Newspapers / The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, … / April 18, 1955, edition 1 / Page 2
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? Pigeon Route (Continned from pace 1) River gorge the hundreds of pro ponents for the road went into a lengthy round of applause. Engineer Rogers said that the right-of-way from Pigeon River route was free, whereas right-of ways for French Broad, through Ashevllle and Marshall would run into millions. Jonathan Woody, president of thd First National Bank, hit a broadside 5-point program as he cited the advantages of the Pigeon River Road. He began his remarks by say ing. "Being a banker. 1 figure what anything is worth, and who does it benefit. Now as to the Pigeon River Road. It will benefit every one, because it will open up new country. and espectaly will it open up the Eastern end of the Great Smokies and that poiiiun of beau tiful Pisgah National Forest. "I would be a traitor to my country if I did not mention it would make it easy to get to Cataloochee. and goodness know's every American should visit Caial oochee ? the garden spot of the world ? I'd say that even if I had not been born there." Woody pointed to the advan tages the road would have from the standpoint of agriculture, in that it would enable farmers of Western N.?nh Carolina to reach other markets in the midwest quicker, and more economically. "I feel it will be the means it ? Simulating the production of more truck crops in this area, thus providing additional cash income for our farmers. In fact, the road ? would make fartping this section : of our state rnonp profitable.' As a member pf an Industrial committee. Woody told the Com mission that the road would shorten hauf distances to the mid west. a'nd that the all-weather road, and water-level route would cut down substantial.v on trans i portatiofi casts.'He also cited the savings in time for both the opera tion of trucks, and the expediting of shipments to market. "Our tourist business would grow by leaps and bounds," he said enthusiastically, as he pointed to the Increased north and south traffic, which is now being routed i even away from the state because of the motorists having to cross mountains in early spring and late fall, when weather conditions are not always favorable for moun tain driving, especimly at high I elevations. "The road will mean a longer sea son ? starting earlier in the spring and continuing later In the fall," he continued. "The appeal of the all-weather, water-level route will be of spet , ial interest to our motorist friends i who are accustomed to driving in flat country," he continued. The banker, mindful of the dol la'r-and-cent value, told the com mission that the road would be of ? ? | material benefit in increasing I property values; stimulate new | construction along the route, add I ing to the tax assessments of the 1 county. ' The Increased travel will be re flected in increase in gasoline taxes, and also the sales tax. As : the business people prosper froin this appealing road into the moun tains without having to cross a mountain, there will be an in crease in Income taxes for the state, as well as privilege taxes," he cited. "And what might be of interest to you sportsmen, is the fact that he alluring trout in Big Creek and Cataloochee Creek will at tract hundreds more fishermen, which will mean more in fishing licenses. And who is there who has not heard of the good hunting in the boar country around Hur ricane?" "Gentlemen. 1 can think of every economic and practical rea son for the early completion of this inter-regional highway, and not a single point on the negative side." D Beeves Noland was present, but did not feel like presenting his statement to the commission and it was read by Dave Felmet. D. Reeves Noland, former mem ber of the N. C. Highway and Public Works Commission and the State Board of Agriculture said: "An act of the Legislature of 1832 first put the Pigeon River Route on record as the logical road into Tennessee . . . Ever since then ? 123 years ? the people of Haywood County have been fight ing for a decent highway connec tion into Tennessee, and the west ern country beyond. "About 1812, the American Road Association selected the Pigeon i River Route for the east to west highway now known as U. S. 70 . . . Due to the Tennessee and N. C. Railroad right-of-way down the Pigeon River, this route had to be abandoned, and it was transfer red to the present French Broad Route. "A few years ago the Tennessee and N. C. Railroad was discontin ued. The right-of-way from the Tennessee Line to Newport was sold to the Tennessee Highway Commission (Department) . . . The twelve miles of right-of-way in North Carolina was sold to the Carr Lumber Company and 'they gave it to the N. C. Highway 'Com mission. "Right-of-way forms have been signed for right-of-way for the i Pigeon River Road from the N. C. ; State Line up to Jonathans Creek, a distance of twenty miles, at no cost except for two small, cheap , buildings. This is certainly the ? cheapest right-of-way that has 1 i been acquired by the Commission 1 Hhn UPcdftt ybkfs "The balance of the distance passes through a section where there are only a few inexpensive houses. "This route is ideal for a limit ed access* road as it crosses only i one road during the first 22 I miles, and three