Blue Ridge Assembly Post
Card Collection
Blue Ridge History and Timeline
Updated:
1/29/2020
The
growth of Blue Ridge over the past 100 years is very interesting. Like most
organizations, Blue Ridge as flushed and struggled. But even during the darkest
times, Blue Ridge continued. To
give perspective, major world, national, local events have been included in
blue type. Information from my post card collection,
based on readable postmark dates, is included in red type. History on the Blue Ridge NC Post Office is on the Post Office History and Postmark
pages (some highlights are also in this Timeline). Source material within the
timeline is also listed on the Publications and References
page. Within the timeline are “AU” links. These jump to notes at the bottom of
the timeline that reference “pieces” of information that cannot be fully connected
together (yet) or are other interesting pieces or information about
conferences, events, cottages construction, and people of Blue Ridge. The
timeline contains “Quote from” from various brochures, publications, or
newspapers to give context or reference for the time.
Links
to the original source documentation / newspaper is provided. For most
college/university newspapers, the entire edition is included. For most daily
newspapers, the front page and the page with the article is included (sometimes
the article can be a little difficult to find on the page). Some documents are
very large because they are collections. In this case, page numbers are
provided.
NOTE:
Books and articles reflect the times they were written. Some language, used at
the time, may no longer be acceptable. Language, writing styles, and terms used
should be taken within historical context. Some newspapers are published by
religions organizations and reflect the organization’s or author’s view (at the
time of publication). Inclusion of religious-based newspapers and publications
is to support the historical research of Blue Ridge Assembly and WD
Weatherford.
Copyright
of all material belongs to the original publisher/author. Inclusion of material
is to support the historical research of Blue Ridge Assembly and WD
Weatherford.
This
timeline is in the process of being updated. More dates, events, and references
will be added. Suggestions, corrections, reports of dead links, etc. can be
emailed to blueridge@mmpe.net.
Blue Ridge, NC Post Office – Publications / Timeline
Blue Ridge Postmasters and Postmarks (by date)
Publications and References (includes some articles, etc. not included in
the timelines)
----------------------------------------------
1902: Weatherford named Student Secretary for the South International Committee
of the YMCA.
July 10, 1902 Nashville
American article: Weatherford
resigns as Tennessee State Student Secretary to start the position of the South
Student Secretary.
August 6, 1902 Nashville
American article: WR Pearson
replaces Weatherford as the new physical director for the Vanderbilt University
gymnasium when Weatherford starts his new job.
December 8, 1904: Weatherford marries Lula Belle
Trawick in Nashville, TN. The couple will live in Atlanta,
GA.
December 3, 1904 Coconino
Sun (Flagstaff AZ), December 9, 1904, Nashville American and October 1905 Vanderbilt University Quarterly, run wedding announcements.
October 6, 1906: Eureka! Blue Ridge site is chosen. Willis
D Weatherford and Alexander L Phillips (superintendent of Sabbath Schools for
the Southern Presbyterian Church) rent a horse and buggy from Asheville NC and
dive to Black Mountain to look at property known as the “Johnson Tract”. After
parking the buggy the two walk up the mountain. Weatherford climbs a tree to
get a look at the view and exclaims: “Eureka, we have found it!” The two return
to Asheville and with Judge JD Murphy borrow $5000 (or $4000) as a down payment
and give personal notes for balance of the purchase price of $11,500 for 952
acres.
August 25, 1918 Tampa
Sunday Tribune article includes
history of Blue Ridge. The article contains an abbreviated version of the
story, but no names.
August 18, 1921 Roanoke
News article includes history
of Blue Ridge. The article does not contain any names.
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement: on page 1 includes the story, but does not mention
climbing the tree. Story is repeated in the 1926 Summary Statement.
July 5, 1931 Asheville
Citizen Times: Article includes
1906 story and history of Blue Ridge (up to 1931)
June 12, 1938 Asheville
Citizen Times: Article includes
1906 story, but does not mention climbing the tree.
1940 Venture of Faith: Document written Weatherford covering Blue Ridge
history up to 1940.
June 7, 1955 Asheville
Citizen: Article includes the
story about Weatherford climbing the tree
July 5, 1964 Asheville
Citizen Times: Runs a photo of
the July 3, 1964, ceremony when a plaque is placed at the base of the tree
1907: Weatherford completes his thesis and earns Doctor of Philosophy from
Vanderbilt University.
Thesis: Fundamental Religions Principals in Browning’s
Poetry
June 19, 1907, Vanderbilt University 32nd
Commencement Program (page 275 of
PDF, page 6 of program) lists Weatherford.
January 23-24, 1907: First Blue Ridge organizational
meeting is held in Charlotte NC.
January 23, 1907, Charlotte News article: “There will be a meeting tonight or
tomorrow of a number of committeemen from various organizations to consider a
plan to arrange for summer conferences at Montreat (sic)…” Representatives
from: Young People’s Missionary Movement (YPMM) and YMCA. (YWCA not mentioned
in the article.)
January 24, 1907, Charlotte News article about “a committee meeting of the
representatives of the Young People’s Missionary Movement…” “At the meeting
this morning the plan of organizing a summer conference camp was freely
discussed.” Only organizations mentioned were YPMM and YMCA.
January 25, 1907, Charlotte Daily Observer article: “Committees representing the Young Men’s
Christian Associations of the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee and
the Young People’s Missionary Movement of the South met here (Charlotte, NC) at
the Central Hotel yesterday and appointed a committee, composed of Messrs. WD
Weatherford, of Atlanta, and JD Murphy, of Asheville, to draw a charter and
make other necessary arrangements to purchase a track of land near Montreat for
the associations represented. It is the purpose of these organizations to buy
about 1,000 acres of land and erect proper buildings for conferences and
conventions and residences. Something like $50,000 will be expended during the
coming summer.” (YWCA not mentioned in article and the name “Blue Ridge” is not
mentioned.)
March 4, 1907 (Postmark date): Post
card promoting the Southern Student Conference to be held in Asheville June
14-23, 1907. Early in Blue Ridge’s history, Weatherford kept his position as
YMCA Student Secretary for the South. x01-1907b01
March 6, 1907: “An Act To Incorporate The Blue
Ridge Association For Christian Conference And Training”
Private Laws of the State of North Carolina as its
Session of 1907:1907-Chapter 318
(page 747). Executive Committee must have at least 21 people, at least three of
must be from the Young People’s Missionary Movement (YPMM) and at least 13 from
the YMCA (YWCA is not mentioned). (Sponsored by Weaver)
Executive Committee: John A Patten,
president; JD Murphy, vice-president; FC Abbott, secretary/treasurer
Business Committee: John A Patten, JD
Murphy, AL Phillips, WD Weatherford, CA Rowland, JW Fisher, FC Abbott
Others Named: LA Coulter, GC Huntington,
CW Kent, FH Helvitt, GC Shall, CC Mitchenaur, WR Lambreth, John L Wheat, Owen
Gathright, JP Jackson, RS Menger, JW Fisher, SW McGee, DL Jackson, __ Thornton
(first name not listed)
As part of coverage of the session,
several newspapers around the state ran lists of bills which included the
incorporation of Blue Ridge.
July 30, 1907 Charlotte Daily Observer article describes “a movement which is of interest
to many people is an effort being put forth to purchase a track of 950 acres of
land...to be used as a place for conventions of religious organizations. To
this end an association has been formed and chartered by the State with the
name ‘The Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conferences and Training’...the
movement under the auspices and control of the YMCA, YWCA, the YPMM, and the
Laymen’s Missionary Movement—all of the South.” (YWCA is mentioned in the
article.)
July 30, 1907 Charlotte
News runs a similar story.
1907: Regional Utilities
-Black Mountain Telephone Company
-Telephone and electric service in Black
Mountain
June
8, 1907: Black Mountain Telephone Company incorporated incorporators: JD Murphy, Marcus L Reed, and JH Tucker.
Activities are to provide telephone service.
September 24, 1907 Charlotte Observer: Black Mountain Telephone Company has connected 30 +/- phones.
May 24, 1909 Asheville Citizen article about the sale of Black Mountain Telephone Company. The article gives history and explains debts.
May 29, 1909: Public Auction of assets of Black Mountain Telephone Company. WH Clark paid $70. Sale was because of debts to Asheville Telephone and Telegraph Company and Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph.
July 24, 1909 Asheville Citizen: Notice of Sale by order of the Superior Court. Western Electric sues and receives judgement for debts owed by Black Mountain Telephone Company.
August 6, 1909: Public Auction of franchise and easement rights of Black Mountain Telephone Company. WH Clark paid $25. Sale was because of debts to Western Electric (supplier of equipment).
August 23, 1909: Sell assets back to Black Mountain Telephone Company. WH Clark sells the assets he purchased at both auctions back to Black Mountain Telephone Company.
(1912: Blue Ridge was built with its own electric light plant, see Blue Ridge Construction Announcements in the timeline.)
April 17, 1913: Asheville Citizen: “The towns of Black Mountain and Montreat are to be afforded all the advantages of electricity was assured at a joint meeting held here (Black Mountain) last night, participated in by the town officials of the two places. A modern hydro-electric plant will be installed at the waterfalls just above Montreat…it will be more than sufficient to supply both towns with light…”
April 18, 1913: Charlotte Observer: one paragraph article: “A citizens’ mass-meeting was held in the school house auditorium Monday night to consider the proposition of giving a 20-year franchise of electric lights to the Mountain Retreat Association of Montreat. The Board of Aldermen was instructed to close the contract. It is expected that lights will be in the town by June 15. The contractors having the work in charge arrived Tuesday to commence work.”
April 6, 1913 Charlotte Observer: In article about the conference centers around Black Mountain, the new electric light plat at Montreat is described in detail. Other details about the electric light plant are explained in August 24, 1913 Charlotte Observer.
May 13, 1913: Black Mountain Telephone Company charter amended. Activities expanded to include providing electric light service and name changed to Black Mountain Telephone Corporation.
June 10, 1913: Charlotte Observer: brief article about Black Mountain Telephone Corporation getting the franchise for electric service: “…When the telephone corporation was organized it was believed that a power company at Montreat would receive the franchise for lighting the streets but the local men (Black Mountain Telephone Corporation) made a bid for the franchise and it has been granted.”
July 8, 1913: Charlotte Observer: “Black Mountain Telephone Corporation, which was recently awarded a contract to install an electric light plant and furnish power for this section for the next 10 years, will submit a franchise for a street car line at the next regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen…”
October 5, 1921: Asheville Citizen: Black Mountain files suit against Black Mountain Telephone Company for failure to provided promised electrical service.
December 18, 1924: Asheville Citizen: North Carolina Electrical Power Company purchases the electrical systems and equipment of Black Mountain Telephone Corporation. (deed)
April 1925: Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph purchases the telephone systems and equipment of Black Mountain Telephone Corporation (deed)
July 24, 1925: Black Mountain Telephone Corporation dissolves.
March 18, 1929 Asheville Citizen: Southern Bell improves equipment and service in Black Mountain. Black Mountain has 264 telephones.
August 18, 1929: Sunday Citizen: Controversy over billing practices of Southern Bell.
February 20, 1954: Asheville Citizen: Calls between Black Mountain and Asheville are no longer long-distance.
November 6, 1964: Asheville Citizen: Southern Bell expands services in Swannanoa area.
June 27, 1907: Weatherford speaks at the joint
Asheville Board of Trade and Asheville Retail Merchants Association meeting
June 28, 1907 Semi-Weekly Citizen (Asheville) and June 28, 1907 Charlotte Observer run articles about
Weatherford’s presentation at the meeting. Weatherford gives details on conference
attendance and dollars spent. He also outlines the need and land. The article
includes the YMCA, YWCA, and the YPMM. “At the joint meeting the object of the
gathering was stated very clearly and concisely. It was to hear a proposition
by Mr. Weatherford looking to the permanent location of these movements in
summer conferences in or near Asheville.” The Charlotte Observer article mentions “…other places were bidding for
the permanent home including Hendersonville and Chattanooga or Lookout
Mountain.”
July 12, 1907: Lula Belle Trawick Weatherford
(1876-1907) dies during child birth. The baby girl
does not survive. Lula Belle is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Clarksville,
TN.
July 13, 1907 Nashville American (two
places on this page)
July 13, 1907 Atlanta Georgian and News
July 13, 1907 Courier
Journal (Louisville KY)
(July 16, 1907 Nashville
Tennessean)
August 1907: Decision
between Asheville and Hendersonville.
June 28, 1907 Charlotte
Observer in an article about
Weatherford’s presentation to the Asheville Board of Trade and Asheville Retail
Merchants Association, it mentions: “…other
places were bidding for the permanent home including Hendersonville and
Chattanooga or Lookout Mountain.”
July 11, 1907 French
Broad Hustler (Hendersonville, NC) article details visit to Hendersonville by Weatherford and Dr. Brown for
“the establishment of the yearly convention and training school for the YMCA
and allied organizations…”
August 3, 1907, Asheville Citizen details the decision to develop property outside of
Asheville (same property purchased in 1906) or near Hendersonville (where
property is being offered at no charge). To stay in the Asheville area $6500
must be raised. The article refers to the “YMCA and YWCA assembly grounds”
however “the movement for permanent grounds is in the charge of” Weatherford
and WE Millis of the YMCA and John A Shell of the YPMM (no YWCA
representation). (Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain not mentioned in article.)
October 24, 1907: Blue Ridge Committee meeting in
Charlotte
October 25, 1907 Charlotte Observer: “An important meeting of the officers and committeemen of the Blue Ridge Association was held in the city yesterday…The association is planning the development of a permanent conference resort at Black Mountain, near Montreat, on the 1000 acre tract purchased by the association for the benefit of the YMCA, YWCA, and Young People Missionary Societies of the South…” (Note YWCA is mentioned in this article). A separate article details the quarterly meeting of the Interstate Committee of the Carolina YMCAs at the Selwyn Hotel.
