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The Evolution of Western North Carolina: Railroads, Factories, and Mill Villages

Western North Carolina saw a significant transformation in the late 19th century, becoming a hub for agriculture, tourism, logging, and mining. The advent of railroads, starting with the first in Buncombe County in 1879, facilitated transportation for these industries. Alongside, factory work emerged, with many families transitioning from farms to textile mills and tobacco production. Mill villages sprang up, providing housing and community spaces for workers. Key figures like Calvin Smith and George J. Studdert contributed to the social and civic life of these evolving small towns.

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The Evolution of Western North Carolina: Railroads, Factories, and Mill Villages

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Industry in NC Railroads Factories Small Town Businesses Mill Villages

  2. Railroads • Asheville was a crossroads for agriculture, was also an immerging as a magnet for tourism, and loggers looking to harvest timber, and miners looking for large mineral deposits, with the growing market for tourism and logging needs for transportation where growing so a need for railroads where growing on march 27 1879 after several years of difficult construction the first railroad in Western NC entered buncombe county through Swannanoa.

  3. Railroads • The Murphy branch of the WNC railroad made it to the pigeon river (present day Canton) on January 5th 1882 and Waynesville later the same year. • The railroads where often given nicknames by locales that caught on quite fast the two most popular nicknames where given to the first two railroads in NC where “eat taters and Where no clothes.” the safest way to travel to Boone was the ET railroad

  4. Factories • Rural people faced a difficult transition from farms to factories • Most people worked in tobacco production plants and textile mills • It was hard dangerous work and it involved whole families just like farm work had. • Most workers lived in mill villages that company’s had created as a place for workers to live (with rent of course)

  5. Mill Villages and Small Towns • 92% of all textile and factory workers lived in mill villages • The supervisors would send for children if they needed a little extra help in the factories • The supervisors home had one floor and four rooms • Mill villages had supervisors home, church, school, and a company store • The mill operated pool halls and barber shops

  6. Mill Villages and Small Towns • Calvin smith was the pastor of the Presbyterian church • L.P. Boggle, pastor was the pastor of the Methodist church • George J. Studdert was the mayor of this small town

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