Historic Map - Black Mountain, NC - 1912
Description
This panoramic print of Black Mountain, North Carolina was drawn and published by Fowler & Browning in 1912. Black Mountain’s town booster of 1912 states:
”Black Mountain, in “The Land of the Sky”. Black Mountain, the gateway to the most beautiful mountains, in all America is located on the Southern Railway, sixteen miles east of Asheville, on the picturesque plateau of the famous Swannanoa Valley, an Altitude of 2,500 feet above the level of the sea. It is surrounded by many lofty mountains of the Blue Ridge, from which a water supply equal to any in the world is obtained from crystal-like mountain streams.
The Southern Railway trains coming into Black Mountain from the east, begin their ascent into “The Land of the Sky”, near the town of Old Fort. Leaving a limitless level country, your train, assisted by a helper engine, climbs to the very crest of the Blue Ridge to your destination. You pass through rugged scenes, alongside foaming mountain streams, through misty canons, the beauty of which rivals the most interesting panoramas ever unfolded to the eye of man. At one point during the ascent the railway is visible at seventeen different points. As you reach this part of your journey you see upon all sides the beautiful landscapes covered with balsam and the towering pines, with undergrowth carpeted with the most fragrant flowers.
Through the Tunnels.
On your way into Black Mountain from the east, your train pierces the crest of the Blue Ridge through many tunnels. The trip is replete with beautiful and awe-inspiring views of towering peaks and gently sloping valleys. At many places your train winds along a narrow bed cleft through deep cuts where the cheerful sunshine is shut out forever. Again it travels along over an S-shaped loop where the sun shines alternately on each side of the car. The trip will show you one of the most remarkable achievements in railroad engineering in the world.
In sight of Black Mountain.
Upon nearing your destination you arrive at a point that enables bird’s-eye-view of Black Mountain, with the lofty Craggies (6,103 Feet) in the background. You also notice at this point the new railroad of Dickey & Campbell, which starts its climb over the mountains to Mount Mitchell. This is one of the most wonderful undertakings ever accomplished in modern railroading. Accommodations will be afforded for tourists to and from this mountain. This trip alone is one that will always linger in your memory.
Into Black Mountain.
You now arrive at your destination, where you will find the best accommodations at well-equipped hotels and boarding-houses. Conveyances are always at hand to carry you to personally conducted pleasure trips through the mountains. Wagon roads have already been built to the crests of many of the lofty mountains nearby. To make the dizzy ascent the roads are built in a series of switchbacks, and you literally climb a flight of stairs in reaching the summit, where you see a panorama of matchless beauty spread before your vision, and in every direction you see towering peaks of fame, including the Craggies, High Top mountain, Grey-Beard, Black and Blue Ridge mountains.
The depot of the Southern Railway is one of the finest on the Asheville-Salisbury division. Black Mountain is fortunate in its excellent train service- five trains arrive and depart daily and Sunday, east and west. Five U. S. mails- two east and three west- afford prompt communication with other parts of the country.
Pleasant mountain drives.
One of the pleasant features of Black Mountain and vicinity is the beautiful mountains drives over macadam roads recently built by the township at a cost of nearly fifty thousand dollars. These roads wind among the picturesque mountains, over rippling streams on their mad rush from the rugged mountains far above. You drive through a seemingly dense forest of beautiful flowers, consisting of rhododendron, laurel and many others. The bracing mountain air makes your drive one of pleasure and contentment.
Mount Mitchell, to the North rises her bulk to an altitude of 6,711 feet the highest point east of the Rockies and is named in honor of Prof. Elisha Mitchell, who lost his life on June 27, 1857, while exploring the then unknown region. His body lies buried on the summit of the mountain and a handsome monument has been erected over his grave. Mount Mitchell is visited by thousands of tourists during the year, many spending the night there to view the unsurpassed sunrise; as it peeps above the horizon it unfolds before the eye a superb panorama of dull foot-hills, pine-covered mountains and towering crags for miles on every hand. A rest-house has been built near the summit for the accommodation of those who do not care to camp out. Mount Mitchell can be most conveniently reached from Black Mountain over the Dickey & Campbell railroad, a run of sixteen miles. To make this trip up through the beautiful mountains of the Blue Ridge, past many foaming cascades, and spend a few hours on the summit of this mountain, then back to Black Mountain in the cool of the evening, is to have added to your experience one of the most delightful days you have ever spent.
Two miles to the east is Ridgecrest, the Southern Assembly Grounds of the Baptist Denomination.