October
25, 1907 Charlotte News article
about the quarterly meeting of the Interstate Committee of YMCAs of North and
South Carolina. Weatherford speaks about student conferences and “the need of a
conference meeting place and a training school in the South… a need which Blue
Ridge Association for Christian work is seeking to supply…”
November 1907: Oklahoma admitted to the Union
June 15, 1908 (Postmark date): Post card sent during the Southern Student Conference, June 12-21, 1908
(PM: Montreat NC). x01-1908a01
1908-1909: Fundraising
campaign (pre Rockefeller gift):
June 5, 1908, Nashville Tennessean article details visit from Mr. RL Wiggins
fundraising at Vanderbilt University. The article states, “...the Vanderbilt
boys have raised $1,000…” and “...Vanderbilt will be the only college where
subscriptions will be solicited this year, but next year Mr. Wiggins will go to
all the southern colleges and put before them the mark that Vanderbilt has
set…”
December 19, 1908, University of Virginia Madison
Hall Notes describes new location of student conference:
“...more than a thousand acres.” Building plans include: “... large Auditorium,
an administration building, a dining hall, suitable dormitories and other such
buildings as may be needed. A lake for boating and swimming and a large
athletic field are already laid out by the leaders of this movement.” Another
article in the same edition: “...Twenty-one Christian, business men (referring
to the 21-member Blue Ridge Association executive committee) are backing this
cause with their thoughts, their money, and their prayers; the company has now
been chartered under the laws of North Carolina as the Blue Ridge Association
for Christian Conference and Training; the land is purchased and partly paid
for; a financial secretary is visiting the colleges of the South to secure
funds to equip these grounds. Vanderbilt (University) has led off with $1,000
in cash and subscriptions will increase this amount…”
April 10, 1909, University of Virginia Madison
Hall Notes details visit from Mr. Wiggins and college
fundraising for Blue Ridge. Vanderbilt University and University of Mississippi
have pledged $1,000 each. University of Virginia starts campaign.
April 25, 1909 Nashville
Tennessean and April 29, 1909 Raleigh Christian Advocate run very similar articles. The articles, although
slightly different, contain much of the same information and quotes. Both are laying
the foundation to the need to build a “permanent and separate grounds”. “To pay for the property and equip the plant
$50,000 is needed. About $8,000 has already been secured and the deeds to the property
have been transferred to the Blue Ridge Association.” The article lists these
contributions so far: Vanderbilt University $1000 with “several members of the
faculty and alumni adding $1000”; Ward Seminary in Nashville “a large
contribution”; University of Mississippi $1000 in memory of J Arthur Brown.
September 27, 1909 Charlotte News article
details a visit by CK Ober to Charlotte and planning of Blue Ridge. The article
quotes Ober: “We need now at least $75,000 to put up the necessary buildings,
etc. It is not possible to make a general canvass, but the amount will be
raised in gifts of $500 and $1000.”
October 16, 1909, Asheville Citizen Article states that all but $5000 of the $12,500
land purchase has been paid. The YMCA, YWCA, and the YPMM are asking the people
of Asheville to contribute the remaining $5000. The Asheville Board of Trade
will setup a committee to raise the money. The article states, “A gentleman
stands ready to donate $25,000 towards the construction of the buildings which
will cost complete $62,500.”
1909: William H Taff becomes President
1910: John D Rockefeller donates $50,000.
May 28, 1910 Asheville Gazette News article gives history of the YMCA conferences,
possible growth, Blue Ridge purchase of land, and plans to build. Fundraising
of $92,500, with a $50,000 donation from a “friend” (Rockefeller is not named)
if the remaining can be raised by June 1, 1911.
May 28, 1910 Greensboro
Daily News article about CK
Ober appearing before the Asheville Board of Trade and the Retail Merchants
Association to help raise funds, “With an offer of $50,000 from an unnamed
philanthropist as an incentive.”
May 28, 1910 Asheville
Citizen in an article about the
joint Asheville Board of Trade and the Retail Merchants Association fundraising
efforts, it mentions: “…a friend has offered to contribute $50,000 if a similar
amount is raised by June 1, 1911…” (Rockefeller is not named.)
May 29, 1910 Baltimore Sun and June 1, 1910 Greensboro
Patriot run identical articles:
“...Pending the completion of the plans and raising the remainder of the
required money, the name of the man who has given $50,000 to this work is not
announced, but is practically known that he is John D Rockefeller, the Standard
Oil magnate.”
December 28, 1910 Charlotte Observer runs
list of organizations receiving gifts from Rockefeller. The list includes “Blue
Ridge Association $50,000”
December 31, 1910 Chicago Tribune in the
list of annual gifts and bequests: “May 28 – John D Rockefeller, New York, gift
to Blue Ridge Association, $50,000”
Chicago Daily New Almanac and Year-Book for 1911, page 331: Notable Gifts and Bequests in 1910 under
John D Rockefeller. – Blue Ridge $50,000 is included in the list.
(This
gift is highlighted in many future articles and fundraising campaigns.)
1910 - 1926: Fundraising campaign – other large
gifts
October 16, 1909, Asheville Citizen Article states that all but $5000 of the $12,500
land purchase has been paid. The YMCA, YWCA, and the YPMM are asking the people
of Asheville to contribute the remaining $5000. The Asheville Board of Trade
will setup a committee to raise the money. The article states, “A gentleman
stands ready to donate $25,000 towards the construction of the buildings which
will cost complete $62,500.” (Note: the
“gentleman” is never named.)
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement: on page 3 states: “The outstanding subscriptions
to this property have been Mr. Rockefeller, $50,000; three special
subscriptions of $50,000, $30,000, and $15,000 respectively; Mr. Cleveland
Dodge, $5000; Miss. Grace Dodge, $5000; Mrs. John Patton, $5000; Mr. McKeown
$3500…”
1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement: repeats the 1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement
donations, but includes others: “The outstanding subscriptions to this property
have been Mr. Rockefeller, $50,000; three special subscriptions of $50,000,
$30,000, and $125,000, respectively; City of Asheville, $20,000 toward the
Asheville Building; Mr. Cleveland Dodge, $5000; Miss. Grade Dodge, $5000; Mrs.
John Patton, $5000; Mr. McKeown $3500;…Mr. CH Hobbs has contributed a total of
more than $100,000 to the Association and is our largest single contributor.”
1910: Fundraising campaign (post Rockefeller gift):
May 28, 1910 Asheville
Citizen: article about the
joint Asheville Board of Trade and Retail Merchants Association assisting with
raising “…$11,500 of the $50,000 needed…”
June 5, 1910 Nashville Tennessean: page 4 short article on Blue Ridge. Mentions plans
for the property, organization, and these contributions: Rockefeller $50,000
(including conditions), Vanderbilt University $2000, University of Virginia $1000
and University of Mississippi $500 (for field to be called “Brown Memorial
Field”)
June 29, 1910 Charlotte
Observer article about recent
Blue Ridge business meeting, announcement of Rockefeller gift, plans,
donations, upcoming fundraising, and quotes from individuals. In the article
the YMCA, YWCA, and YPMM are highlighted.
September 16, 1910: The Weekly Banner: page 1
short article about Charles A Rowland being elected President of BR Board and
“...Mr. Rockefeller has agreed to help by donating $50,000 if the sum of
$25,000 is raised to supplement it. The raising of this sum of money will be
undertaken soon”
October 1910: The Association Men: Blue Ridge is described as “a Southern Silver Bay”
(comparison to Silver Bay Conference Center, NY that started in 1902). Article
mentions land secured, plans, fundraising of $80,000 ($30,000 to be raised plus
$50,000 matching gift from Rockefeller), goal to complete fundraising by
November 1 to open by summer 1911, local association gifts, and naming rights
auditorium or gym.
January 3, 1911 Asheville Gazette News article states “enough money has been
subscribed...to make available the $50,000 donation by John D Rockefeller. This
means that when the weather opens up in the early spring, construction work
will begin upon the buildings…”
October 17-23, 1910. One-week fundraising campaign (but was extended).
June 30, 1910 Asheville Gazette News article mentions upcoming October campaign.
September 21, 1910, Asheville Citizen, Simultaneous fundraising campaign in the Southern
states. Details: land has bene paid for; $50,000 has been offered, conditional
on $30,000 being secured; NY architect has offered his services for free;
lumber needed is on the property (saving 50% of cost); and lumberman has
offered to supervise for free. The goal of the week is to raise $30,000 to
secure the $50,000.
October 4, 1910 Asheville Gazette News article describes a new “beautiful and attractive
booklet giving additional information on the development of the association
grounds….” The article states “The work of raising funds for the work is
progressing nicely and within a few days the campaign to raise the balance of
the money will begin simultaneously in all large cities and colleges of the
South.”
October 12, 1910 Asheville
Citizen article about a meeting
with the YMCA to reach out to the Board of Trade and Retail Merchants
Association to raise funds for Blue Ridge. “A simultaneous campaign will be
waged over the entire South for the raising of this money, the sum needed being
about $30,000. The week beginning next Monday has been selected as the one in
which to do the work and Asheville is to be the headquarters of the movement…”
October 18, 1910 Asheville
Gazette News: article gives
update on campaign: “…progressing nicely and nearly half of the amount needed
to be raised to make sure the donation of $50,000 by the Rockefeller Foundation
has been raised…(requirements of matching funds)” The article mentions the
on-going logging operations and desire for the buildings to be ready next
summer.
October 25, 1910 Asheville Gazette News article states “only about $7500 of the $24,500
necessary to comply with the conditions of the gift of $50,000 by John D
Rockefeller was needed and it is believed that this will be raised by November
1. The canvas in Asheville will not close for another week…only $1500 was
raised here, leaving $3500 of the mark set for Asheville yet to be raised.” The
article also mentions the on-going lumbering operations at Blue Ridge and
having the building ready by next year.
December 2, 1910 Western
Sentinel (Winston-Salem NC):
article following building committee meeting at Blue Ridge. The article is
mainly about construction, but also mentions: “…there is now in sight all of
the money needed for the association’s plans except $2000 and this amount is
now being raised…” “Naturally, the most pleasing thing to those behind the
movement has been the success which has crowned the efforts to raise the money
needed for the work. With enough is sight to obtain the conditional gift of
John D Rockefeller, the financing of the work is assured.”
February 29, 1911 Asheville Citizen article about selection of contractors mentions the
“amount was raised and developments began immediately.”
1910-1911: Construction announcements:
June 30, 1910 Asheville Gazette News article details plans for property, Board decision
to “place a saw mill immediately upon the property which is heavily timbered
and proceed at once to get out hardwood lumber for the buildings”. CH Hobbs
will oversee the cutting at no charge. Building plans have been made by a New
York firm (not named). Fundraising plans for October.
July 15, 1910, The Lumber Trade Journal: “Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conferences
and Training, Montreat, NC (sic), will erect sawmill to cut hardwood lumber for
erection of various buildings; estimated 1,000,000 feet available; cutting
under the direction of CH Hobbs, Asheville, NC.”
August 9, 1910 Western
Sentinel (Winston-Salem NC)
brief article: “Active work began this week on the development of the grounds
of the Blue Ridge Association…”
October 25, 1910 Asheville Gazette News mentions the on-going lumbering operations (the
article is mainly about the fundraising efforts).
November 1910: Municipal Journal and Engineer: On various pages: Considering Road Construction
$5,000; Considering constructing sewage system (no est.); Considering
constructing dam and electric plant (no est.). FC Abbott is listed as contact.
December 1, 1910: Electrical World: “Preparations are being made by the Blue Ridge
Association for municipal improvements, including the construction of a dam and
electric light plant, water-works and sewerage, etc.”
December 2, 1910 Western
Sentinel (Winston-Salem NC): article
following building committee meeting at Blue Ridge. “The principal thing which
is now worrying the executive committee is the erection of the main, or
administrative, building…Its construction will necessitate a number of very
heavy timbers, and as these are being cut from the forests on the grounds it is
feared that they will not have time to properly season before this spring when
it would be necessary to start the work if the building is to be finished in
time for the summer’s conferences…In the meantime it is definitely settled that
a number of buildings will be erected almost at once. A large auditorium with
seating capacity of some 600 to be erected first, and a number of cottages and
a gymnasium will be built at the same time.”
January 3, 1911 Asheville Gazette News article states “enough money has been
subscribed...to make available the $50,000 donation by John D Rockefeller. This
means that when the weather opens up in the early spring, construction work
will begin upon the buildings…” The article includes a photograph of the
architect’s illustration showing “Robert E Lee Hall, the auditorium, and the
gymnasium.” “The hall will have a capacity of 400, while the dining room will
seat 600 in one sitting. Each room is to be equipped with running water,
electric lights from the association’s private plant, and steam heat. A barber
shop and billiard room will also be provided. The auditorium will seat 700 and
be equipped with a large stage and several dressing rooms. The gymnasium will
be equipped with modern apparatus, bowling alleys, shower baths, and lockers.”
The last of the article states “The buildings will hardly be in readiness for
the June conferences but may be completed by early next fall.”
January 5, 1911: Electrical World: “CE
Waddell, of Asheville NC, engineer, is reported to have been engaged by the
Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conference to take charge of the
construction of electric light plant, water works, and grounds in connection
with the errection of a summer school to be established by the association”
February 28, 1911, Asheville Citizen announces that building contracts will be announced
after bids are opened. The project is now valued at $92,500. Some work has
started and roles selected. Hobbs is already supervising the cutting of lumber.
