Newspapers / The Black Mountain News … / Dec. 2, 1976, edition 1 / Page 12
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ALL CAR SIZES Plus N.C. Sales Tax $2.00 Mounting and Balancing Recappable Tire We Also Stock New Tires For Cars And Trucks Radials, Regular,, Mud & Snow Highway 70, Black Mountain 669-6464 LAW SCHOOL An interesting event in our pre-war history was establish ment of a law school near the head of the North Fork of Swannanoa in 1856, by Judge j. L. Bailey. He in partnership with Judge F. N. Nash, had previously conducted a suc cessful law school at Hillsboro, N. C. But after the death of Judge Nash, Judge Bailey invested in property on the slopes of Craggy and continued his school there til the beginning of the Civil War. NEW SCHOOL BUILDING By 1860 the one room log school house at Tabernacle was out of the center of our town and was too small to accomodate the needs of the growing community. So a larger and more comfortable one was planned. The location chosen was a grove at the corner of Montreat Rd. and US 70, at the edge of which now stands Williams Esso Station. E.B. and E. R. Kerlee, having donated the land, the building when completed was known as the Kerlee School House. This building , erected by volun tary gifts of materials and labor, supplied our needs for public hall and school until 1910. THE FIRST POST OFFICE Our town had no post office til after the Civil War. The nearest point of receipt and distribution of mail being at the place of Mrs. R. D. Alexander, Vi mile east of Swannanoa. Soon after the Historical Sketch Of Black Mountain war a post office was established in the dwelling now occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Howard B. Kerlee. Grey Eagle was the name of the office and Miss Martha Drucilla Kerlee was the first pogt mistress. RAILROADS Completion of the railroad from Old Henry Station into the Swannanoa Valley, marked the beginning of another epoch in the history of our community. Rails from near the Swannanoa Gap to Asheville were laid before the tunnel under the Gap was completed and upon them a few flat cars, one open-sided passenger car and a little locomotive rattled back and forth. That engine and those cars were needed on the west side of the Blue Ridge in order that work on the Swannanoa Tunnel might progress from both ends at the same time, and they were pulled over the crest of the Gap by convicts and oxen. This tunnel was under construction for several years and cost $300,000. It also cost the lives of 160 people, most of them negroes and convicts. Sixty six were killed in a single blast and seventeen were buried in a heavy slide. The o 'her seventy-seven were not taken in quite such wholesale manner. In 1880 the line was open for through traffic. Richard Aldridge, Jack Ed wards, and U. P. Terrell were the first engineers to pilot trains over the new extension to Asheville. • New York Strip • Filet Mignon • T-Bone • Delmonico • Beef-Ka-Bob • Mountaineer • Prime Ribs of Beef Tender. Juicy. Prepared The May You Like Yours! ' OPEN 1:00 P.M. DAILY TO 1:00 A M. MOUNTAINEER STEAK HOUSE 254 3332 Across From Mountaineer Inn 148 Tunnel Rd Asheville. N C. NEW NAME The Black Mountains among which Mount Mitchell is the highest peak had been widely advertised throughout the state and nation by the tragic death of Dr. Elisha Mitchell in 1857 and also by the newspaper controversy prior to that date between him and Ge. T. L. Clingman, so this being the point where passengers expecting to visit those mountains would disembark. The railroad of ficials chose to call the depot Black Mountain. Uncle Sam soon gave the post office the same name and Grey Eagle became only a memory. SAW MILLS Agriculture and stock raising had from the time of the first settlers been the chief occupation. The axe and saw being used to supply domestic needs only. But with steam transportation available, there was created a market for the lumber in the magnificent trees of our virgin forest, and within a few years fields began to be neglected, herds of stock were allowed to dwindle, and the secluded mountain coves that had since the beginning of time known no voice or sounds but that of nature, were descrecrated with the belch and screech of portable saw mills. Lumber surplanted agriculture