roads the balance of the distance to Clyde. Because of this fact, and the fact that there will not be any traffic to inter TOP SPELLERS at the third annual Haywood County Spelling Bee at Bethel Friday night were < first row, left to right) Georgie Ann Henapn of East Waynesville, first in the elementary divi sion; James Gaddis of Lake Junaluaka, second, and Billie Sue Galloway of Waynesville Central Elementary, third; (second row) Janice Frady of Bethel, first in the junior high dlvialo; Margaret Timmons of Canton, second, and Howard Gillett ' of Crabtree-lron Duff, third; (third row) Robert Do as of Canton, first in the high school division; Mary Sue McCracken of Crabtree-lron Duff, sec ond, and Violet I.indsey of Clyde, third. Behind the contestants are W. N. Freel of the Freel Robinson Furniture Store of Canton, sponsor of the spelling bee, and C. C. Poindexter, principal of Bethel District schools, who was in charge of the event. (Mountaineer Photo), I fere with construction, the costs in volved will be an absolute mini mum for this type of construction. "The route from Clyde to Ashe ville is already constructed three lanes from Canton to AsheviUe with four lanes from Clyde to Can ton, and the right-of-way for the fourth lane, is already owned by the Commission (Canton to Ashe viUe). "Approximately seven miles of Cold Springs has been completed this route from Tennessee Line to except for surfacing. "When 14 miles more is com pleted we will have an excellent, fully usable, highway from Ashe viUe to the N. C.-Tennessee State Line where it will be joined by Tennessee construction. "The Pigeon River Route can be constructed in less than half the time . . . and with far less cost than any competing route . . . due to the shorter construction | distances involved, and the fact that no railroads, towns? or other obstacles are involved. "In addition it will serve a high er percentage of population, will help present industries, will make it easier to attract new industries, and will do more to develop the Great Smoky Mountains National park than any state highway that can be built. "Other representatives of Hay wood County will discuss the gen eral value of the Pigeon River to North Carolina generally. "I give you my firm opinion, however, that no road In this area is needed as badly as the Pigeon River Road . . . that none can be built as cheaply . . . that no other will be as worthy . . . and that no other route is so well adapted for location of the Inter-Regional Route ?? Knoxville to AsheviLIe. j "As for distances, specifications, I leave that to the Engineers for expert advice." Charles Ray, former chairman j of the N. C. Park Commission told i the highway commission that: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Pisgah National For est, and the Foothills Parkway of Tennessee, we have the greatest combination of tourist attractions in the Americas, and in fact, in the world. Their drawing power, however, is not being utilized in any great degree, nor can they be without much better access, and extensive development. Insofar as the eastern end of the Park is concerned, and the National Forest it that area, the Pigeon River Road is of vital importance. For a good portion of its length after it leaves, the Tennessee Line, it is wholly , within the Pisgah Na- j tional Forest. It is at the same time within the Pigeon River Gorge which provides some of the most magnificent scenery in' Eastern America. Within this area, the motorist will be able to see bear, deer, and other game. Also re markably beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers. As the area is a Na tional Forest, it will be free from billboards and cheap types of road side stands. In this same area, the Pigeon River Road skirts the Great Smok ies National Park, and will make possible the building of access roads into Big Creek and Cataloo chee Valleys, which together com prise some 60,000 acres of Haywood County lands. These two valleys with their en circling Mountains face eastward to North Carolina and is the area which logically should serve visit ors approaching through Asheville and Hendersonville. With these two areas developed, the Park would be some two hours closer to Asheville. Because of geographic considera tions and the absence of other highways, this section of the Park cannot be developed until the Pigeon River Road is built. Considering the Smokies Park from the standpoint of the visitor from afar, who really wants to see and enjoy the Park, an encircling highway, definitely is essential. This would enable a tourist, ap proaching from the North, South. East, or West, to travel around the edge of the Park, and to visit any of its numerous valleys where ac cess roads have been provided. The Foothills Parkway in Ten nessee has been designed and Is be ing built for that specific purpose. This will, in effect, connect with the Tennessee portion of the Pigeon River Road, which, when it is com pleted. will make possible travel around the Park. In relation to the Blue Ridge Parkway, It would be only some 20 miles from the Pigeon River Road near Cove Creek to a connection with the Parkway at Soco Gap where it would also connect with the Cherokee Indian Reservation This connection would be by way of ?he beautiful Jonathan Creek and Maggie Valleys which are in them selves