Louis E Jaliade is the architect. CE Waddell is the engineer. “Robert E Lee
Hall” is mentioned in the article. Previous fundraising campaign is also
mentioned as a success.
June 25, 1911 Sunday
Citizen: article written during
the 1911 YMCA Student Conference at Montreat, Weatherford talks about building
of Blue Ridge: “It has been announced at the conference now in session in
Montreat that erection of a hotel, with rooms for 400 persons, administration
offices and dining hall will be begin at an early date, and already preliminary
work has been done upon a system of roads to cost $5000, a water supply,
sewerage system, and electric light plant and spacious athletic fields.” “…the
hotel, to be known as Robert E Lee Hall, and in addition to an auditorium
seating 700 and a gymnasium will be erected. Lumber for the three buildings
(four are named in the article) is being produced on the association’s
property…”
January 27, 1912 Charlotte
Daily Observer: article about
ER Rufty of Charlotte visiting Blue Ridge and reporting back on construction
progress. The article states: “The hotel is enclosed and the floors nearly
completed…The water supply and electric lighting will come from the company’s
own plant which is being installed. A laundry operated by electric power will
also be installed. A first-class macadam road is being laid from Black Mountain
station, a distance of about two miles…”
February 23, 1912 Charlotte News article:
“…work on the buildings and grounds is going on rapidly and that according to
present indications the institution will be opened on June 1…”
February 26, 1912 Asheville Citizen:
short article about the Blue Ridge business committee meeting. “The business
committee finds the building operations and the association grounds nearing
completion. Some changes are being made in the plans and more rooms added. The
water and sewerage systems are installed and the macadam roads will be pushed
to completion as soon as the weather will permit. Indications are that the
entire plant will be in readiness before the time for the summer conferences
which begin on June 5th.”
April 18, 1912 The Tradesman: “Construction contract awarded to David Getaz and
Son of Knoxville, TN for construction of an auditorium, hotel, and other
buildings….”
May 1911: Not ready for Summer of 1911.
January 3, 1911 Asheville Gazette News article about construction starting in the early
Spring ends with “The buildings will hardly be in readiness for the June
conferences but may be completed by early next fall.”
May 1911 Association Men, a single paragraph: “The buildings at the new Blue
Ridge $86,000 Association conference place are being rapidly pushed forward,
but will not be completed in time to hold conferences there this season.”
Opening in Summer 1911 (or “next year”)
is mentioned in June 29, 1910 Charlotte
Observer, August 9, 1910 Western
Sentinel (Winston-Salem SC), September 21, 1910 Asheville Citizen, October 4, 1910 Asheville Gazette News and October 1910: The Association Men.
Summer 1911: Before Blue Ridge hosted its first
conference, Weatherford was giving tours.
June 15, 1911, Charlotte News reported
at a YWCA meeting in Asheville: “About two hundred delegates attending the
conference visited the Blue Ridge Association grounds at Black Mountain this
afternoon.”
June 25, 1911 Sunday
Citizen: article written during
the 1911 YMCA Student Conference at Montreat, Weatherford talks about building
of Blue Ridge. The article mentions: “…A trip to the grounds was made by the
entire conference, and many expressions of admiration were heard…”
May 9, 1930, University of North Carolina Chapel
Hill Tar Heel reports in a conference history article that during
the Southern Student “...1911 conference at Conference at Montreat Dr.
Weatherford took a large group of students from the conference over across the
valley and several hundred yards up the slope on the opposite side of Black
Mountain, to explore the proposes site for a permanent YMCA assembly grounds…”
In the April 5, 1936, University of North Carolina Tar
Heel, the story changed slightly to “...That summer the
entire convention hiked across Black Mountain valley and, led by Dr. WC (sic)
Weatherford, selected the present Blue Ridge grounds as a permanent home.”
1911-1912: Announcements of Blue Ridge pending opening:
April 25, 1911, Washington and Lee University The Ring-tum
Phi on page 4: In article about
the 1911 conference, “...Last year the Conference was held at Montreat NC, and
it will be held there in 1911. After this it will meet on the beautiful new
grounds of the Association about 15 miles out of Asheville.”
June 13, 1911 Asheville
Citizen: in an article about
the YWCA Conference, it mentions Weatherford “spoke enthusiastically of the
great work mapped out for this institution (Blue Ridge)” during one of the
chapel exercises.
January 12, 1912 The Presbyterian of the South: article about the Missionary Education Conference
coming June 25-July 4, 1912 at Blue Ridge. The article states “...Blue Ridge is
the new permanent home of this conference.”
February 21, 1912 Asheville Gazette News article citing CK Ober “...the buildings and
grounds is going on rapidly and that according to the present indications the
institution will be opened on June 1…”
February 1912 Missionary
Survey (page 270): “For a
number of years, the conferences (Young People’s Missionary Movement to be
renamed Missionary Education Movement) have been held at Asheville NC. During
all this this time there has been a constant effort made to secure a permanent
location. As announced through the religious and secular press the Missionary
Education Movement…, in connection with the YMCA and YWCA has secured one of
the most beautiful locations in the mountain... Mechanics of all kinds are busy
erecting the buildings on the mountainside near Black Mountain NC….”
March 1912 Intercollegian on page 141: Blue Ridge is on the list of 1912
Conferences for the YMCA (June 14-23) and YWCA (June 5-15). “The Blue Ridge
Association in South Carolina (sic, should be North Carolina) will be ready to
entertain conferences this year and several gatherings will assemble there
during its opening year….” Two other mentions of Blue Ridge later in the March
edition.
April 13, 1912, Clemson College The Tiger on page
5: Short article about attending the Southern Students Conference (“generally
referred to as the Montreat Conference”)
June 15-25, 1912 and the “new grounds belonging to the Blue Ridge
Association…”
April 17, 1912 Asheville
Weekly Citizen article details
the history, contributions, construction, facilities, and plans for Blue Ridge.
Article mentions: Louis E Jalade, CH Hobbs lumber, David Getaz Son and Company
of Knoxville, Tucker and Laxton of Charlotte. Of note in the article: “Probably
on account of its being comparatively level, about 20 acres of the lower part
of the property was cleared for cultivation many years ago, but has long been
abandoned to broomsedge. This ‘old field’ will be converted into an athletic
park…”
April 20, 1912, Athens Banner on page
8: fundraiser for the “Blue Ridge Conference fund” (to loan students the fees
to attend the conference) with “This conference, June 15-23, near Asheville NC
and is to held at the new conference grounds of the Blue Ridge Assembly…”
April 21, 1912, Pensacola Journal (FL) on page 11: article detailing the opening and first
conferences.
May 9, 1912 Pensacola
Journal (FL): article about CK
Ober visiting the local YMCA to “…present the opportunities for recreation and
study at the new resort (Blue Ridge) by means of stereopticon.”
January 1912: New Mexico admitted to the Union
February 1912: Arizona admitted to the Union
April 15, 1912: Titanic sinks
May-July 1912: 1912 Olympics in Stockholm
May 1912: Construction complete for opening at Blue Ridge. (Also see Construction
Announcements above for details.)
-Robert E Lee Hall built (renamed
Eureka Hall in 2015)
-Dining Hall (behind Lee
Hall)
-Auditorium (not College
Hall)
-Athletic
Areas (baseball, tennis, basketball, race courses)
-“Up Road”
-Road from Black Mountain to Blue Ridge
-Electric Plant
-Water and Sewer System
May 16, 1912, Asheville Citizen article mentions the May 15, 1912 Board meeting
“held for the purpose of accepting the building, which is practically
completed.” The article describes the building and grounds, including “...138
bedrooms in the building and a large number of baths…”, “about 20 classrooms
and a large Dining room capable of accommodating four to five hundred…an
auditorium of a seating capacity of about 500…” Furniture is arriving and being
placed. “The building is furnished with water and electric lights from the
association’s own plants...one of the best macadam roads in the state has been
constructed from Black Mountain to the association building...a baseball
diamond is being laid off and several tennis courts arranged for.” The article
also mentions “It is also understood that a golf course will be constructed. A
gymnasium will be erected near the building.”
May 18,
1912 Evening Chronicle article
“The new buildings of the Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conference and
Training have been completed…Two miles from Black Mountain and in the mist of
virgin mountain forest stands the main building with porticos and Corinthian
columns and with its three stories and 300 feet of length, affords to the eye
of the visitor a pleasing spectacle in the midst of the mountain fastnesses.
The dining hall is located in a separate building and will accommodate 400
people, while there is a handsome auditorium seating 800 people. The light and
power for various purposes will be furnished from power generated by a stream
close by, which also affords a pure supply of water for the hotel.”
May 20, 1912, Asheville
Citizen article: After a visit
to Blue Ridge five Board members “were highly pleased with the present
condition of the buildings and grounds and report that within a few days the
structures will be complete”. The article describes Blue Ridge: “The property
consists of 853 acres…a perfect water supply furnishes water for the buildings
and grounds and a system of electric lights had been installed. Macadam roads
transverse the property and the athletic field consists of a basketball
diamond, tennis courts, basketball courts and race courses. The auditorium has
a seating capacity of 800 and is arranged in such a manner that the sides can
be removed and the occupants of the building can have all the advantages of an
open air meeting. Sixteen classrooms are arranged…” The article states “As one
goes back to Black Mountain he can see three buildings, the dormitories, and
the classrooms”.
September 12, 1912, The Tradesman on page
44 (562 of PDF): completion of Lee Hall, logging, and roads. Lee Hall is
described as “300 feet long by 50 feet wide, with a wing on the north end 90
feet long and 40 feet wide. The building is of wooden construction three
stories in height with a large roomy basement of native stone. The Dining room
is 70 by 50 feet with seating capacity of about 500. There are four baths on
each floor, both shower and tub, with hot and cold water, two each for men and
women. Building is heated by steam. The electric lights for buildings and
grounds are obtained from a small hydro-electric plant developing thirty h.p.
from direct connected dynamo, located on a brisk mountain stream of sparkling
clearness which runs through the grounds. The reservoir is about 2500 feet away
from the building up the mountain side, and the water is carried to the
building through a ten-inch main with a direct fall of 170 feet. The sewerage
line extends a distance of 6200 feet to the creek below.” The article also
states “Although not quite completed for the beginning of the season, three
conventions have already been held in this structure….”
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 3,
January 1920: In an article about the 1920 Building Program, it starts:
“Success has been the greatest embarrassment of the Blue Ridge Association.
When the three original buildings were erected (Lee Hall, the Dining Hall, and
the Temporary Auditorium) (sic), it was thought that we had sufficient
equipment for at least the first five years. Instead the buildings were filled
to capacity the very first summer (1912) (sic)….”
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 3, January 1920: Article explains the naming of Lee Hall: “The Central Building on the Blue Ridge grounds is dedicated to the memory of the South’s greatest and most beloved son, Robert E Lee….” Lee was President of the YMCA at Washington College 1865-1870. “There hangs in Lee Hall at Blue Ridge a facsimile letter from Lee to the YMCA at Washington Lee…” In the letter Lee acknowledges being elected an honorary member of the YMCA of Washington College. Included is a photo of a signed RE Lee photo, which was identified as belonging to “the editor” (WD Weatherford).
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 4 number 4, January 1923: Includes multiple articles on RE Lee.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 6 number 4, January 1925: Includes reprint of RE Lee portrait and YMCA letter.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 8 number 4, January 1927: Includes a very long article on RE Lee by Dr. Smith, President of Washington and Lee University.
June-July 1912: First conferences at Blue Ridge and
dedication. The 1912 Conference Schedule is:
-YWCA June 5-14
-YMCA June 15-23
-Missionary Education Movement July 25-July 4
-YMCA Institute July 5-19
(Summer Conference of YMCA Secretaries)
-Buildings Open to Guests July
5-August 31
May 13, 1912 Twin
City Daily Sentinel announces
the YWCA conference on June 5: “For the first time the southern division of the
YWCA of the US will enjoy the privilege of holding its annual summer conference
on its own grounds at Blue Ridge, near Black Mountain NC, because the grounds
and buildings of the Blue Ridge Association blong (sic) jointly to the YWCA,
the YMCA, and the Missionary Education Movement...”
May 27, 1912, Asheville Citizen announces the dedication of the buildings to be
June 15
May 28, 1912 Asheville Gazette News announces the first conference will be June 4
“College YWCA Meeting Will Mark the Opening of Blue Ridge Assn. Buildings”.
Dedication ceremony is on the last day of the conference.
June
20, 1912 Greenville Daily News article “first annual
Association Leaders Institute” July 5-12. Article mentions different
conferences being held at the same time that week.
June 23, 1912 Sunday
Citizen: full page ad “Where
Shall We Spend Our Vacation? The Magnificent Estate of the Blue Ridge
Association…Open as a Summer Hotel July 5-August 31, 1912” Ad says “Buildings
and Furnishings Absolute New, Opened for First Time 1912. Tubercular People Will
Not Be Accepted”. Gives rates for weekly stays. Roy H Legate is listed as the
contact. (in other ads he is listed as the “manager,” he is the Blue Ridge NC
postmaster starting in 1913). Similar ads of various sizes run in newspapers.
June 15, 1912 Asheville Gazette News and June 16, 1912 Sunday
Citizen brief articles about
the dedication.
June 26, 1912 Charlotte
Daily Observer article after
the YWCA and YMCA conference end and the YPMM conference is starting. The
article states: “The site on which the building stands commands one of the
finest views in all western North Carolina and is approached by a fine
macadam road which has been designated
by students attending the conferences as the ‘Rhododendron Drive’ because of
the masses of this mountain flower which boarder the drive, through the
association property”
June 20, 1912
Greenville Daily News article
about the representatives (including the “entire board of directors”) attending
the “first annual Association Leaders Institute” (July 5-12, 1912). The article
includes a letter written by “John B Adger, Dean”, details of the schedule,
rates, transportation costs, and other conferences being held at the same time.
