also seven issues missing that year.

Advanced search options allow for keyword or phrase searches that can also be limited by newspaper and date.  As an example, a search for last week’s Picturing the Past article using the term “moonshine” included 23 results from the Sylvan Valley News, 48 from the Brevard News and 60 from the Transylvania Times.  Experimenting with a variety of search options and words will lead to different results.

The Brevard News, February 16, 1928

Currently newspapers after mid-1940 are not available digitally, so searching requires browsing through microfilm page by page. Therefore, it is helpful to narrow down the date range as much as possible. The Local History Room also has archival files that include clippings on businesses, organizations, people and major events that can often be used to provide a time frame for additional searches on microfilm. 

It should be noted that there are two large gaps in the Transylvania Times holdings from July 1940 through March 1941 and from mid-March through mid-September 1953.

The Transylvania Times, August 11, 1938

Complete runs of the Ecusta Echo, 1940-1954 and DuPont Fotofax, 1968-1988 are available on DigitalNC, as well.  And, Brevard College has made hundreds of issues of their student paper from 1933-2011 available through the same online resource.  A search of these company and student papers can sometimes narrow the date range or provide added information.

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.

Making Moonshine In the County Was Big Business

Making moonshine was common practice and a part of mountain culture during the 1800s. Nearly every home kept some form of spirits—whiskey, wine, ale or brandy, available for themselves and visitors.  In addition, converting corn, grain and fruit crops to liquor allowed for easier transport to market for much needed cash.  It was simply considered good economics.

By the beginning of the 20^th century public opinion, influenced by groups like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, had shifted against alcohol consumption.  The 18^th Amendment made production, importation, transportation and sale of alcohol a criminal offense in the U.S. beginning on January 17, 1920 but in North Carolina it had been illegal since May 26, 1908. 

Tom Woods, Bert Freeman and two unidentified officials prepare to dump
moonshine off the old Wilson Bridge into the French Broad River.

A search of the Sylvan Valley News and Brevard News revealed articles on state and local efforts to end the distilling trade.  Headlines included “War on Moonshiners”, “Whiskey and Its Evils” and “A Healthy Crusade”, all purporting the ruinous effects of liquor.  According to a March 1926 news release North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia produced more moonshine than all other states combined.

Newspaper accounts regularly tell of deputies seizing stills and making arrests throughout the county in Balsam Grove, Cedar Mountain, Cherryfield, Connestee Falls, East Fork, Frozen Creek, Island Ford, Quebec, Rich Mountain, Rosman, Reid’s Siding and See-Off.  Raids ranged from a large outfit with a capacity of 122 gallons and 800 gallons of beer captured by J.A. and Coleman Galloway at Black Knob in the Little River section in 1914 to a travel size “baby still” of twelve gallons nabbed by Officer Sims in 1926. 

Brevard Police Chief Paul Fisher (center) and Officers Ray Buchanan and
Boyce Gillespie confiscated six gallons of moonshine from a stolen
1950 Ford.  The driver was not apprehended.

Stills were hidden deep in the woods or even underground.  In 1948 Sheriff Bert Freeman uncovered a 100-gallon-a-day “factory” that had been operating just outside of Brevard for three years.  A tunnel, over 200 feet in length, led to a large cave serving as the still room. Fresh spring water was piped in from a half mile away and waste was piped out a mile where it mixed with waste from Transylvania Tanning and went unnoticed.  The find was covered by news agency across the state and as far away as San Francisco News, September 22, 1948.

Occasionally one of the community news columns would taunt law enforcement with challenges like this one from the September 25, 1929 Gloucester News, “Well, officers, we have plenty of moonshine now, at least some of our men and boys are getting plenty it.  If you will let us alone, we will have more than we need and some to let you have in a few more weeks.”

Although prohibition ended with the repeal of the 18^th Amendment in 1930 many North Carolina counties, including Transylvania County, remained dry long after the state legalized the sale of alcohol in 1937.

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.

What Did Everyday items Cost in 1968?

During the last two week Picturing the Past has looked back at some feature stories in the Centennial Issue published by the Transylvania Times.   This week’s focus is on the advertisements from that issue.  How much did groceries, clothes, furniture and appliances, cars or a house cost in 1968?

In 1968 A&P was located on S. Broad St. beside the Dardinal Drive-In.

Grocery stores in Brevard included A&P, Community Cash, and Winn Dixie.  Shoppers could get 2 pounds of bacon for 99₵ or chuck roast for 37₵ per pound at A&P.  Community Cash had the best price on bread at 21₵ for a pound-and-a-half loaf, a quart of mayonnaise for 29₵ and three cantaloupes for 89₵.  If canned peaches, 3 for 89₵ or catsup, 4 for $1.00 were on the list the deals were at Winn-Dixie.

