The
Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library recently received a
donation of the Buck Forest Scrapbook from the Friends of DuPont State Forest. The
scrapbook appears to have been a promotional item for the Buck Forest Club.

In
1941 Frank Coxe organized the exclusive Buck Forest Club, permitting hunting
and fishing for its members on the property.  The club leased over 5000 acres that had been
owned by the Coxe family for many years.

The scrapbook
includes a map showing Buck Forest in relationship to Asheville and
Hendersonville, a hand drawn diagram of the Little River within the boundary of
Buck Forest, photographs, newspaper clippings and a postcard illustrate the
property.  Handwritten captions of the
river and waterfalls beginning one mile above Corn Shoals and running to the
head of Cascade Lake describe distances, elevation drops and fishing
opportunities. 

Bridal Veil Cabin

There
are an additional dozen photographs showing accommodations available to club
members.  One description reads, “Two
views of the Bridal Veil cabin, built in 1936. 
This house, together with the Stillwell House, Hooker Cabin, and the
Club House are to be available for the exclusive use of club members as they
see fit.  Bridal Veil cabin is completely
furnished and has running water already installed.  There is an indoor and outdoor
fireplace.  The interior dimensions are
30 x 30 with kitchen extension.  There is
an outside bunkhouse for a servant.” 
Several of these photographs show the interior and exterior of the club
house located across from High Falls.

At
some point the original stained wood hinged front and back covers of the
scrapbook were removed and photocopies were made.  Those, along with the 20-page scrapbook, have
all been laminated.

The club house offered a view of High Falls.

The scrapbook,
which dates from the early 1940s, offers a glimpse into one era in the rich
history of the Buck Forest area.  The
club leased the property until April 1956 when the timber rights were sold to
the Carr Lumber Company.  In September
1956 E. I. DuPont purchased over 10,000 acres from the Frank Coxe estate and
the Guion Farm in Henderson County to build the first full-scale silicon plant
in the United States.

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.