July 3, 1912
(postmark date): Oldest
postmarked Blue Ridge card (PM: Black Mountain). On the back of the card is the
1912 Conference schedule: hwp011a02
July 5, 1912, News-Record article
after the first two groups finished
August 2, 1912 Charlotte Daily Observer article after summer conferences were over. Article
mentions four buildings: Robert E Lee Hall, “great auditorium, dining room and
kitchen, and servant quarters”. Article also states “The building and grounds
are worth over $125,000, most of which are fully paid. In fact about $15,000 is
unpaid….”
August 11, 1912 Times Dispatch runs a group conference photo of the Southern
Student YMCA Conference at Blue Ridge
August 25, 1912 Nashville Tennessean, page 5 article details the grounds, buildings,
conferences, and summer staff.
August 18, 1912 Sunday
Citizen, brief article:
“...hotel building will be open for guest during the month of August…”
October 4, 1912 Charlotte Daily Observer article gives details on attendance: “Before the
buildings were opened, the demand for increased accommodations necessitated the
adding of tents and extra furnishing, increasing capacity to 400. In the Summer
of 1912, the association entertained four conferences...with an aggregate
attendance of over 1000 guests.”
1912: Weatherford meets Julia Pearl
McCrory at Blue Ridge. She is from the YMCA of
Winthrop College, South Carolina.
November 1912
The Intercollegian, Both Weatherford and McCrory are listed in the
staff section.
Winthrop College Tatler (yearbook) 1914 and
1915
include Julia Pearl McCrory (sometimes as just Pearl) on the YWCA pages.
1912: Construction at Blue Ridge (after the 1912 summer conferences)
-Martha Washington Hall (female
staff dorm)
-Hobbs Library (??)
-Agnes Scott-Georgia Tech
(Georgia School of Technology) Cottage (sometimes called Agnes Scott-Tech
Cottage)
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement: In the list of improvements after the opening
includes: “the Martha Washington Cottage, accommodating 80 college women who
work in the buildings”
Agnes Scott-Georgia Tech cottage: In the 1912 Agnes Scott Silhouette (yearbook),
there is a mention of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA—YWCA builds the Agnes
Scott Cottage at Blue Ridge. The May 29, 1914 University of Georgia Red and Black mentions the University of Georgia men were staying
in the Agnes Scott Cottage during their conference. The 1915 Georgia School of Technology The Blue Print (yearbook) shows a photo of the Tech Cottage. The April 30, 1918 Georgia School of Technology The Technique has a picture of the Agnes Scott-Tech Cottage and
states this was the first cottage built.
November 1912: Campaign for $60,000
October 4, 1912 Charlotte Daily Observer article about a “...financial campaign for the
purpose of raising $60,000 with which to double the capacity of the
institution…”
(NOTE:
No details on this campaign. Bonds would be issued in January 1913 and another
$80,000 campaign would start in 1914.)
November
25, 1912: Black Mountain
Business Section Fire
November 25, 1912 Asheville Gazette News article: “Fire of unknown origin
starting at midnight practically destroyed the business section of Black
Mountain…”
November 1912: Forest Fire on Blue Ridge grounds
November 26, 1912 Asheville Citizen:
“…assembly grounds…have been damaged greatly within the past few days as the
result of disastrous forest fires which have ragged on the property in spite of
the effort of fire fighters…” “…flames have been gotten under control and it is
believed that the buildings, which for a time were threatened, are out of danger…”
January 1, 1913: Blue Ridge issues $30,000 in bonds. Meeting held December 20, 1912 to approve bonds for “improvements and
additions to the property.”
January 1, 1913: Issue of $30,000 of Bonds to Independence Trust
Company. “…at a meeting of the
Executive Committee of said Association (Blue Ridge), duly called for the
purpose and held at the office of the Association, in the City of Charlotte,
NC, on the 20th day of December 1912,… authorize the issuance…of
$30,000 in the amount of First Mortgage Bonds to be used to pay for
improvements and additions to the property…” The bonds are due in 10 years, January
1, 1923.
January 8, 1913 Asheville Gazette News runs article Blue Ridge has issued $30,000 bonds to
the Independence Trust Company of Charlotte. The property is being held in
trust. The article states the executive committee decided to issue 90 bonds
during the December 20, 1912 meeting in Charlotte. “They are dated January 1, 1913,
and will run 10 years at 6%, and may be paid after three years.” The purpose of
the bonds is “improvements and development”.
January 9, 1913 Asheville
Citizen runs article with
headline “Damaged buildings will be remodeled”. The article is about the
$30,000 bonds.
January 16, 1913, The Tradesman has a
paragraph about Blue Ridge “securing bonds of $30,000 for the purpose of
improving and rebuilding its buildings which were partly destroyed in the
recent fire.”
March 3, 1913 Charlotte
Daily Observer article mentions
“securing of $30,000” with plans, but does not mention the word “bond”.
March 9, 1913 Sunday
Citizen: article about Blue
Ridge meeting mentioning the $30,000 bonds. “…They are unwilling to make any
statements as to what was decided upon at the meeting, although it is
understood that they went over the plans for the proposed improvements…” The
article lists some: “erection of 12 cottages,…completion and equipment of the
athletic grounds,…swimming pool to be constructed….”
May 30, 1927: Independence Trust Company records January 1, 1913
Bonds paid in full.
(Note: On September 1, 1921, the $30,000
in bonds will be refinanced with the issuance of $80,000 in bonds.)
1913: Construction at Blue Ridge
-“Improvements”
-Cottages
April 6, 1913 Charlotte Observer: In an article about the conference centers around Black Mountain, Blue
Ridge is highlighted. In the Blue Ridge part, it mentions: “…A beautiful
macadam road has recently been built from the station to the grounds. The
Robert E Lee Hall has already been built at a cost of approximately $100,000.
It is electrically lighted with power from its own streams, and there is every
facility desired available. An auditorium has already been built separate from
the main building. Mr. CK Ober is now working on plans to erect another $60,000
building.” (Article does not name the new building.)
June 4, 1913 Asheville Citizen article (a week before the YWCA conference): “New improvements have been
made at the association since last summer that have added greatly to the
general appearance of the place…New bungalows have been erected for the
convenience of guests who would desire this manner of living.” (The article
does not detail the “improvements”, give the number of bungalows (cottages), or
name the structures built or improved.)
1913: Woodrow Wilson becomes President
June 1913: Quote from June 8,
1913 Sunday Citizen: Article about the opening
of the YWCA Conference – “The second season of the Blue Ridge Association has
officially opened here by 600 young women members of the YWCA, who swarmed into
town and overtaxed the liverymen. Forty carriages, many of them with 4 sears,
were kept busy all day conveying passengers to the grounds….The crowd this
season surpasses that of any previous year and is beyond the expectation of the
association. The main hotel which accommodates 500 soon filled to overflowing.
Over 50 tents were secured from Montreat Association and erected on the
grounds, equipped with water and electric lights. Several cottages, not yet
completed, were pressed into service. Every one of the delegates have been
cared for, although many are sleeping three and four to a room that originally
intended to for two persons”
June 1913: Quote from June 11,
1913 Asheville Citizen: Article written several
days into the YWCA Conference – “Tuesday brought the first real day of sunshine
to the 600 or more delegates attending the YWCA second annual Southern
Conference at Blue Ridge Association and was welcomed with a shout of joy by
the students. A continuous rain of 4 days has kept them indoors and has been
very disagreeable to those who are camping out in the 50 tents erected on the
grounds…” The article explains the indoor games that were played, speakers, and
trip into town: “Over a hundred of the delegates swarmed into town and took the
merchants by surprise and nearly bought them out of souvenir goods and postal
cards…”
June 1913: Quote from Southern Student Conference booklet
June 17-26, 1913:“The Blue Ridge Association was opened in June,
1912, and the second gathering held there was that of the Southern Students’
Conference. The building represents the most splendid traditions of Southern
Colonial Architecture; and these, with the water supply, electric lights, and
athletic fields, make the equipment complete. The grounds, comprising nearly 1000
acres, are right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. More than forty
peaks can be seen from the property. Among these are the Great Craggies, the
Seven-Sister range, and Mt. Mitchell. Besides the new buildings, which include
a large rooming house, dining room, and auditorium, there are tennis courts, a
baseball field and track for athletics. The entire equipment costs about
$125,000. At this season of the year the climate is all that could be desired”
1913: Blue Ridge NC post office opens. Ray H Legate is
first postmaster. (Separate timeline of Blue Ridge Post Office and Postmasters/Postmarks.)
August 2, 1913
Asheville Citizen: “Ray H
Legate has been appointed fourth-class postmaster at the new office at Blue
Ridge, Buncombe county.”
September 13, 1913 Daily Bulletin of Orders Affecting the Postal Service: Blue Ridge post office listed
September 14 Greensboro Daily News: “A postoffice has been ordered established at Blue
Ridge, Buncombe county.”
February 1913: 16th Amendment to the Constitution
ratified: Status of Income Tax Clarified
April 1913: 17th Amendment to the Constitution
ratified: Senators Elected by Popular Vote
1914- __: Blue Ridge Cottage Fund and $80,000 campaign starts. This
campaign would run for several years as cottages are built at Blue Ridge.
College YMCAs/YWCAs are asked to raise funds to build cottages at Blue Ridge.
Most cottages are around $1,000. In many cases, the cost of the cottage would
split between a YMCA at a men’s school and a YWCA at a women’s school. Each
would have exclusive use of the cottage during their conference and Blue Ridge
would use the cottage the rest of the year. The cottage would be named after
the college/university donating the funds. If the cost of the cottage was split
between a men’s and women’s school, both names would appear on the cottage.
Over the years, the second name on the cottage was dropped. In some student
newspapers, the cottage would be referenced without out the other name.
(1912 Agnes Scott Silhouette mentions the YWCA building the Agnes Scott Cottage
in 1912,)
February 1914 Association Monthly, on
page 36 mentions that Queens College (women’s college in Charlotte NC) and
Davidson College (men’s college) are planning to build a cottage.
Staunton
Daily Leader (Staunton, VA) runs articles on June 10, 1914, June 11, 1914 and June 12, 1914 detailing the Virginia YMCA State Executive Committee agreeing to an
“urgent request” to “release SA Ackley for six months to supervise the raising
of $80,000 with which to liquidate the indebtedness of Blue Ridge Association
and to make necessary additions to the property and equipment.” The amount
includes the $30,000 in bonds and $50,000 in improvements.
October 24, 1914 University of South Carolina Gamecock article about the campaign to build cottages and
enlarge the auditorium. The article states: “...The Committee, in endeavoring
to raise money, is asking the colleges of each city to donate $1,000. The
college contributing will have the cottages named for their college, and the
enlarged auditorium will be called ‘College Hall’….” A different article in the
same edition about Winthrop (women’s college) mentions that Winthrop has raised
$500 to go toward the Winthrop-Clemson cottage at Blue Ridge.
December 1, 1914 Washington and Lee University The Ring-tum Phi article: Washington Lee and Randolph Macon Woman’s
College have agreed to build a joint cottage. Randolph Macon have already raised
their half. The article also mentions these colleges have started raising
funds: Georgia Tech –Agnes Scott, University of Georgia-Shorter, VPI-State
Normal, and VMI-Sweetbriar.
December 12, 1914, University of South Carolina Gamecock, article about a visit to University of South
Carolina where Weatherford explains the needs of BR. In the article: “A number
of colleges including Winthrop, Agnes Scott, Georgia Tech, and UNC are erecting
their own building to be used by their delegates to the conferences. A number
of other institutions are uniting in erecting the large auditorium.”
December 19, 1914 University of South Carolina Gamecock article about Weatherford visiting the University
to raise funds to build a cottage at Blue Ridge.
April 2, 1916 Nashville Tennessean and April 28, 1916, Asheville Citizen run identical full page spread about the Southern
Student Conference. Side article mentions: “...Among the colleges of the state
without employed officers of the YMCA, Tusculum and Maryland should be given
first rank. Both of these colleges only recently contributed $100 each to the
new auditorium being built at Blue Ridge which is to be called ‘College Hall’
and which is being constructed by 30 or more institutions contributing $100 to
$300 each…”
November 4, 1916 Florida State Florida Flambeau article about Weatherford visiting the college and
promoting a cottage. In the same edition, other articles detail the Florida
State women raising almost $1,000 in pledges in one hour and challenging the
University of Florida men to a cottage fundraising campaign.
1914: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Swimming Pool (by Lee hall)
July 1914 Association Monthly editorial mentions the swimming pool opens during
the 1914 YWCA conference (page 260 of PDF). The editorial also mentions large
jump in attendance between the 1913 and 1914 YWCA conferences which lead to
some overcrowding of rooms. It states “The tent colony and the cottegers made
the most of their accommodations…”
July 6, 1914 Concord
Daily Tribune (Concord NC):
article about Black Mountain includes: “The Blue Ridge Association has put in a
swimming pool, and done much towards improvement of its grounds.” The article
also mentions Black Mountain building an electric light plant operated by steam
and construction of 40-50 miles of road from Asheville to Black Mountain.
July 28, 1914 Charlotte
Daily Observer: In a mid-summer
article about Blue Ridge, it mentions: “…this season a swimming pool 70 by 100
feet has been added, and is proving one of the most popular features…”
1914: World War I starts
June 8, 1914 (postmark date): First post card with Blue Ridge NC
postmark hwpr39262a01 (I have cards postmarked June, July, and August 1914).
