The first cars began to appear in Transylvania County around 1907 when it was noted that Mr.
and Mrs. Vanderbilt visited the Pink Beds by automobile.  In February 1909, the Sylvan Valley News
teased that Brevard would be getting its first auto owner and the editor had
been extended an invitation for a ride.

An
April 9, 1909 article boasted, “Brevard
is to be congratulated on having within her borders an up-to-date, high-toned,
first-class, 25-horse-power automobile as a permanent fixture.”  The vehicle belonged to H.P. Clarke.  The editor was given his promised ride and
declared, “An auto ride is exhilarating, and as we didn’t have any hair to
‘hold on’ it was enjoyed to the full limit.”

Two
months later two additional Brevard men purchased vehicles in Columbia, SC and had them delivered.  A June 11, 1909 Sylvan
Valley News article reported, “Two
auto-buggies, the property of Dr. E.S. English and J.L. Aiken, have arrived in
town.  They were driven overland from
Anderson, S.C., coming first by Saluda Gap. 
At Green River they were met by high water, and had to go around by
Jones Gap.  Again they were detained over
night at H.P. Clarke’s by high water, reaching Brevard Thursday morning.”  English and Aiken took driving lessons so
they could serve as their own chauffeurs.

A year
later Mr. Clarke purchased two new automobiles, a hup-mobile and a Stearns
7-passenger car.  The Sylvan Valley News
proclaimed the hup-mobile as “the classiest little car we have seen this year.”

Articles
announcing injuries and deaths caused by automobiles were a weekly feature in
the newspaper.  Although these occurred
all across the country, most often in cities, safety was of great concern by
local officials, as well.  State law set
the speed limit at a maximum of 10 mph in business districts, 15 mph in
residential areas and 25 mph on public highways.  State laws also required all vehicles and drivers be licensed. 

The
Town of Brevard passed speed limit ordinances with hefty fines for those who
did not comply.  In 1913, the speed limit
was lowered from 10 mph to 8 mph on straight streets and 4 mph at crossings and
corners.  Drivers were also required to
sound their horn when approaching
intersections.  In addition, vehicles had
to have two white lights on the front and a red light on the back after sunset
and before daylight.  Automobiles were
also required to have mufflers.

Brevard businessman Jim Bromfield, pictured here driving  one of several vehicles he owned, was another early  automobile enthusiast.

North
Carolina’s “Good Roads Campaign” had been around since 1899 but grew with the
popularity of the automobile.  It
promoted road building through quality methods of construction leading to the
state nickname of “Good Roads State.”

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. For more information, comments, or
suggestions contact NCRoom staff at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.