as beautiful as Parkways. A feature of the present lack of highways into, across, aqd around 'he Smokies Park, is that travel Into and visitor use, are too con centrated. At the present time the 'rans-park highway by Cherokee has been pounded to pieces, a con dition which must be relieved. , A factor in this situation is the fact that under present conditions much heavy truck traffic must use the highway in question, U. S. 441 a situation which is unsatisfactory to the trucker, to other motorists and to the Park Service. During the summer months, these heavy trucks are only allowed to cross at night. With the Pigeon River Road built, many of these trucks would prefer to avoid the long, heavy grade of the Park Road, and would use the water level route of the Pigeon River. It has been my good fortune to know all of the Directors of the National Park Service, and all of the Superintendents of the Smokies Park since it was established. Dur ing part of these years, I had of fiicial contact with the National Park Service as Chairman of the North Carolina National Park. Parkway, and National Forests De velopment Commission. In that connection I worked for several years with Chairman Graham, and with Commissioners Buchanan' and Winkler. With that background, I can tell you that the National Park Service has been and is, most anxious that a modern highway should be built through the lower Pigeon Valley. Within recent weeks, I have heard Superintendent Ed Hummel ex Dress such sentiments to Governor Hodges while on a triD to Raleigh From a letter in my files from a recent Director. I quote the state ment that "A highway through {his area, will directly influence traffic in the Gic.ii S!,10kv y ' tiona! P.irk ,tn(i : way.'' r'?>t% Gentlemen (1f ,|, f. j can say to ,>u; 'T|,N That the Pigeon R the missina link the Great Smoky w re,,# tional Palk ;md' ,10uWKi tional Forest ' " PlsM That the Pigco. m j ,he 'ink in way system which re, tion. practically '** lower thi: d ( , ]|.r 'nJ It and which will h ^ Q N'o'th Carolina w, River Road i bum ''1 That the Pl,.t?n ,, the missin iillk in J* system of Itiajiwavs a.' which annually hundriVi J ands Of car are ' 1 Carolina J That the Pmeon Rlver8 Vtdes our only ,,pp?;.lu|1J is?*e I'm-ron Koute? Smoky Ml DRIVE-Ir theatrI Balsam ltd. Dial GLM Show Starts At 7:J|(I mon.. TI es. & \v J APRIL 18, IS(9 "GONE Wli THE WINDfl (In Color) I Starring I C LARK GABLE I VIVIEN LEIGH I OLIVIA DE HAYIli COME EARLY J Only One Show yJ Main Feature Stal At 8. P. M. j THl'RS. & FRLI APRIL 21 &221 'TOUR GUNSI THE BORCJ (In Color) I Starrinf RORY CALHOOlfl COLLEEN MILUfl WALTER BREJM 5 COLOR CARTOol WAYNESVILLE DRIVE - IN Show SUrte At 7:45 MONDAY - APRIL 18 4 "DEEP IN MY HEART" JANE POWELL * ANN MILLER. * VIC DAMONE [ IN BEAUTIFUL C-Q-L-04C Tuesday - Wednesday - April 19-20 " ACADEMY AWARD A WINNING HITS to GARY (Vera Cruz) COOPER GRACE (Country Girl) KELLY IN "HIGH NOON" \i so : Thursday, April 21 /fife AND A Jtjftyf VENGEANCE" ! 2NC f g^T\ HITI ? HJ, "Marshall of Cedar Hoek*' A -> lift ? i >?? ? * u* . STRAND THEATRE Mon. - Tues. ? April 18 -19 LAST TWO DAYS TO SEE ROCK HUDSON BARBARA RUSH IN "CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT" In Technicolor And Cinemascope ?? WED. & THURS., APRIL 20 & 21 "SMOKE ? SIGNAL" Starring DANA ANDREWS PIPER LAURIE In Technicolor ?? Friday, April 22 DONT MISS THIS ONE! MARJORIE MAIN PERCY KILBRIDE "MA & PA KETTLfi AT HOME" Remember Free Ice Cream To All Childrof and Six Color Cartoons "7" DAYS TO "WHITE CHRISTMAS" PARK Theatre Program MON. & TUES., APRIL 18 & 19 "CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA" (In Color) Starring BARBARA STANWYCK RONALD REAGAN -j ? WED. & THURS., APRIL 20 & 21 "PRINCESS OF THE NILE" (In Color) Starring DEBRA PAGET JEFFREY HUNTER MICHAEL RENNIE ? FRIDAY, APRIL 22 DOUBLE FEATURE "THE STEEL CAGE" and "CRAZY KNIGHTS" Starring BILLY GILBERT SHEMP HOWARD MAXIB ROSENBLOOM COMING SOON "CAINE MUTINY" ?1111111 ?Mil III Kit- 1. I ?L Sells morev. .because its worth more! Ford's worth more when you buy it i . . and it's easy to see why! Only Ford brings you the long, low look of the Thunderbird and its "car-of-toraorrow" lines. t)nlv Ford gives you the instant?and reas.vtiring?response of Trigger Torque power . .. power that whisks you up hills or around traffic ,.. gives you "Go" when you need it for safety's sake! And Ford alone in its field gives you the solid comfort and handling ease of a new and smoother Angle-Poised Ride. There are countless other worth-more features, from the smoothness and long life of Ford's deep-block engines to the colorfully fresh new beauty of Ford's Luxury Lounge interiors. A Test Drive will show you how many there are. Ford's worth moro when you sell it . . . and used car prices prove it! For years, Ford cars have returned a higher proportion of their 'original cost at resale than any other low-priced car. And that's further proof that Ford's first in all-round, long-lasting value. Before you buy any new oar be eure you see and drive , the worth more car...the '55 Ford The new best seller... ford I PARKWAY MOTORS, Int I MUter A Hcjrmtod Streets Wavnt*^ ?
The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, N.C.)
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April 18, 1955, edition 1
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