and for thirty years these mills continued to rob our mountain sides of wealth it had taken nature untold centuries to supply. The payrolls from those primitive mills meant cash ir circulation and soon a towr began to form around the little railroad depot. Its growth was slow, but in 1893 il was granted a charter ol Incorporation. Mr. T. K Brown was chosen it’s firs mayor. At that time and unti 1910 the depot was the centei of the business district. B; 1915, Cherry Street ha< become the center, and b; 1925 State Street had thi honor thrust upon it, i distinction it continues to hold Erection of a Band Mill on mile east of town in 1912 am the building of a railroad to the Balsam covered Black’s marked the doom of our last large boundry of virgin timber. During the nine years of this mill’s operation 150 million feet of lumber was sawed and shipped. This timber was not taken from Black Mountain Township. But it’s value, standing or cut was more vital to this than any other township. Between 1880 and 1920, 225 million feet of lumber was shipped from the Black Mountain district. REST AND HEALTH RESORT As the gradual recovery from effects of the Civil War progressed, each year would bring increasing thousands of people to Western NCarolina seeking relief from the humid heat in states further south. What these thousands wanted, Black Mountain had, and she became famous as a rest and health resort. Hotels, boar ding houses and cottages were built to accomodate summer residents and visitors, while sanitoriums were erected to accomodate the sick. GOMBROOM Mrs. Florence S. Martin, soon after becoming the second Mrs. Zeb Vance, traveled with him over Western Carolina seeking timber lands in which she could invest and the location of a retreat that might serve as a haven of rest fro the senator during the summer recess of Congress. Finding the heavily forrested estate formerly belonging to Judge J.L. Bailey was for sale, she purchased about 2000 acres of this tract. They selected a beautiful spot high up on the eastern side of Craggy Dome on which to build their sum m mer home and chose “Gvn broom” for it’s name. It was a beautiful residence when completed in 1884 and con tinued to be the Senator’s retreat until his death. Many noted men and women have been guests there, and Gombroom was one of the most popular places of in terest for tourists to Black Mountain district until the estate, along with all other lands on the head waters of the North Fork were taken over by the city of Asheville for the purpose of enlarging and protecting it’s water supply. (The name Gombroom was taken from Tre Velyan’s Life of De Quincy and means An Imaginary Real or Kingdom of the Fairies.) CONFERENCE CENTER As early as 1905 the development of our town as a summer conference center began an(J by 1912, Montreat ane Blue Ridge were per manently established. Many thousands of visitors from our country and hundreds from foreign countries pass through our street annually on their way to and from these assembly grounds, and through them the fame of Black Mountain has spread to the far comers of the earth. FIRE AND FLOOD Our most disastrous fire occured in 1911, originating in a livery stable on the east side of Cherry Street and at the rear of Brown Motor Com panies building. It spread to the store building on three sides til it consumed about half the town before it was extinguished. A few years after this, through the wise suggestion of Mr. J. N. Welch and the energetic leadership of Mr. R. E. Currier, a local fire company was purchased and insurance rates were lowered. The prompt ef fectiveness of this company’s service has since been demonstrated many times. The year 1916 stands out as a most remarkable one in our history. That was the year of the unpresendented flood. Two weeks of continous rain fall so MnnvTAiM r ariv_ft loosened the soil on our steep mountain sides, that in many places acres of it would slide down into the gorges like a volanches of lava, carrying trees and boulders on their crests and leaving destruction in their path. Railroad beds and bridges, highways and highway bridges were wrecked or swept away to such an extent tha. for a week our modem mountain com munity and its many thousands of summer visitors were as comDletely isolated as were