August 26, 1914 (postmark date): First postmarked card to say Blue Ridge
“was erected by the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the Southern States.”
This also the first postmarked card to a description on the back, to have a
white border, and to show an area away from Lee Hall (the card shows people
playing tennis). spc0b409-a48257-a02 Southern Post Card Co cards have a white
border but Herbert W Pelton and Brown Book Co cards do not.
1915: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Hot and Cold Water System improved
-Water System Reservoir
expanded
-Cottages
-“Down Road” built
January 24, 1915 Charlotte
Daily Observer short article on
Black Mountain improvements, single paragraph on Blue Ridge: The YMCA “is also
improving its immense plant for the approaching season. Last year the water
supply was insufficient to meet the increased demands of the large
conferences…”
May 7, 1915 Sunday
Citizen article about overall
improvements to Black Mountain also contained details on Blue Ridge improvements:
- “The installation of a complete hot
and cold water system, which was very inadequate for the demands last season. A
central plant will be erected on the outside of Robert E Lee Hall…This work
will begin immediately…”
-“The recent improvements to the
reservoir...increased capacity about one-fourth…”
-“Building several cottages…one cottage
has been completed and several others will be erected before the first of
June…”
-“A new road… It was decided to build
a belt line road from the eastern portion the property in order to allow the
return of outgoing vehicles from the association. Last summer the present
macadamized road was so badly congested that at times it was dangerous to
travel.. When the new road is completed all the incoming vehicles will approach
the association via the old road, and all outgoing vehicles will leave the
grounds via the new road…The new road will be a belt line and will be well
graded, but not macadamized.”
June 10, 1915 Charlotte
News article: “Blue Ridge…has
been making a number of very marked improvements in grounds and equipments
during the present spring. They have spent $10,000 erecting a number of new
cottages, enlarging the water supply, building new roads, and putting the
grounds into a more attractive condition.”
May
27, 1915: Weatherford and Julia Pearl McCrory
get married in the home of the Winthrop College president.
May 28, 1915 Yorkville
Enquirer runs wedding
announcement (article misspells McCrory)
(The first conference at Blue Ridge in
1915 was the YWCA Conference June 4-24, 1915)
June 9, 1915 Asheville
Gazette News, Social News
section states that “Dr. and Mrs. Weatherford of Blue Ridge spent yesterday in
the city (Asheville).”
1916: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-College
Hall
April 2, 1916
Nashville Tennessean: mentions “...new auditorium being
built at Blue Ridge which is to be called ‘College Hall’ and which is being
constructed by 30 or more institutions contributing from $100 to $300 each…”
July 29, 1919 Asheville
Citizen
article about the YWCA conference mentions College Hall: “...at a meeting of
the delegates and leaders held in College Hall at Blue Ridge…”
September 16, 1920 Charlotte Observer: in end of season article, it mentions: “last year
additions were made to the auditorium, offering more room for seven classes”
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement: mentions one of the first three
buildings was a “temporary Auditorium” and later “the Auditorium has been
rebuilt with classrooms above.” The same statement is in the 1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement.
April 1916: Quote from April 4, 1916 University of South Carolina The Gamecock: “The conference grounds are excellently equipped. Robert E Lee Hall, the principal building, contains 138 rooms for guests besides classrooms, offices, a book store, and an immense lobby. There are 11 cottages which have been built by the larger colleges in the South, and which are occupied by the delegates from these colleges during the conference. The dining room has a seating capacity of 435 and the auditorium seats 600."
May 1916: Quote from May 17, 1916 Clemson College The Tiger: “The conference equipment
consists of 1,000 acres of land, owned by the YMCA; $200,000 in building and
improvement; a hotel with 138 rooms, 12 cottages, accommodating 14 people each;
32 tents; ample athletic facilities; swimming pool; etc.”
July 1916: Great Flood of 1916—Asheville, Black Mountain, and other
communities of Western North Carolina are flooded.
Mentioned on postcard:
spc0b474a04
July 19, 1916 Asheville
Citizen, in article about flood
it gives update on several conference grounds, including Blue Ridge.
July 21, 1916 Wilmington
Morning Star runs short article
about YWCA conference being cancelled. “No reason was given for this action in
the telegram, but it is supposed that it is due to the impossibility of the
railroads getting their lines in shape again in time to permit the conference
being held this summer….the floods of water in the rivers have made it
altogether impossible at present to reach the western part of North Carolina
without great difficulty.” The conference was the YWCA Conference of City
Associations.
July 23, 1916 Atlanta
Constitution and August 3, 1916 Arkansas Methodist ran almost identical stories about Blue Ridge being
safe after the flood. (Same article appeared in different newspapers.)
August 2, 1916 Atlanta
Constitution article: “Instead
of being closed down on account of the recent severe storm, as first reported,
the Blue Ridge NC Association housed and fed comfortably 300 guests at the
time…”
1918 Helping Win the War: “Flood” listed in the Attendance in Past Seasons
July 12, 1916 (postmark date): First postmarked card showing the Tent
Colony next to Lee Hall spc0b410a01
August 1916: Travelers’ Aid Conference held at Blue Ridge National Conference in 1916; Regional Conferences
in later years
July 6, 1916 Asheville
Citizen article announcing the
Travelers’ Aid Conference will be August 1-2.
July 29, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: article about “the
first regional conference of the Travelers’ Aid Societies of the South will be
held at Blue Ridge August 6-12…”
1917:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Ten cottages completed.
From 1912-1917 newspaper articles, these
10 cottages may have been: Agnes Scott-Georgia Tech, University of North
Carolina-State Normal, Queens-Davison, Washington Lee-Randolph Macon,
Winthrop-Clemson, Wake Forest-Meredith, Guilford-?, Converse-University of
South Carolina, Florida State-University of Florida. (see footnote about 1917
Blue Ridge Cottages)
April 1917: United States enters World War I
July 1917: Mary McLeod Bethune speaks at Blue Ridge
July 31, 1917 Asheville Citizen in an article about the Southern Sociological Congress (split between Blue Ridge and Central Methodist Church in Asheville), the program agenda is listed. Among the topics and speakers listed for Tuesday, July 31, 1917 is: “Miss. Mary M Bethune, principal, Educational and Industrial Institute, Daytona, FL.”
July 31, 1917 Wilmington Dispatch, runs brief article about Southern Sociological Congress. Article includes list of speakers, including: “Miss. Mary M Bethune, Dayton, FL”
August 21,
1925 Negro Star (Wichita, KS),
article about the Mary McLeod Bethune speaking at the YMCA Student Conference.
1917: Blue Ridge was a training and support site for War Workers. 1917 trainings are mentioned in several articles:
December 23, 1917 Greensboro Daily News and December 26, 1917 Asheville Citizen run almost identical articles The articles are about upcoming 1918 campaign: “It was the Blue Ridge Association that trained 163 Army ‘Y’ workers in a series of two schools last summer.”
February
3, 1918 Charlotte News: In
article about the 1918 $125,000 campaign:
“Without the 163 Army YMCA secretaries in 1917 from Blue Ridge Summer
Schools, it would have been impossible to man the cantonments in the
South," (quote from SA Ackley)...The 163 were trained in two schools the
summer of 1917. Later in the same article, "In addition to the 163 Army
YMCA secretaries, Blue Ridge last summer became a kind of clearing house for
YMCA war workers. A large number of men were brought there to be interviewed
before going to France and other work overseas. The important Southern
conferences of the National War Work council, YMCA, were held at Blue
Ridge." (quote from Weatherford).
June 13, 1917 (postmark date): First postmarked card showing the Swimming Pool next to Lee
Hall spc0b475a05. This is also the first card to show Auditorium (later
called College Hall) in the background.
June 1917: Quote from June 26, 1917 Raleigh Christian Advocate: “Perched on the
side of the mountain, overlooking Black Mountain station three miles below, and
Montreat, some three miles further, and surrounded by mountains on every side,
is Robert E Lee Hall, owned by the Blue Ridge Association and used for
students’ conferences. It is a spacious building thee stories high, arranged on
the plan of a modern college with dormitories, class rooms, comforts, etc. The
auditorium, a little to your left, as you approach and in front, Martha
Washington and other cottages to your left in the rear, a swimming pool to your
right, a dining hall a few feet behind the main building…”
August 1917: Blue Ridge Law and Order Conference Focus of the conference is mob violence, lynching, and race relations. John Wesley Gilbert from Payne College
is a speaker.
August 10, 1917 Charlotte
News and August 15, 1917 Charlotte
News run articles about the Law
and Order Conference details the recommendations/outcomes from the conference.
Included in the list of speakers is: “John Wesley Gilbert (colored)”. (articles
contains racial language and topics)
September 3, 1917 Nashville Tennessean
runs article “Recently there was held at Blue Ridge NC a conference on the race
question…” The article does not specifically name the conference or give the
dates. The list of recommendations/outcomes is the same as the Charlotte News articles.
1918-1920: Influenza pandemic
October 24, 1918 Rockingham
Post Dispatch: Prints a letter from ZV Roberson after he attended the
YMCA War Work School. In the letter he mentions: “…At first we were quartered
in ‘Shorter-University of GA’ (cottage) then after the ‘flu’ attacked me we
were moved to the cottage named ‘Ward-Beltmont’.”
January 19, 1919 Sunday
Citizen:
Asheville reports the number of flu cases has increased. City officials close
theaters, limit church services/Sunday School, and take other measures to limit
continued increase.
February 29, 1920 Sunday Citizen: Schools in Black Mountain are closed because of the flu.
Week of February 3, 1918: One-week campaign to raise $125,000
to support wartime training camps at Blue Ridge. States were assigned goals. Funds to be used to pay
the $89,000 debts ($59,000 floating indebtedness and $30,000 in maturing bonds)
and $36,000 to improve grounds and expand buildings, including new classroom
building, new wing for Lee Hall, and furnishings (amounts vary in different
articles).
Articles in December 23, 1917 Greensboro Daily News, December 26, 1917 Asheville Citizen, January 15, 1918, Nashville Tennessean, January 17, 1918, Wilmington Dispatch, January 28, 1918, Wilmington Dispatch, January 28, 1918 Richmond Times Dispatch, February 3, 1918 Charlotte
News, February 9, 1918 Charlotte
Observer, and February 12, 1918, Bourbon News
March 1918: Blue Ridge is site for Red Triangle officer training camp. Holding training camps will require building improvements and upgrades
at Blue Ridge. In the Athens Banner article, Weatherford explains “by
special contributions $125,000 will be on hand.”
Articles in March 18, 1918 Montgomery
Advertiser, March 21, 1918 Chesterfield
Advertiser, March 21, 1918 Athens
Banner, July 14, 1918 Sunday
Citizen, July 14,
1918 Nashville Tennessean, and July 16, 1918 Trench
Camp
1918: Quote from “Helping Win the War at Home and
Overseas” 1918. “Blue Ridge
Association- 1,191 acres of land; 24 buildings; electric light plant; sewerage;
all the major conveniences; elevation 2,700 feet; splendid tennis courts;
outdoor swimming pool; baseball diamond; volleyball and basketball courts; in
the heart of the most rugged scenery of Western North Carolina… Blue Ridge has
been chosen as the official training grounds for the Southeastern Department of
War Work Council of the Young Men’s Christian Association.” The flier also
lists $230,000 in equipment. The aerial view of Blue Ridge has the Electric
Plant to the right of Lee Hall and Steam and Hot Water Plant behind the Old
Dining Hall (which was behind Lee Hall). Also shown are the Auditorium, Martha
Washington Hall, and many cottages.
June 6, 1918 (postmark date): First postmarked card to show a car. The
car is in the background, parked in the circle in front of Lee Hall. This is
also the first postmarked card from the Asheville Post Card and Pennant Co.
(later known as the Asheville Post Card Co.) apc004a02
1918: First
High School Conference Attendees
May 20, 1918 Jackson
Daily News (Jackson MS): article about the upcoming Southern Student
Conference, “For the first time in the history of the conference, the high
schools of each state are going to be allowed to have boy representatives.”
June 12, 1918 Commonwealth
(Greenwood MS): brief article about the upcoming Southern Students’
Conference. “All the boys in the party are students at Greenwood High School…”
July 1, 1918 News
and Observer (Raleigh NC): article describes the Student YMCA conference and
the difference having high school boys attend this year. “Like every other act
or institution of our country, the Student Conference of 1918 felt the influence
of war. The most conspicuous evidence of that influence was the absence of
college men. Of the total enrollment this year of about 300 – a number
considerably below the average – about 50% were high school and preparatory
school boys. The high school boys are a rather new but increasing element in
the conference group…” The article explains the lower number of college aged
men is because many have joined the military or joining the labor force to fill
vacancies of others who have joined the military. The July 3, 1918 Presbyterian runs a very
similar article but includes list of speakers.
July 10, 1918 Charlotte
News: article includes list of attendees at the YWCA conference, with the
exception of one club and “…several from the High School who are planning to
go…”
May 15, 1919 Morning
Herold (Durham NC): article promoting the upcoming 1919 boys conference
describes it as “second annual high school boy’s conference.” Several
newspapers run articles about the 1919 conference.
May 25, 1919 Morning
Herold (Durham NC): article with details about Blue Ridge for the upcoming
“second annual high school boys conference”
(see June 1919 High School Conferences)
1918: Adela F Ruffin speaks at Blue Ridge
August 16, 1918 Altoona Tribune (Altoona PA) article about a Blue Ridge Conference includes “Miss. Adele Ruffin (colored worker) was the speaker of the evening.” The article also mentions other speakers on race relations and an conference vote apposing lynching. (Note: Article headline misleading; exact conference name not used, assuming it was the YWCA Industrial Conference.)