Ridgecrest is for the Southern Baptists the Mecca for those who wish a quiet, restful summer home and a place where they may gather inspiration and fresh enthusiasm for their work. The Assembly feature, however, is the thing for which Ridgecrest is established. Here during the summer months, there are great gatherings of those interested in Bible study. There are conferences on education, B. Y. P. U. work, Baraca and Philathea work, the Sunday school, Evangelistic missions, orphanage work and the various other lines of religious activity in which the Baptists are engaged. Besides the religious and educational exercises which are conducted during July and August by leading Baptists of the South, the different forms of amusement provided on the grounds are of such a nature that all Christian people may engage in them; opportunities are afforded for mountain climbing, camping parties, fishing and various athletic sports; drives can be taken over well built roads.
Two miles to the north is Montreat, the headquarters of the Presbyterian Churches of the South.
It is a summer resort in the mountains of Western North Carolina, with elimination of some features objectionable to Christian people and with the addition of a pleasing variety of entertainment and instruction.
The conferences include every phase of church work, together with lectures by men of national and international reputation on scientific, educational and popular subjects.
The Association owns and operates two hotels, equipped with modern conveniences together with one hundred and twenty-five cottages which have been built, most of which are summer homes. One a month has been erected for the past three years and there is room for more.
Recreation includes mountain climbing, horseback riding, driving, swimming, boating, bowling, tennis and baseball.
Hundreds of teachers, pastors, church workers, students, business and professional men, mothers, young people, children and babies will find the tonic air, the quiet restful surroundings and the refined social and Christian influences desired in a summer outing.
Two mile to the south you will find Blue Ridge, the summer assembly grounds of the International Y. M. C. A. for Christian conferences.
The first gathering held on the Blue Ridge grounds was that of the summer Conference of the Young Women’s Christian Association, on June 5th to 14th, inclusive.
Then following the Southern Student Conference of the Young Men’s Christian Association. In this were gathered the male students from the Southern schools, colleges and universities.
The Missionary Educational Movement occupies certain dates. In this conference gather the young people from the Southern churches.
Two weeks are taken up with institutes and conferences of the Young Men’s Christian Association for city, railroad, industrial, rural and other departments.
From middle of July till late in the season the buildings are opened to the public and during this period many people throughout the South spend their vacations on these grounds, which are commodious, with new equipment, electric lights, a splendid water system, elegant baths, both tub and shower; macadamized roads and other improvements. A special series of Bible lectures are run throughout this entire season, so that those who cared for the same could have these advantages.
High Top Mountain.
But a short walk from the town is High Top Mountain, with macadam roads leading almost to its base. This makes an ideal trip for the summer tourists, especially those seeking new sensations. Many of these spend a month away from the crowded cities, rambling over our rugged mountains, where nature has strewn her rarest flora(?) in lavish profusion. No other place in all North Carolina abounds with such unusual attractions. You return to the hotel in the evening, where you sleep in comfort between blankets while the rest of the world is sweltering.
Along the Swannanoa River.
But a short drive from Black Mountain flows the stream of the Swannanoa river. This affords a most beautiful sight as it comes roaring down through the mountains and in many places forms a rapids as it dashes over huge rocks. Its crystal-like appearance with overhanging pines proves a sight most beautiful. Many different species of fish, including mountain trout, can be caught in this stream.
A Few of our Churches.
If you are religiously inclined you will find in Black Mountain several places of worship that in appearance and equipment would do justice to any town of its size in the country. Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Christian. Services are held at the Presbyterian Assembly Auditorium in Montreat and the Baptist Assembly Auditorium in Ridgecrest. Many of the Gospel will be found here during the summer months.
Schools.
There is one large Graded Public School, under the supervision of the County Superintendent of Public schools."
The image includes streets, buildings and railroad route. It features corner photographs of the following:
• Through the Double Tunnels, near Black Mountain.
• Baptist Church. M. E. Church, South. M. E. Church, North.
• Arriving at Station, Black Mountain.
• Along the Swannanoa River.
Listed Prominent Business People:
BOARDING HOUSES:
Mount Mitchell Inn.
Mrs. Z. V. Crawford.
Mrs. A. A. Northcor.
Miss E. C. Johnson.
Mrs. P. A. Gauble.
Mrs. G. A. Sprague.
Mrs. T. B. Waddill.
Major Wilson.
