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Over the
past two weeks Picturing the Past has looked at two of Transylvania’s
automobile dealerships.  Whitmire Motor
operated in the 1920s and McCrary Auto from the early 1930s through the
mid-1990s.  Throughout the 1900s there
were numerous automotive shops that sold both new and used automobiles and
provided repair services.

In addition
to McCrary Auto, three of the longest operating new car dealerships were
Duckworth (later Duckworth-Lyda, then Lyda-McCrary) Motor Company, Hayes Motor
Company, and Goodwill Motor Company.

Duckworth Motor Company, 1938.

Walter Duckworth
had worked at Duckworth Drug prior to serving in the Naval Corps during WWI.  He became the local Ford dealer and opened Duckworth
Motor Company in the late 1930s.  Few Lyda
had worked for Ecusta for many years but got tired of the travel associated
with his position.  In 1958 Lyda jumped
at the opportunity to join his uncle in the automotive business and became a
partner with Duckworth.  Walter Duckworth
retired two years later, selling his share of the business to Jud McCrary.  McCrary, a mechanic, had been the Parts
Manager at McCrary Auto.  Lyda-McCrary
Ford was located across Broad Street from the original Duckworth Motor Company
at the Appletree Street intersection. 
They closed in 1978.

Inside Hayes Motor Company, 1960.

Freeman
Hayes had owned and operated Hayes Motor Company for many years when he ran for
and was elected sheriff of Transylvania County in 1942.  As sheriff he was paid $260 per month.  From his pay Hayes had to pay a full-time
deputy and for operating expenses.  He
also had to furnish his own vehicle.  In
December 1944 Hayes resigned as sheriff because of the low pay for the office
and to devote more time to his automotive business.  He continued to operate the business until
1974. 

Goodwill Motor Company, 1951.


On December
30, 1944 W.L. Baughan and Vernon Frick joined into partnership with W.C.
Burrell in his automobile business and repair shop located across N. Broad
Street from the present Transylvania County Library.  In November 1948 Frick sold his share to
Baughan.  Burrell and Baughan then
incorporated the business as Goodwill Motor Company.    Frick built a new building and opened a Buick
dealership
beside
Goodwill Motors in June 1949.  Frick later
purchased Goodwill Motors as well.  When
Frick retired, due to health reasons, he sold the business to three of his
employees.  Goodwill Motor Company
closed in 1985.

In addition
to selling new cars, all three dealerships sold used cars, had service, repair
and body shops, painted cars, and operated a full service filling station.

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.

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212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC 28712