1920 Southern Workman (page 455) article by Adela F Ruffin: “We met them (white students) at Blue Ridge conferences in 1918 and 1919.”
July 31, 1920 Asheville Citizen: in an article about the summer conferences details the YWCA Industrial Council conference. Listed in the speakers is: “Miss. Adela F Ruffin, colored secretary of the South Atlantic field….”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 2 number 9, June 1921: In a post-conference article about the YWCA
conference in June 1921, it mentions “…Prominent conference speakers were Miss
Adele Ruffin, Miss Oolooah Burner, Maj. RR Moton, and Drs. WP Keeler, WA
Morgan, DH Ogden, Rev AW Moore, and Mr. FM Potter…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 3 number 8, May 1922: In an article about the upcoming 1922 YWCA
conference, “Miss Adele Ruffin, secretary for colored work…” is included in the
list of guests.
1918: Quote
from August 25, 1918 Tampa
Sunday Tribune
article describes property: “Robert E Lee Hall, a beautiful and stately
colonial building, is the main structure with a view from the porch that rivals
any on the continent. Besides Marth Washington Hall, the auditorium, and dining
hall, about 20 cottages are scattered about the grounds, these being built
almost entirely of native stone and wood. Tennis courts, swimming pool and
beautiful graded footpaths and drives contribute to the pleasure of the
guests.”
1919: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Leaders’
Building (renamed Abbott Hall in
1926)
September 16, 1920 Charlotte Observer in an article highlighting the year, it includes “a building for guests and faculty members was also erected” (no other description of the building or building name in the article)
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement in the list of improvements includes “a new building accommodating 78 persons, every room with a private bath”
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 3 number 9, June
1922: Includes a small photo of the
building, not identified, with the caption “Every room with private bath”
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 6 number 6,
March 1925: Includes photo of building
identified as “Leaders’ Building” Same photo page repeats in Blue Ridge Voice, volume 7 number 2,
November 1925.
September
1, 1925 Electrical Report includes the “Leaders’ Building”
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue Ridge includes: “In view of the very remarkable service rendered by Mr. FC Abbott during all the years of our Blue Ridge existence, and due to his wonderful faithfulness to the task here, I come to the conclusion that we ought to do honor to Mr. Abbott by placing his name on one of the most prominent buildings of this group. I have therefore had a sign made for the Leaders’ Building, just beyond the auditorium, calling it ‘Abbott Hall.’ I am sure the Board will most heartily approve of this action, and will join me in expressing to Mr. Abbott our deep appreciation for his wonderful service during all the past years.”
1926
Blue Ridge Summary Statement in the list of improvements includes “a new
building, now known as Abbott Hall, accommodating 78 persons, every room with a
private bath” (same as the 1921 list, but includes “now known as Abbott Hall”)
1919-1920 Construction at Blue Ridge:
-New wing
to Lee Hall, 60 Additional Rooms
July 31, 1920 Asheville Citizen: Article states that “…some 60 rooms have been since added to the accommodations…” (referring to being able to have more attendees than last year) –Article does not state where the rooms were added or exactly when they were added.
1921 Blue
Ridge Summary Statement in the list of improvements lists “a new wing to
Lee Hall, with rooms having private baths.” The same statement is in the 1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement.
January 1919: 18th Amendment to the Constitution
ratified: Liquor Abolished (repealed December 1933 by the 21st Amendment)
1919: Blue Ridge host trainings on soldier transitions.
January 15, 1919 Atlanta
Constitution and January 18, 1919 Salisbury
Evening Post run articles on
the Atlanta planning meeting which outlined the program for the Blue Ridge
trainings: SEP: “Prominent ministers from 7 southeastern states, representing 9
different religious denominations, on Wednesday, give their endorsement to a
comprehensive program of reconstructive activity to be used as the basis of
instruction…at Blue Ridge…”
February 2, 1919 Charlotte
News article: “The state
committees of the YMCA of this and other southern states are putting on an
after-war program which has developed out of the extension and success work of
the Red Triangle secretaries in the army camps…”
February 7, 1919 Asheville
Citizen article “Closing its
first session of eight days at Blue Ridge today, the War Work Council of the
YMCA is sending home 50 men who have received training in the ‘Y’ policy for
aiding in many ways returning soldiers. There will be several more session
during the next three months and it is expected to train 1000 men for the moral
and religious work among the men who are coming home from the battlefields…”
February 11, 1919 Tuscaloosa News article
about the after-war training that starts February 21.
April 4, 1919 Brevard
News (Brevard NC) runs brief
article: “The National Board of the YMCA is this week holding a conference at
Blue Ridge NC for the discussion reconstruction work and other war problems…”
April 17, 1919 Brewton
Standard (Brewton AL) and April 18, 1919 Winston
County Journal (Louisville MS) run
what appears to be letters sent to multiple newspapers about the post-war
conferences written by attendees of various religions dominations. The letters
appear to target those dominations. Letters were sent based on Baptist and
Methodists. Some of these letters mention race.
April 23, 1919 Ocala
Evening Star (Ocala FL) run
open letter on page 1 from the “Blue Ridge Reconstruction School of April 7-16,
1919” supporting the “… ‘after-war’ problems with special reference to the
returning soldier…”
(Note:
see footnote about 1919 Inter-racial Post-War Conference in Atlanta)
1919: World War I ends
1919: Black Mountain NC Fire Department
established
June 1919: Meeting on Race during the Southern
Student Conference
July 8, 1919 Danville
Daily Messenger (Danville KY)
and July 17, 1919 Citizen
(Berea KY) run similar articles:
“65 college professors and ministers, representing a large number of Southern
institutions and organizations, at the Southern Student Conference, Blue Ridge
NC have studied and discussed for 10 days the various aspects of the race
problem in the South…” The article outlines principles and recommendations in
list form (similar to the 1917 Law and Order conference). The article mentions
“returning negro soldiers.” The article does not list the speakers or
attendees. The Danville Daily Messenger
article opens with the KKK ad in the Charlotte
Observer (June 8) and the response to that ad then runs the same article as
the Citizen.
June
- July 1919:
High School Conferences, first mention of “Hi-Y” High
School Clubs
April 24, 1919 Morning Herald (Durham NC) and May 15, 1919 Morning Herald (Durham NC) run similar articles: “…second annual high school boys’ conference for the boys of the southern states from June 24th to July 3rd at Blue Ridge, NC.” “Only boys over 15 years of age who will be leaders in their Sunday school churches and Hi-Y club during the next year, and a few of this year’s leaders, will be eligible to attend…and no boys will be admitted who wear short trousers.”
May 25, 1919 Morning
Herold (Durham NC): article with details about Blue Ridge for the upcoming
“second annual high school boys conference”
May 30, 1919 Salisbury Evening Post: article about the upcoming Southern High School Conference, “The world war has called forth in a remarkable way the tremendous capacity for leadership on the part of older high school boys when confronted by tasks that challenge their spirit of loyalty and of unselfish service, particular in the war work campaign.”
June 23, 1919 Asheville Citizen, June 23, 1919 News Observer (Raleigh NC), and June 23, 1919 Charlotte Observer run almost identical articles: Article about upcoming high school conference. “…the Southern High School Conference, known as a training camp for leaders, will open at Blue Ridge under the auspices of the YMCA. These conferences are held each year under the supervision of the ‘Y’ and are attended by delegations from many high schools of the south. The conference is under the direction of the YMCA and because of its connection with the high schools the ‘Y’ is known as the ‘Hi-Y’ club…”
July 29, 1919 Asheville Citizen: Article about the YWCA conference mentions: “Within the city conference is a smaller conference attended by members of the girl reserve and high schools girls….About 150 are in attendance at this smaller conference…”
July 29, 1919 Daily
Democrat (Tallahassee FL) article about two high school boys returning from
the high school boys conference. One of the boys reported on the race lectures
Weatherford give at the conference.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 2 number 4,
January 1921: Includes article about the 1920 “Older Boys” – Southern Hi-Y
Training Conference held June 25-July 5 (1920). 145 boys attended from 8
states.
July 2-4 1919: Southern Industrial Conference
on Human Relations in Industry starts at Blue Ridge (name later changed to Southern Industrial Relations Conference – SIRC – then to Blue Ridge Conference on Leadership).
The conference has met at Blue Ridge every year except 1943 (when Blue Ridge
did not open for the summer).
July 7, 1919 Richmond
Times Dispatch: very brief
mention of local men and women attending “the industrial conference” at Blue
Ridge.
June 6, 1920 Winston
Salem Journal: “A weekend
industrial conference …will be held at the Blue Ridge conference ground July 2
– 4…”
July 1920 Association
News (page 43 of PDF):
Industrial Conference – “ ‘Human Relationships and Betterment in Industry,’ was
the theme of the first Industrial Conference held at Blue Ridge, NC, July 2 and
4. It was attended by 240 delegates…”
July 19, 1922 Gastonia Daily Gazette article lists the program of the upcoming Southern Industrial Conference on Human Relations in Industry. The article states in the headline and article the 1922 conference is the “This is the third of these annual conferences...”
July 24, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times: article at the end of the 1932 conference: “150 persons attending the 13th annual Southern Conference on Human Relations in Industry…”
July
14, 1969 Asheville Citizen:
article about SRIC celebrating 50 years.
1919: Weatherford resigns as YMCA Student
Secretary. Dr. HC Gossard is the next Student Secretary.
April 22, 1920 Davidson College The Davidsonian in
article about the YMCA Student Conference states: “Dr. WD Weatherford, who is
student secretary of the YMCA, president of the YMCA Secretaries College at
Nashville, and founder of Blue Ridge, will be in charge of the conference.”
(Note: the June 21, 1920 Asheville
Citizen article identified Gossard as the student secretary – information
used for Davidsonian article may have
been outdated.)
June 21, 1920 Asheville
Citizen in article about the
YMCA Student Conference: “Dr. Weatherford, who has been the international
student secretary for the south, is now the president of the Southern College
YMCA, Nashville. Dr. Weatherford is responsible for this plant (referring to
Blue Ridge)…Dr. HC Gossard, of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, succeeds Dr.
Weatherford as international student secretary of the south…”
August 1919: Laundry Building
Burns and is replaced
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 3,
January 1920: In the building plans for 1920 includes this: “…The laundry
building, which burned August 1, 1919, is already replaced…”
(no newspaper articles about the fire)
October 1919: Weatherford develops
and becomes president of the Southern College of YMCAs (YMCA Graduate School of Nashville). The new College
opens on October 1 or October 4, 1919 (depending on the article). It is located
in Nashville, TN and has summer classes at Blue Ridge.
May 4, 1919 Nashville Tennessean ran short story about Weatherford being elected
President of the College.
May 15, 1919 Nashville
Tennessean article about
fundraising for the new College. The article mentions “an endowment of $50,000
to be raised” but later says “…Eventually an endowment of $500,000 is to be raised…”
July 23, 1919 Presbyterian
of the South ran a short
article announcing the opening on October 1, 1919 (page 9)
August 18, 1919 Nashville Tennessean ran a short article announcing the school would open October 4, 1919.
September 18, 1919 Asheville Citizen ran article announcing the school would open October 1, 1919.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 1, November 1919: includes article about the “new” Southern College and Blue Ridge being the summer quarters. Southern College information and ad is included in most editions of the Blue Ridge Voice. The first ad shows a photo of a large library: “22,000 volumes on social and religious subjects open to all students of Southern College of YMCAs.” (The library or location is not identified by name.)
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 5, March 1920: The Southern College ad photo changes to Wesley Hall: “Wesley Hall, the present home of the Southern College.” Wesley Hall is on the Vanderbilt campus.
November 1919: First edition of the “Blue Ridge Voice”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 1 number 1, November
1919 The first edition of the “Blue
Ridge Voice.” In the first edition, WD Weatherford is editor and JJ King is
manager.
December 18, 1919 Asheville Citizen
article announces the first edition. The “Blue Ridge Voice” is to be published
monthly from November to June. WD Weatherford is identified as the editor and
JJ King as the business manager (in the masthead). It will be published out of
Nashville (winter location of the Southern YMCA College).
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 3 number 1, October
1921: Now identifies JJ King as
Editor and Manager, WD Weatherford as consulting editor, and HW Sanders as
assistant manager (in the masthead).
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 8 number 2, November
1926: No names are listed in the
masthead anymore.
1919-1923:
Regional Transportation
-Asheville-Black Mountain Highway
-Black Mountain roads
February 9, 1916 Asheville
Citizen: Article about a large
group from Black Mountain attending County Commissioners meeting in Asheville
asking for a road from Asheville to Ridgecrest (other side of Black Mountain).
The article states “…the road at present to be impassible…” Blue Ridge was
represented by RL Ferguson at the meeting. The Commissioners voted to build a
road. (Of note is the Black Mountain group took a special train from Black
Mountain to Asheville and did not use the current road.)
December 21, 1918 Asheville Citizen: In
an article about the recommendations of the Asheville Motor Club, it mentions
“The Motor Club will ask the commissioners especially to give early attention
to the road from Asheville to Black Mountain, completing the pavement from the
end of the present pavement near the old water works on the Swannanoa past the
Azalea Hospital as soon as possible, and on to Black Mountain because of the
great religious assembly grounds there and the great throngs of people who come
there annually…”
March 21, 1919 Asheville
Citizen: RE Carrier writes a
letter about the Asheville-Black Mountain highway giving history and supporting
continued work.
March 22, 1919 Asheville Citizen: Newspaper prints follow-up editorial supporting
Asheville-Black Mountain highway. The article references the previous RE
Carrier letter.
March 26, 1919 Asheville
Citizen: Weatherford writes a
letter to the newspaper supporting the Asheville-Black Mountain highway.
