in 1916. In places the river was formerly forded
and old timers tell how it used to freeze com
pletely over and' wagons were driven across on
ice. And in those days logs were floated from
place to place.
The entire river basin is in the mountain re
gion, It attains its highest elevation at lofty
Mt. Mitchell which is 6,684 feet above sea level
and is the highest peak east of the Rocky Moun
tains. The rainfall in the river basin varies from
45 inches in the northwest portion to 65-70
inches along the southeast boundary. In the
Pisgah Forest section the annual rainfall ap
proaches the maximum of the state which is 75
inches—this incidentally, is second high in the
United States. It is interesting to note that Ashe
ville is only 30 miles distant, but has a rainfall
of only 40 inches annually, which is as low as any
section of the state.
Temperatures in the river section vary from
45 to 58 degrees. It has an annual mean of 51
degrees. The northwestern and southeastern por
tions have annual means of 56 and 58 degrees. The
lowest annual mean of 45 is in Mt. Mitchell
area.
Many artists, writers and poets have found
inspiration as they strolled along the mossy banks
of the French Broad or drifted lazily upon its
dreamy waters in light canoes. Zane Grey did
some writing near Brevard and his father’s grave
is on a little mountain overlooking the river.
The entire valley in this section is dotted with
summer camps for boys and girls. As a special
feature of attraction some of the camps have
sponsored canoe trips from Brevard to Asheville.
At one time it was decided to put a steamboat on
the river. But after the maiden voyage from
Brevard to Ashveille, it was found to be not prac
tical for steamboat navigation.
The French Broad, as a tributary of the Tennes
see river, lies within the jurisdiction of the Ten
nessee Valley Authority. Some studies have been
made in connection with the plans of the Au
thority for power development, flood control and
improvements for navigation. As yet no definite
plans have been adopted for immediate develop
ment.
It would be interesting to know the adventures
of the Indians, exploring parties and early settlers
on the river, but that would carry the imagination
on a long separate flight. Suffice it to say that
at present the river proudly serves a multitude
of purposes. It enriches thousands of acres of land
with its fertile depositories. It furnishes beauty,
inspiration and relaxation for all, recreation for
the vacationer and sport for the fisherman. It
enhances the most magnificent sunset and re
flects the glory of the moon as it humbly washes
the rocky feet of the mountains above it.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?
Answers:
1. The Statue of Liberty on Bedloe’s Island in
New York Harbor. The statue was a present
from France soon after the Franco-Prussian
War. French people contributed $450,000 for
the statue and Americans $350,000 for the
pedestal. The statue was unveiled October
28, 1886.
2. Monument to three minute men at Boston,
Massachusetts. Erected to the memory of the
militia-men who had undertaken to turn out
for service at a minute’s notice during the
Revolution. Men who fought in the opening
action at Lexington were "minute men”.
3. Independence Hall stands on Independence
Square in Philadelphia. It houses the Liberty
Bell and a small museum of historical and
colonial objects. It was the scene of the proc
lamation of the Declaration of Independence
on July 4, 1776.
4. Arlington Memorial built in 1802 by the
adopted son of George Washington. It is the
central feature of Arlington National Ceme
tery.
5. The Bunker Hill Monument at Charlestown,
Massachusetts, stands on the site of the first
engagement in the Revolution — June 17,
1775. It is 221 feet high, 30 feet square at
the base and tapers off to 15 feet at the top.
It cost $150,000.
6. Faneuil Hall—Cradle of Liberty: a marked
house and hall in Boston, given to the city in
1742 by Peter Faneuil, and famous as the
meeting place of American patriots during
the Revolutionary period.
MOVIE SCHEDULE FOR
SEPTEMBER, 1950
August 31
FAMILY HONEYMOON
Claudette Colbert, Fred McMurray
September 7
CRISS CROSS
Burt Lancaster, Dan Duryea
September 14
YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING
Dan Dailey, Anne Baxter, Anne Revere
September 21
OLD TEXAS TRAIL
Rod Cameron
September 28
THE PEARL
Pedro Armendariz, Maria Elena Marques,
Fernando Wagner
(Also selected short subjects on each program.)
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