Personal items on sale at Varner’s Drug Store included a 12-pack of overnight Pampers for 89₵ and Q.T. Tanning Lotion for 97₵. 

Pat's Shoe Mart was on N. Broad St. in College Plaza.

Several downtown clothing and shoe stores were also offering sales.  Women’s heels were $2.98-8.98 and flats were $2.98-5.98 at Pat’s Shoe Mart, Plummer’s Department Store had girls’ summer dresses for $2.50 to $4.99 and Belk’s had men’s 100% cotton work pants for $1.80 and a matching shirt at just $1.00.

Anyone looking for appliances or furniture had several options as well.  Mims & Lyda Radio, TV & Appliances carried Mobile Maid portable dishwashers for $209.95.  Hotpoint appliances were sold at Rice Furniture, including a permanent press dryer for $99.88 with free delivery and service.  At Abercrombie’s Home Furnishings Sealy posture pillow mattress and box springs sets were only $79.

Families looking for a second car could get a 1961 Chevrolet Parkwood station wagon straight-drive, with radio and a heater for $695 at Lyda-McCrary Motors or a 1963 Volkswagen bus for $895 at McCrary Chevy-Olds.

McCrary Chevy-Olds on N. Broad St. had a large selection of cars for sale.

Realtor Gil Coan had a 3 bed/2 bath 1850 square feet home with a fireplace located on Jordan Road in Brevard for $22,000 and Ray Fisher was selling a 2 bed cottage with a large utility room and attached garage on a large wooded lot near Brevard College for $11,000.

              

While these prices may seem like a dream today, it is also important to remember that the median household income in America was $7,700 and minimum wage had just been raised from $1.40 to $1.60 per hour in 1968.  In Transylvania County the average annual gross income for a farmer was $1,398, the Register of Deeds was paid $5,835 annually and the sheriff made $8,442 a year.  The hiring rate at DuPont was $2.35 per hour and although no experience was required they did prefer applicants with a high school education.

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.

History of Manufacturing Industry in Transylvania Co.

When the Transylvania Times published a special Centennial Issue in celebration of Brevard’s 100^th anniversary the local economy was tied to industry and construction.

During the early 1900s the local economy and jobs were centered on the logging and lumber industry.  Joseph Silversteen was considered a pioneer industrialist when he began Toxaway Tanning in 1902.  His businesses grew to include Gloucester Lumber, Rosman Tanning & Extract and Transylvania Tanning.  Louis Carr opened his lumber company in 1912 and logged thousands of acres in the Pisgah National Forest.  At one time Carr Lumber had the largest sawmill operation in Western North Carolina. 

Both Silversteen and Carr had employed hundreds of workers over the course of several decades but by 1968 both were deceased and their businesses closed.  Carr’s son, Frank continued to operate Carr Builders’ Supply and Silversteen’s son-in-law Albert Weiss had purchased the former Transylvania Tanning property for his machine company.  Weiss employed 24 people making machine parts for local businesses and national corporations such as General Electric.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the addition of Transylvania County’s two largest manufacturers.  In 1968 the Ecusta Paper Corporation, which had begun in 1939, was now part of the Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation and had 3000 employees at their Pisgah Forest plant.  Ecusta was credited for bringing big industry to Brevard.

Brevard’s DuPont Plant opened in 1957 to manufacture silicon but soon switched to x-ray film.  Through an innovative program of pre-training, employees were able to transition from their jobs in silicon production to the film industry without losing a day’s work.  The plant employed about 1500 people in 1968.

Myers Dining Hall at Brevard College was one of Bryant Construction's
numerous building projects.

Jack Bryant had started Bryant Electric in 1952 as a solo operation.  Fourteen years later Bryant Corporation included separate electrical and construction companies and was the largest contractor in the county with jobs throughout the southeastern U.S.  The Bryant Corporation employed 150 people and subcontracted with an additional 300.

The American Thread plant under construction in 1964.

Newer companies included American Thread and Mitchell-Bissell both located in the Rosman area.  The American Thread Company constructed a large modern plant to manufacture cotton thread and yarn in 1964.   Four years later they employed 300 people.

In 1961 the Mitchell-Bissell Company, which had been in business since the late 1800s, built a modern facility to manufacture wire guides.  They soon expanded to other metal parts and assembly and had 90 employees.  Now Known as M-B Industries, they are the only Transylvania manufacturer from 1968 that remains in operation 50 years later.

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.