Weatherford references the previous RE Carrier letter.
March 31, 1919 Asheville
Citizen: runs two articles on
road work. The first is about the new “Pharr-Matthews” for road construction.
The second is about meeting of Black Mountain residents “interested in the
improvement of the road from this city (Asheville) to Black Mountain…” “This
meeting is for the purpose of making plans for improving of the road from the
end of the concrete out of this city (Asheville) to the concrete road out of
Black Mountain. The road has always been one of importance, especially since
the establishment of the large religious institutions at Montreat and Blue
Ridge…”
August 30, 1919 Asheville
Citizen: In article about road
work, it mentions not building any more “macadam roads” and “…particular
interest in the opening of the bids for the Black Mountain road September 2…”
September 4, 1919 Asheville Citizen:
Contracts awarded for the Asheville-Black Mountain Highway, “Asheville Paving
Company…for paving and HA Wells for the grading.” Blue Ridge and the other
conference centers in Black Mountain are mentioned. The article also states:
“Engineers from the state highway commission, who recently surveyed the new
route of the Asheville-Black Mountain Highway, changed the road in many places,
making curves in several instances less dangerous and shortening the road
somewhat in other places.”
January 3, 1920 Asheville
Citizen: Paving of Azalea Road
complete, grading of other parts of the Asheville-Black Mountain Road by
Asheville Paving Company continues.
February 29, 1920 Sunday Citizen: In an
article about road construction, it mentions: “A link of pavement 3 1/3 miles
in length running from Black Mountain to the McDowell County line, on the State
Central Highway, is to be constructed at once and bids for the work will be
received. This link and the stretch between here (Asheville) and Black
Mountain, which is more than half completed will give a paved road from
Asheville to the McDowell County line on this important and much needed
highway.”
November 28, 1920 Sunday Citizen: Brief
update on the Asheville-Black Mountain highway: “If the inclement weather gives
place to sunshine, allowing engineers and laborers to put in full time work
during the 23 working days yet remaining, Christmas will witness completion of
the Black Mountain asphalt highway…”
July 5, 1921 Asheville
Citizen: Article about Black
Mountain having a “…celebration of the completion of the highway…”
March 31, 1922 Asheville
Citizen: Black Mountain issues
$30,000 in bonds for improvements in city water works system and $30,000 for
street improvements. “Bonds will be used to pave a stretch of about a mile of
the Montreat road and also Vance Street…”
January 29, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: In an article about
federal road funding, it mentions: “Among the Federal Aid projects listed in the
report are the following: Buncombe, No. 45: 7.79 miles, Azalea to Black
Mountain, completed July 1921, cost $350,000 with 50% Federal Aid; No. 62,
Black Mountain to McDowell line, 3.44 miles, penetration macadam, completed
October 1921, $160,505…”
February 5, 1923 Asheville
Citizen: In an article about
the activities of the new Black Mountain Chamber of Commerce, it mentions road
work, including: “Among progressive projects listed here may be mentioned a
street paving program which contemplates putting down a concreate highway
running toward the Montreat gate, upon the one hand and out Vance Avenue toward
Blue Ridge upon the other, this extending pavement invitingly toward these two
great religious assembly grounds…” “…it is understood that the Blue Ridge
officials have made proposals to the county heads to work jointly upon the road
leading to their spacious mountain grounds…”
August 12, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: Very brief article
about Weatherford hosting a dinner for the “business men” of Black Mountain,
including the Chamber of Commerce secretary.
1920: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Martha
Washington: 20 new rooms
-Replacement Laundry Building
-Small Hand Laundry Building
-Dining Hall addition
-Replacement / New Electric Plant
-Additional Plans: New Refrigeration Plant, Speakers Cottage, Stone
Library, new Building with 40 rooms with baths (not named)
-Thompson Seton Woodcraft Cabin
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 1 number 3, January
1920: Announced the following: “The
building plans for the present year (1920) call for an addition of 20 rooms to
the Martha Washington cottage where the college women live who do the work at
the Blue Ridge grounds. The laundry building, which burned August 1, 1919, is
already replaced. A small hand laundry building with tubs, hot and cold water,
electric irons, etc. for use of mothers, is already built. The large addition
to the Dining Hall, which gives a special dining room for colored servants, a
baby kitchen and dining room, an enlargement of the pantry and serving rooms,
and much better kitchen equipment is now well under way. Plans are drawn and
half the money secured for building a refrigeration plant. A new electric plant
has been purchased and is being installed. We had outgrown the old plant and
the new one will practically double our capacity. / A special speakers’ cottage will be built.
Plans are perfected for a beautiful stone library, but the high cost of
building may prevent its erection this year… / Plans are drawn for an
additional building with some forty rooms, each with private bath. This
building is imperatively needed… This new building would house about 70
people…”
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 2 number 3, December
1920: Includes an article on The Woodcraft League. The article states,
“…Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton…came to Blue Ridge in April (1920) and built the
Woodcraft cabins…These cabins are built with pegs, and with the simplest crude
materials that can be gathered from the woods…” The article includes photos of
the Council Ridge (campfire ring with benches), Seton, and the cabin.
May 1920: World Conference of Boy Workers at
Blue Ridge. 23 countries
represented.
May 27, 1920 Citizen
(Berea, KY) article about Abraham Lincoln portrait being hung in
Lee Hall during the conference.
May 30, 1920 Sunday
Citizen article about the
conference coming to an end.
August
29, 1920 Standard Union (Brooklyn NC):
article about the Boy Scouts and YMCA “After a long period of embarrassing
misunderstandings, the first real step toward co-operation between the YMCA and
the Boy Scouts of America was taken at the YMCA Boys’ Work Secretaries’
Conference held at Blue Ridge NC last May…” The article is a report produced
since that conference.
May 1920: Abraham Lincoln portrait added to
Lee Hall
May 27, 1920 Citizen
(Berea, KY) article: “The unveiling
of a great life size panting of Abraham Lincoln was an important event in the
World Conference of Boy Workers which is now in session at Blue Ridge…”.
Portraits of both Lincoln and Robert E Lee now hang in Lee Hall. Both were
painted by Mrs. Bush-Brown.
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 1 number 8, June 1920: has article about the Lincoln portrait being added
to Lee Hall. Mrs. HK Bush-Brown of Washington, DC painted the Lee and Lincoln
portraits. The article also mentions portrait of Sidney Lanier also in Lee Hall
and Stonewall Jackson to be added. The edition also includes a Statement by
Mrs. Bush-Brown.
1921 Blue Ridge Summary Statement has photos of the Lee portrait and Lincoln
portrait.
1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement has photos of the Lee portrait and Lincoln portrait.
September 5, 1927 Decatur Evening Herold
article with transcript of a Weatherford address explaining the Southern
connection of Blue Ridge design, naming of Lee Hall, and portraits in Lee Hall
– including Sidney Lanier and Lincoln. Weatherford also mentions wanting to add
a portrait of Stonewall Jackson.
1920: Quote from April 20, 1920 Clemson College The Tiger: “The Blue Ridge Association has in its buildings a book store, a soda fountain, a pressing room, photographic rooms, barber shop, post office, etc. … The Association has a trained nurse in attendance and a physician is available on a few minutes notice. But we do not receive sick people, invalids, or tubercular persons. … The buildings and ground are lighted with electricity; have abundant hot and cold water night and day, with forty-six shower baths and eighty-one bath tubs. … Sixty rooms with private baths … Blue Ridge has a garage where cars used by delegations driving through can be stored…”
July 1920: Robert R Moton from Tuskegee visits Blue Ridge
July 31, 1920 New
York Age article detailing
Moton’s visit and speaking at the Interracial Commission Conference. July 31, 1920 Tuskegee
Student reprints the New York Age article (page 91 of PDF).
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 2 number 7, April
1921: In the article about the YMCA
Student Conference, the list of guests for the upcoming conference include “Dr.
RR Moton, President of Tuskegee Institute.”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 2 number 9, June 1921: In a post-conference article about the YWCA
conference in June 1921, it mentions “…Prominent conference speakers were Miss
Adele Ruffin, Miss Oolooah Burner, Maj. RR Moton, and Drs. WP Keeler, WA
Morgan, DH Ogden, Rev AW Moore, and Mr. FM Potter…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 3 number 4, April
1922: In the list of speakers for
the YMCA conference, “Dr. RR Moton, President of Tuskegee Institute” is
included.
June 3, 1922 Asheville
Citizen: in an article about
the YWCA conference starting, “…appearing also on the program Monday and
Tuesday, Robert R Moton, colored head of Tuskegee Institute, who will give
lectures during the coming week.”
1920: Quote
from July 31, 1920 Asheville Citizen: “The total
attendance at Blue Ridge conference this summer is expected 5000…Last year more
than 1500 were turned away because of lack of space, and although some 60 rooms
have since been added to the accommodations, it is not unlikely that as may
will have to be refused admittance this year….Blue Ridge, which as a capacity
of 650 guests at one time, has 34 buildings and has a total property valuation
of half a million dollars. A staff of 143 college men and women is employed
during the summer to do the work in the big halls and cottages. Blue Ridge has
its own electric plant, its own water supply, its own sewerage disposal system,
its own truck gardens and its own athletic field, tennis courts and swimming
pool. The Dining room seats 618 guests at a time.”
August 1920: Christian Leaders’ Conference on Inter-racial Co-operation
held at Blue Ridge
August 19, 1920 Charlotte
News: one-paragraph announcement about local YMCA secretary attending
three-day “inter-racial conference at Blue Ridge.”
September 11, 1920 Durham Morning Herald runs brief article about local man
reporting on the conference: “On August 18-21 an inter-racial conference of
church leaders from the southern states was held at Blue Ridge…”
September 16, 1920 Charlotte Observer: in end of season article, it mentions: “A conference of
church leaders on inter-racial relations held during August…”
November 27, 1920 Dallas Express (Dallas TX) and December 4, 1920 Broad
Ax (Chicago IL) run identical articles listing the “platform” established
from the Christian Leaders’ Conference on Inter-racial Co-operation held at
Blue Ridge. Both articles list the platform, attendees, and organizations
involved but do not include the dates the conference were held.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 2 number 4,
January 1921: Includes article about the conference with a list of 9
“observations and suggestions.”
August
1920: 19th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Women’s Suffrage
June 7, 1921 (postmark date): First postmarked
card using the word Library (“as seen from Library Window in Robert E Lee
Hall”). spc0b423a01. Note that card in spcxf003a01 (post card folder, not postmarked) shows a view of Lee
Hall from the Library. It looks like the Library is where Blue Ridge Center is
now. Card apcbm19b01 shows an aerial view of Blue Ridge with a building down
from Lee Hall.
1921: Quote from June 19, 1921 Sunday Citizen: In a brief article about the summer conferences: “A
trained nurse has been engaged for the season at Blue Ridge and physicians are
on the grounds. A special laundry and a baby kitchen are at the disposal of
mothers with small children. The services of a kindergarten teacher have also
been secured. During the 1920 season a total of 5061 visitors registered at
Blue Ridge, with the enlargement of facilities and accommodations which have
been made, it is expected that this number will be considerably increased
during the present season.” (Note: “enlargements of facilities and
accommodations” may refer to the new 1919 building (Abbott Hall) and new wing to
Lee Hall.)
June 17, 1921 (postmark date): First postmarked
card showing Martha Washington Hall. spcxf001a01-06, part of post card folder spcxf001a01-01. This is also the first postmarked card or folder to use
“Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conference and Trainings.” This name is
not used very often. Quote from the description in the folder: “Blue Ridge is a
Christian conference home, located in a campus of virgin forest. In addition to
the conferences and schools which it houses annually, there is capacity in Lee
Hall and cottages of the Southern colleges for two or three hundred guests
during the open season, August 1st to September 1st...The building and
equipment of Blue Ridge Association consists of 1,191 acres of land; 24
buildings; electric light plant; sewerage; all modern conveniences; elevation
2,700 feet; splendid tennis courts; outdoor swimming pool; baseball diamond;
volleyball and basketball courts; in the heart of the most rugged scenery of
Western North Carolina. This property is held under charter by the Board of
Trustees of twenty-one men and women. No dividends can be declared. Entirely
non-commercial…”
1921: Warren Harding becomes President
1921: Masons donate money for playground
equipment.
July 22, 1921,
Asheville Citizen runs story
about donation.
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 6, March
1925: Includes photo identified as
“Children’s Playground” (not sure if this is the same one donated by the
Masons)
September 1921: Blue Ridge issues $80,000 in bonds. Meeting held July 30, 1921 to approve bonds,
refinances previous $30,000 plus additional $50,000.
September 1, 1921: Issue of $80,000 of Bonds to
Independence Trust Company. “…At a
meeting of the executive committee of said Association (Blue Ridge) on the 30th
day of July 1921, it appeared to said Executive Committee that it was necessary
to issue bonds in the total of $80,000, to take up the outstanding bonds in the
sum of $30,000 due January 1st, 1923 and also to take up the $50,000
additional indebtedness of the Association for which notes were outstanding and
being carried in banks, and in order to meet necessity of the said Executive
Committee unanimously authorized the issuance of the bonds hereinafter described
aggregating $80,000…”
July 24, 1922 Charlotte
Observer runs two ads from FC Abbott and Company for Stocks and
Bonds. The first one lists: “$5000 Blue Ridge Association 7% bonds, five fold
security real estate”. The second one lists: “$25,000 Blue Ridge Association 7%
bonds, five fold security”.
September 24, 1922 Charlotte Sunday Observer: runs ad from FC Abbott and Company for
Stocks and Bonds. The ad lists: “$20,000 Blue Ridge Association, 7%, Bonds due”
December 9, 1933: Independence Trust Company records the September 1,
1921 as cancelled.
