Over the past few weeks Picturing the Past has featured
some of the older homes in Brevard. 
Information and photographs on these and other older homes throughout
the county are available through the architectural survey that was undertaken
in 1990-1991.  In order to be included structures
had to be at least 50 years old at the time of the survey and not greatly
altered. 

During the middle of the 20^th century Brevard
and surrounding areas experienced substantial growth.  In 1930 the county’s population was 9,589.  Over the next three decades Transylvania
County grew to 12,241 residents in 1940 and 15,194 in 1950.  This can be attributed to two main
factors.  First, the opening of Ecusta
paper mill brought a large number of jobs and new workers to the county.  Second, following WWII young men and women married and started families as they returned
from military service.  This was the beginning of the Baby Boomer
generation.

By the late 1940s and into the 1950s there was a housing
shortage and new homes of all types and sizes were being constructed.  Beginning in June 1947, the Ecusta Echo often
ran photographs and brief descriptions of new homes constructed by
employees.   The houses of this era tended to be
smaller and have less architectural detail than those of the late 1800s and
early 1900s but varied in architectural style and type of construction material.

Local rock was a common type of building material.  Mr. and Mrs. Eb Morrow and Harry Lee Hogsed in
the Dunn’s Rock community, Mr. and Mrs. S.R. Harrington in the Cherryfield
community, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Frady in Little River, Jack Brown in the Penrose
community, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bryson on Elm Bend Rd. all built homes of rock
or with rock facing.  They ranged in
style from two-story Cape Cod to traditional ranch.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Israel constructed a new home in the Little River community in 1954.

Small to medium size one-story, wood-frame homes were also
popular.  Constructed was
often completed by the homeowner.  An article
in the July 1948 Echo stated, “It would be difficult to estimate the number of
houses now under construction or recently finished by Ecustans.”  Employees from just the Inspections
Department were building homes in the Blantyre, Boyleston, Brevard, Glade
Creek, and Little River areas of Transylvania County, as well as the Etowah and
Horseshoe areas of Henderson County.

Another option for small homes was pre-fabrication.  The basic features of these small homes were similar
but homeowners could individualize the exterior appearance with porches,
shutters, window boxes, and landscaping.

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 [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.