OFFICERS:
L. W. Morgan, Mayor.
COUNCILMEN:
J. W. McKoy.
A. J. Terrill.
Z. V. Crawford.
POSTMASTER:
G. W. Stepp.
BANKS:
Commonwealth Bank. J. W. McKoy, President. C. E. Cotton M. D., Vice President. A. A. Hegeman, Cashier. J. A. Porter, Cashier. C. C. Lord, Cashier. W. C. Hall, Cashier.
BLACKSMITHS AND WHEELWRIGHTS:
Casey and Davis.
CONTRACTORS & BUILDERS:
Daugherty, Green & Daugherty.
DEPARTMENT STORES:
E. H. Taylor & Co.
DRUGGISTS:
Black Mountain Pharmacy.
FURNITURE:
J. I. Bradham.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE:
W. C. Hall.
Morgan Kinsey & Co.
GENERAL REPAIRING:
J. M. Thomas.
GROCERS:
Morgan Kinsey & Co.
W. C. Hall.
Yates & McQuire.
J. J. Allred & Co.
P. A. Cauble.
R. H. Reed.
Queen & Glenn.
HARDWARE:
Pemberton and Company.
W. C. Hall.
HOTELS:
Gladstone.
Commercial Hotel and Café.
Black Mountain Inn.
Blue Ridge (Y. M. C. A.).
Rainbow Terrace.
HAY, FEED, ETC:
Morgan Kinsey & Co.
Carolina Feed Co.
Brown Bros.
INSURANCE:
Hegeman & Currier.
P. M. Mashburn.
JEWELERS:
K. E. Redfoot.
A. B. Bays.
LAWYERS:
J. D. Eckles.
LIVERY:
Brown Bros.
J. I. Bradham.
LUMBER:
Dickey & Campbell, Wholesale.
Highland Spruce Co., Wholesale.
Black Mountain Lumber Co., Retail.
MEATS:
R. E. Anderson.
MILLINERY:
E. H. Taylor & Co.
J. J. Allred & Co.
W. C. Hall.
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Gregg’s Studio.
PHYSICIANS:
I. J. Archer, M. D.
E. C. Cotton, M. D.
B. F. Landes, M. D.
A. J. Terrill, M. D.
REAL ESTATE:
Hegeman & Currier.
P. M. Mashburn.
TAILORS:
City Pressing Club.
TONSORIALISTS:
J. E. McLean.
S. T. Coggins.
BOARD OF TRADE:
Geo. W. Stepp, President.
Dr. C. E. Cotton, 1st Vice President.
F. L. Jackson, 2nd Vice President.
Guy H. Dobbins, Secretary-Treasurer.
TRADE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Dr. C. E. Cotton.
W. C. Hall.
Geo. W. Stepp.
T. A. Brown.
F. L. Jackson.
J. W. McKoy.
Dr. B. F. Landes.
J. D. Eckles.
C. C. Boone.
A complete date is always kept up to date, those seeking further information address Board of Trade, Black Mountain, N. C.
Materials
Archive Paper
Premium fine art paper that provides accurate color reproduction with high-contrast, high-resolution print output and maximum image permanence. A high-quality print ready for framing.
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- Museum quality paper for high-quality fine art.
- Ultra smooth, neutral white matte finish.
- Heavy-weight 230 gsm, 9.5 mil thickness.
- Printed with pigment inks for longer print life and enhanced fade resistance.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Luster Photo Paper
A premium semi-gloss photo paper with a subtle texture that produces a vivid, richly detailed print. This material results in an exquisitely detailed giclee print of substantially higher quality than a standard poster.
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- Printed on 10 mil premium luster photo paper resulting in a brilliant, colorful image with a vivid life-like quality.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
- Inks have a lightfastness rating of over 100 years, guaranteeing minimal noticeable fading over a very long period of time.
- Printed using very high resolution source files.
- Giclee printing is superior to traditional lithography in a number of ways: colors are brighter, lasts longer, and is a higher resolution.
Canvas on Wood Rails
A canvas giclee print is mounted to wooden hanging rails placed along the top and bottom of the map. Ready to hang on the wall using the attached hanging cord. Wood rails feature a natural finish.
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- Premium 19 mil canvas material.
- Wood rails are 1 1/8" wide, round front.
- USA sourced solid maple wood.
- High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Canvas Gallery Wrap
A high quality canvas giclee print is hand stretched over a sturdy wood frame. Printed on demand and handcrafted in Seattle, WA. The canvas gallery wrap serves as a stunning piece of art ready to hang on your wall.
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- Premium 19 mil canvas material.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
- High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
- Durable canvas mounted to a 1" deep wood frame.
- Ready to hang with included easy-to-use hanging kit.