the few pioneers, who first built their cabins here. There was no possible way to get either in or out except afoot, and the crossing of streams made even walking hazardous. Four page copies of Asheville papers, (pages about half the usual size) sold in Black Mountain July 17, 1918 for fifty cents each. HUMAN SKELETON DISCOVERED The discovery of a skeleton Its miles east of town threw the whole community into a fever of excitement a few days in the Spring of 1917. While raking fire lines to protect his father’s property from a forest fire, Mr. Earl Mease jerked out an old shoe from a pile of leaves beside a fallen tree. With the shoe were the lower bones of a m an’s leg. Earl immediately called to a brother, N.A. Mease who was also raking not far away, and together they carefully removed the bedded leaves from under the fallen tree and uncovered a complete human skeleton. It was entirely clothed andtherewere no signs of the body having been in jured by man or beast. Ir pockets of the clothing were a cheap watch, some small change, a few beads and somepebbles that appeared tc be sample of minerals. Tht clothing excepting shoes ant buttons crumbled to dust a' the slightest touch. The count) coroner held an inquest, madi many inquiries, but failed t< find any clue that would lea< to identification or reveal tthi cause of the man’s death. Thi passing of several year brought no solution to th< pHrnnmc furnished kitchen. Bore mystery, so the bones weit finally buried, at the rear of the building in which the Black Mountain Hoisery Mill which stood south of the railroad tracks on Sutton Ave. Many people and many | things of interest connected with our history have not been given attention in this article for lack of space, but we must j not omit some mehtion of the following: Mr. R. Gustavino, the Spanish Inventor of the I famous Gastavino Arch, built a home here in 1897 which the) natives chose to call the Spanish Castle. He also! erected a factory for the ex-1 perimentation of the I manufacture of ornamental I tile. Since his death in 1908 the 1 factory has gone to decay as I has the Spanish Castle. The National Music I Festival-Child of America an] over optimistic imagination I nearly doubled the post-, master's salary in 1916, and brought mail here from all quarters of the globe, kept a I crew of stenographers atl feverish pace for several! months, promised to bring all! the Master Musicians of the! world to Black Mountain in anj annual conclave and carnival,] suddenly became bankrupt, died in poverty and disgrace.] The Klu Klux Klan,| flourished for a couple of I years, spreading itself like “AJ Green Bay Tree”, took thef root-rat, passed away, and lo,| it could not be found! The Chamber of Commerce, born of worthy parents, brought up on milk of op-1 timism, grew to young] manhood. Then it became! anemic from malnutrition, was chloroformed by the] depression, has not wakened] upo. But of our early isolation, through fire and flood, in spite] of political strife and] bickering, Black Mountain] Township has developed into] a modem community with all] the modem advantages and] today with upward look and] forward tread she accepts the] challenge of the future, with] calm assurance. As promised last week, this I will be followed by many other more detailed “Sketches From Black Mountain.” 1 ered bv State road. Situated Rustic 3 bedroom. 2 bath home available on North Cotton Ave. GaraRe and family room space in basement, lovely decks for relaxation. Plenty of storage area. *33,000.00 Available soon. 3 bedroom tri-level in Sourwood Ridge. Buy now and choose your carpet colors. Fireplace. 2 baths, eat in kitchen. Finished family room. . *•><■»«« MONTREAT ROAI) — Excellent older home with fenced rear yard. Walking distance to town. 2 or 3 bedroom, spacious living area. $36,500 Scenic view drive. 3 bedroom home in quiet neighborhood. Excellent buy. loan assump tion available *'6M0 Two story building with upstairs apartment furnished, have your business on ground floor or lease to present occupant. *250.00 month lease income both units. *24,100.00 North Park Lane — Two bedroom home in quiet neighborhood. Excellent couple or retirees. Ridgecrest — Two homes. One four bedroom, four baths, fireplace in master bedroom easy access to 1-40. One three bedroom summer cottage. Vacation home on two large lots. Very Private. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room with stone fireplace. Completely furnished. Excellent condition. $32, 000. MONTREAT ROAD — Ideal business location for small business or office. Also, can be used for nice residence. 2 bedroom, living room, dining, one bath. Large lot with garden GROVEMONT — This three bedroom older home has a formal dining room and a fireplace in the living room. It has a full basement and is located on more than an acre of property with a stream. $29,950 McDOWELL COUNTY — This three bedroom home is located on two acres with two mobile home spaces. It is in a quiet neighborhood and has a garden space. $3 , 1 CHARMALDKE ACRES — Recently remodeled home has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen, dining room with beautiful fireplace in living room, and sun room for sitting. Partial basement for storage. Carport. Large lot is exquisitely landscaped. $43,500. East Buncombe’s Largest Builder of National Homes MURK KAMII.IKS LINK IN NATIONAL HOMES THAN ANY OTHER HOMES IN THE NATION N. C. Contractors License 8092 Multiple Listing Service LAUREL LANE — This is one of our larger homes with four bedrooms, two baths, living room and sunken den. both have fireplaces, formal dining room and basement. Secluded lot, $49,500. INVESTMENT PROPERTY — A store building for retail services or duplex apart ments. Two bedroom home in rear of building for rental income. $31,000 ON DEAD END STREET — This beautiful all brick home features 3 bedrooms, formal dining room, living room, large kitchen and family room with fireplace. The full basement provides excellent work shop and recreation area. The large lot has excellent garden area. $36,500 ESTATE SALE — Large, older home with excellent possibilities for remodeling - property consists of a small duplex and a small guest cottage - large garden space - excellent for investment purposes $52,500 SUMMERRAVEN — This furnished home is an excellent summer retreat with a large lot and much privacy. $17,000 OUTSIDE CITY — Like new four bedroom, 2*,2 bath home located on spacious lot. Ex tremely well planned and built. You must see to appreciate the many fine features of this exquisite home. Nearly 2 acres, all fenced. $66,000 Proudly Serving W.N.C. For 27 Years VALLEY REALTY & INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. □ REALTOR - 100 State Street Black Mountain, N.C. Office Phone 669-7111 JOE WILLIAMS TOM SOBOL BUD HANEY (Evenings: 669-6935 (Evenings: 669-6163) (Evenings: 669-6991) ( on 35 acres with trout stream and meadows. Secluded Owner Financing 145,000 OLD FORT — Nice remodeled cabin with 13 acres and stream ... 2 bedrooms $26,000 BROAD RIVER — This two bedroom cabin is completely furnished. It is an excellent summer home with a beautiful view for only $21,000 RENTAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE — INQUIRE AT OFFICE UNFURNISHED APARTMENT Spacious view and grounds. 2 bedrooms, large living room, fully carpeted, kitcheni ap pliances furnished, ample parking. Only minutes from l'4“ '0®'ack Mountain. Con venient shopping. Meadow View Apartments. Call 669-7111 or 669-6630. ACREAGE & LOTS McDOWELL COUNTY — Two tracts of land with suitable farm acreage. One has 67 acres, one has 41 acres. Contact office for details. 5 Lots Over Acre each with beautiful view of the golf course. Craggies. Elevation 2.600 ft. $6,000 each CHARMALDE ACRES— Lot neat top gives excellent view of Swannanoa Valley. 3,000 ft. elevation. LOTS — Beautiful view of Mt. Mitchell from almost 1 acre - 5 minutes from town. $7,500 One Acre Lot in Hickory Ridge Estates. $5,500 Commercial Property at Swannanoa Interchange - contact office for details. INVESTMENT PROPERTIES — 27 tracts of land from 1 acre to 1,200 acres - suitable for development or long-term investments. See us now for your choice of over 3,700 acres of mountain property. 1 HIGH HOCK ACRES — Tremendous front and back views of the mouutains...housc has .t BR's 2 baths, large eat in kitchen, den. full basement, fireplace, secluded *«•'»"
The Black Mountain News (Black Mountain, N.C.)
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Dec. 2, 1976, edition 1
12
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