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Archive for History

Thirteenth Anniversary of Beacon Mill Fire

by FANS Admin
August 16th, 2016

It’s hard to believe that almost 13 years have passed since that fateful day in 2003 when an arsonist set fire to the Beacon mill. The September 3rd fire was one of the largest in North Carolina history, eventually consuming most of the mill buildings, and marking the end of an era in Swannanoa. The mill had closed its doors the previous year, and although no one was physically injured in the blaze, the emotional toll on the community is still felt today.

In honor of the generations of Swannanoa families who made their living at the mill, we’re sharing an historical photo (below) of Beacon employees posing outside the machine shop. Just before the beginning of World War II, Beacon employed more than 2,200 people in Swannanoa.

Beacon Mill in NC employee photo

Photo courtesy of the Swannanoa Valley Museum.

Categories Beacon Mill, History

Swannanoa’s Old Farmer’s Ball Keeps Mountain Traditions Alive

by FANS Admin
June 23rd, 2016

Western North Carolina’s long tradition of community dancing continues every Thursday night in Bryson Gym on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The weekly contra dance is a high energy event, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic dancers — beginners and experts, young and old — from all around the region. For those who may not be familiar with contra dancing, it’s a group dance, similar (but not identical) to square dancing, with a “caller” who calls out the steps in time with the music.

The Old Farmer’s Ball had its genesis back in the mid-1930s, with a small family-owned and operated dance hall on Warren Wilson College Road, known as the Farmer’s Ball. The dance hall was originally built for family get-togethers, but it took on a life of its own, eventually becoming a public square dance that attracted as many as 100 couples every Saturday night. The sounds of fiddle, banjo and guitar filled the night. The Farmer’s Ball remained a popular gathering spot until the mid-1950s, when the original owner sold the property and moved to Old Fort.

But that was not to be the end of community dancing in Swannanoa. In 1982, caller Fred Parks started a new community dance in the old building, this time calling it the “Old Farmer’s Ball.” Dancers and musicians gathered there every Thursday night until March of 1993, when the “Blizzard of the Century” dumped over two feet of snow on our area, collapsing part of the dance hall roof. The following week, the dance moved to Warren Wilson College’s Bryson Gym, where it continues to this day.

Newcomers are always welcome at the Thursday night dances. A lesson for beginners starts at 7:30; the main dance begins at 8:00. Cost is $5 for Old Farmer’s ball members; $6 for non-members. Bryson Gym is located on the Warren Wilson College campus at 701 Warren Wilson College Road. For more information, visit www.oldfarmersball.com.

Editor’s Note: Much of the factual information in this article was gleaned from a history of the Old Farmer’s Ball written by long-time caller, dancer and musician, Phil Jamison.

Farmer's Ball Building

This photo shows the original Farmer’s Ball building on Warren Wilson College Road. Though in disrepair, the building still stands today.

Categories History, Warren Wilson College

Museum Sponsors Tour of “Old Town” Swannanoa

by FANS Admin
April 20th, 2016

Old photo of railroad in Swannanoa, NCIf you’re a relative newcomer to this area, you may not even realize that Swannanoa was once home to a thriving downtown, known to locals as “The Station.” The old downtown area was bordered by the Beacon Blanket mill and the railroad tracks, and was the center of activity for Swannanoa, and particularly for the many residents who lived in nearby Beacon Village. Swannanoa’s downtown included many cafes, grocery stores, a drug store, a bank, a movie theater, a five-and-dime, and other variety stores.

On Saturday, June 4, at 10 a.m., join the Swannanoa Valley Museum for a tour of the old downtown area and the historic buildings that were once a part of the mill town. Learn about the history of this area, and see what’s happening in the old downtown today. Cost of the tour is $20 for museum members; $30 for non-members. To register and get information about the tour meeting place, call 828-668-9566 or send an email to info@swannanoavalleymuseum.org.

Categories History, Swannanoa Valley Museum

Swannanoa Trivia – 10

by FANS Admin
March 9th, 2016

Answer this Swannanoa trivia question to earn bragging rights as a “Swannanoa Scholar” (see correct answer by placing mouse pointer immediately after or below the question).

Q. Did Beacon Blankets ever manufacture clothing? Well, not quite, but almost. Beacon sold kits for making bathrobes out of its blanket cloth. Home sewers could buy the fabric and a kit that contained everything needed to make a robe, including a Beacon label. The robes were worn in several classic Hollywood movies. The character “Kramer” also wore Beacon robes on the popular TV show, Seinfeld. A web search reveals that vintage Beacon robes can still be purchased today on eBay and similar sites.

 

Robe made from Beacon Blanket material

 

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Do you have a Swannanoa trivia question you’d like to submit for possible inclusion in a future newsletter edition? If so, please click here to send us an email.

Categories History, Other Swannanoa News, Recent News
Next Page »
  • New Park Takes Shape in Swannanoa’s Grovemont Community
  • The Swannanoa Community Yard Sale is Back!
  • Get Your Groove On at the Final Groovin’ on Grovemont Outdoor Concert on August 10
  • Save Money on Your Energy Bills With the Help of Energy Savers Network
  • County Seeks Community Input on Library Proposal That Includes Consolidation of Swannanoa and Black Mountain Libraries
  • The Swannanoa Community Garden is Buzzing With Activity
  • Warren Wilson College Named “Best Buy” School
  • Check Out the New “Barn Quilts” on the Warren Wilson College Barns
  • Postcards From the Past
  • “Pickin’ on the Porch” at Black Mountain Center for the Arts
  • Swannanoa Welcome Table Plans to Resume Free Meals Soon
  • Tiny Tots Yoga at the Swannanoa Library
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Friends And Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS)
P.O. Box 697
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 581-9848
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  • About Swannanoa
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      • A Brief History
      • Beacon Blankets
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      • Yard Sale Fall 2014
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    • Other Events
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      • River Cleanup
      • Mill Around the Village 2011
      • Mill Around the Village 2012
      • Holiday Party and Benefit 2012
      • Dave’s House Wall Raising in Beacon Village
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