(Note: On May 1, 1928, the $80,000 in
bonds will be refinanced with the issuance of $180,000 in bonds.)
1921: Quote from 1921 Summary Statement: (page 3) “The first buildings erected were Robert E
Lee Hall, a temporary Auditorium, and a temporary dining hall and kitchen. With
these three buildings the first conferences were held. Since then, there have
been added Martha Washington Cottage, accommodating 80 college women who work
in the buildings; 16 cottages which accommodate 275 guests; a beautiful servant
building for the colored kitchen help; three laborers’ houses for workmen on
the grounds; a splendid garage; a boiler house; a store-house; a new wing to Lee
Hall, with rooms having a private bath; a new building accommodating 78
persons, every room with a private bath; the Auditorium has been rebuilt with
classrooms above, and a modern laundry has been installed.” Other things
listed: electric plant and water system, heating plant, swimming pool, roads
and grading. “We have a small truck farm, a good apple orchard, ample land for
poultry yards, a dairy or other productive project desired, when we have
sufficient funds to operate such productive agencies…ample space for golf
links, for other athletic fields and tennis courts.”
1922: “Carolina in the Morning” song first published
words by Gus Kahn and music by Walter Donaldson.
1922: Blue Ridge Leaders’ School starts at
Blue Ridge (starts as Leaders’
School of the Southern YMCA Summer School, a sub-conference of YMCA Southern
Physical Directors)
Physical
Training November 1922 – October
1924: “Leaders’ Corps,” “Leaders’
Club,”, “Blue Ridge” and Ira C (IC) Matheny (first dean of Leaders program at
Blue Ridge) mentioned several times in publication. On page 347 Matheny
article: “Report of Development of Southern Leaders’ Course, Blue Ridge Summer
School, 1924”
September 1922: Gold Eagle Scout Badge presented to
Daniel Carter Beard during the Second National Training Conference of
Scout Executives at Blue Ridge (only one made).
Official Report 1922 (transcripts of sessions)
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 4 number 5, February
1923: runs several articles about
the Scout Executives Conference with photos, including the presentation of the
Gold Eagle Scout Badge to Beard.
1922: Improvements Planned at Blue Ridge:
December 17, 1922 Sunday Citizen, December 17, 1922 Durham Morning Herald, and
December 18, 1922 Greensboro Daily News
run almost identical articles: “Plans for additions and improvements to the big
conference grounds at Blue Ridge, which will increase the value of the plant to
more than $700,000, became known yesterday, the building program to cover a
period of approximately two year. Included in the additions and improvements,
which total about $100,000, will be a gymnasium to be located near the present
outdoor swimming pool….library building…additional equipment…a classroom
building…dormitory for men…. The gymnasium will be the first building to be
undertaken and efforts will be put forth to have this structure ready for use
by summer when the conference grounds open June 5...” The article also explains
Blue Ridge has “added facilities in water supply through the construction of
another reservoir…plans are being completed to equip many of the cottages with
return hot water heating system, together with bath facilities, to give a total
of 70 rooms so equipped…” (Article does not mention the new facilities for the
SCY Camp that opens in June 1923.)
1923: Quote from April 1923 Carolina Magazine: Lee
Hall “upon the first floor also is a library, and offices of Conference
officials. Downstairs is the Blue Ridge Post Office, a bookstore, a drug store,
pressing club, and other conveniences. Upstairs are the rooming apartments with
showers. / On one side of Lee Hall is a swimming pool filled with the coldest
water the mountain prints can provide. On the other is the Conference building,
College Hall, with a large auditorium downstairs and class rooms upstairs.”
Also described is the Dining hall behind Lee Hall. Cottages named: NCCW-UNC,
Agnes Scott-Georgia Tech, Randolph Macon-Washington and Lee, Coker-NC State.
1923 Construction at Blue Ridge:
-SCY
Camp facilities
-Gate at Entrance
June 17, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: “The camp grounds are
far enough away from the group buildings…yet close enough to permit use of the
splendid equipment…SCY Camp has a new frame building, with a large recreation
and lounging room, a small auditorium, and four classrooms overhead, thus
insuring a place of enjoyment and recreation in rainy weather. It also has a
well-equipped dining room and kitchen, sleeping quarters are open-air building
with a wooden roof, wooden floors, the remainder of the wall being closed by a
canvas which can be drawn…” Each tent will sleep 11 (10 boys plus one
counselor).
June 29, 1923 Asheville Citizen: In an article detailing the controversy about Blue
Ridge making an exclusive contract with one car service to haul guests from
Black Mountain to Blue Ridge, it mentions: “…Blue Ridge Association constructed
a gate across the road at the meeting of the road of the Association and the
Buncombe County road.”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 7, April
1925: includes one page about the
gate with photo of stone entrance / gate with cars. “The Blue Ridge Gate is a
symbol of hospitality, not of exclusiveness…”
1923: Calvin Coolidge becomes President
June 1923: George Washington Carver from Tuskegee first visits Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 4 number 8, May 1923: In the list of speakers for the YMCA conference –
“Prof. George Carver, of Tuskegee Institute,…(will) bring with him an exhibit
which will be of special interest to students of science.”
June 17, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: In an article about
opening of the summer season, “Prof. George Carver of Tuskegee Institute” is
included in the list of conference speakers.
June 24, 1923 Sunday
Citizen: In an about the YMCA
conference, speakers are detailed including: “Prof. George Carver, of Tuskegee
Institute, one of the foremost scientist of the present day. He brought with
him an exhibit which was of special interest to students of science. This
exhibit was amid the many products obtainable from sweet potato, the peanut,
and the pecan.”
June 17, 1924 Asheville
Citizen: In an article about
the YMCA conference starting the list of speakers includes: “…Prof. George W
Carver, scientist, Tuskegee, ‘The Goober Wizard’...”
June 1923: SCY Camp (Southern College of YMCA
youth camp) is started. In 1931, the name changed to Camp Blue Ridge for Boys. It would run
until 1932.
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 4 number 7, April
1923: includes article “The Boy and
His Summer” which introduces SCY Camp. SCY Camp is featured in many editions of
the Blue Ridge Voice.
June 17, 1923 Sunday
Citizen article announces the
opening of the new camp: “Under the leadership provided by the Southern College
of the YMCA, SCY Camp, at Blue Ridge, will open its first season June 29 and
will last until August 23...”
1925 and
1926 Picturesque Blue Ridge features a photo
page of the SCY Camp.
September 2, 1929 Asheville Citizen
article about the end of the 1929 season includes: “SCY Camp, boys’ summer camp
of the YMCA closed an 8-week period on August 9, experiencing a splendid summer
with some young boys of the South. CC Huffman of Shreveport, LA served as
resident director, with a corps of boys’ work students as his assistants.”
July 8, 1931 Asheville
Citizen article details the
plans for Camp Blue Ridge.
May 14, 1933 Asheville
Citizen Times article about the
opening of the 1933 season includes: “This program (referring to a new summer
children’s program) is designed to supplement the regular camp program of Camp
Blue Ridge which has been suspended for the 1933 season.”
Organized
Camping and Progressive Education,
published in 1935, details the SCY
Camp, including the 1931 name change.
June 1923: Controversy over exclusive taxi
service contract
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 1 number 1, November
1919: ad for Black Mountain Auto
Company uses the tag line: “Authorized Service Autos for Blue Ridge – YM and
YWCA”. Black Mountain runs ads in the Blue
Ridge Voice with the “authorized service auto” line until June 1923.
June 29, 1923 Asheville
Citizen: “A number of citizens
of Black Mountain are protesting the recent action by Blue Ridge Association…in
entering into an agreement with the Black Mountain Auto Company, by which the
latter concern secures the exclusive right to haul passengers from the Black
Mountain railway through Association grounds to Robert E Lee Hall…” The article
explains the details of the contract, that one person was arrested for
“trespass” (found not guilty), the debate over whether Blue Ridge is be
considered private or public land, and building of a gate.
1924 Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Lake
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 5 number 2 November
1923: Includes a full page “A new
attraction for Blue Ridge”. The article announces plans for a lake and funds
needed.
May 16, 1924 University of South Carolina Gamecock: “If present plans go through, Blue Ridge will soon
have a large lake for boating, fishing, and swimming…. Blue Ridge now has 1,391
acres of land, 43 buildings, electric light plant, hot and cold water, steam
laundry, swimming pool, athletic grounds, truck garden, and a boys’ camp.
However, in order that the conferences may be make more pleasurable as well as
profitable, a large lake is needed.” A fundraising campaign will start soon.
May 1, 1925 University of South Carolina Gamecock about the new lake at Blue Ridge. “The lake, which
covers several acres, is filled with clear sparkling waters from the mountain
springs. Spring boards and diving stands have been provided. Everyone at Blue
Ridge may use the canoes at the lake.”
August
1924: Black Mountain Chestnut Hurst Development started
August 27, 1924 Asheville Citizen: advertisement for auction of lots from the 65 acre
tract for the new Chestnut Hurst Development (formally LL Dougherty property).
1924:
Improvements announced:
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 1, October
1924: Within “Blue Ridge – Past,
Present, and Future – The Big Things Ahead:” The following is listed as needs:
“…library building ($25,000), a gymnasium ($20,000), a college dormitory and
class room building ($30,000).”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 1, November
1924: Repeats the same three
buildings are needed.
1925: Buncombe County and McDowell County line moved
February 17, 1925 Asheville Citizen
article about Broad River Township voters voting to become part of Buncombe
County.
May 3, 1925 Sunday Citizen: brief article: “Broad River township, now a part
of Buncombe County, will be host to citizens of Buncombe and McDowell Counties
on Wednesday…” to a picnic.
July 18, 1935 Deed (sale of 55.5 acres from Mrs. SA McKoy to Blue Ridge), the description “…southeast
crest of said Blue Ridge which was until recently the McDowell County line…”
1925: Carolina Power Company supplies
electric service to Blue Ridge (no longer
using own electric power plant)
1925 Weatherford and Parker Letters: In a series of letters between Weatherford and
Parker, where other Blue Ridge business is also discussed, the two exchange
information about Carolina Power and Light and placement of poles / running of
lines. In his April 18, 1925, Parker suggests the power lines could run from
the gate through the middle of the field and up toward the buildings (the lines
still run that way today). Carolina Power agrees to provide Blue Ridge electric
service for a minimum of $800 per year.
June 15, 1936 Easement to Carolina Power and Light
Company - poles and lines from
front gate to buildings (easement agreement sounds like poles were already in
place)
1925:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Tear down old Gym
-“Temporary” Library (built
using lumber from the old gym)
-New Gymnasium (built on
site of previous gymnasium, by the swimming pool next to Lee Hall)
-Improvements
to Lake
-Repaint Lee Hall
-Repairs to road from Black Mountain
1925 Weatherford Parker Letters about construction: In a series of letters, Weatherford and Parker
discuss various construction and improvement project at Blue Ridge, including
painting, road work, the old gym, and the library.
June 3, 1925 Asheville
Citizen about start of season
includes: “…a number of substantial improvements have been made. A handsome
gymnasium with two playing floors, baths, and lockers has just been completed
on the site of the old open air gymnasium beside the swimming pool. The lake
has been enlarged by more than acre. An observation house and a boat house have
been erected beside it, and the margins have been beautified by plantings of
rhododendron and other mountain shrubs.”
June 28, 1925 Sunday
Citizen article about
dedication of new gymnasium: “The fine new gymnasium just completed…was formally
opened and dedicated Friday evening”. The dedication included musical
performances and speeches with “the formal dedication was done by Willis
Weatherford, Jr” (age 9). The building is described as: “The new gymnasium,
which stands on the site of the old one beside the swimming pool, is an
artistic and commodious two-story building with a stately colonial façade. On
the lower floor are dressing rooms, showers and lockers for men and women and a
small gymnasium 28x55 feet in size. On the second floor is the main gymnasium,
a great room 55x85 feet in size, without pillars or other obstructions, the
wide expanse of roof being supported by steel truce work. The first floor is of
cement, the second of polished maple…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 7 number 1, October 1925: includes this paragraph: “A fine new, two-story gymnasium, commodious
and thoroughly equipped, was opened at the beginning of the season, and added
greatly to the effectiveness of the physical training program, of which
training of recreational leaders for the South is a notable part. The new lake
also was a very popular feature.”
1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement in the list of improvements
includes “a beautiful gymnasium with two floors, baths, and dressing rooms…”
(Note: 1979 National Registry of Historic Places lists the gymnasium as being built in 1915.)
June 17,
1925 (postmark date):
First postmarked card showing Aerial View of Blue Ridge spcb020a02. Shown
are: Abbott Hall, College Hall, Lee Hall, (old) Dining Room, pool next to Lee
Hall, and several cottages. All roofs are red.
1925: YMCA Southern College fundraising and endowment campaign; New Nashville
building opens September 21, 1927; Fundraising continues
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 6, March
1925: includes a map showing
“Southern College of YMCA” (corner of Charles and 21st Ave.). The
map does not show the Thompson Seminary (Blue
Ridge Voice November 1925) or “Temporary Home” location shown in the April
1926 Blue Ridge Voice). The full page
ad in this edition has a photo of Wesley Hall with the caption, “Wesley Hall,
the winter home of Southern College.”
April 26, 1925 Nashville
Tennessean runs “picture of
proposed home of the Southern College of YMCA”. “The new building is estimated
to cost $507,000 and this money, as well as half a million endowment fund, is
expected to be raised in the Southern states.” “…the effort will be made to
have the building ready for occupancy within three years.” The article includes
a detailed description of the building plans. The building plans “were drafted
by the building bureau of the National Council of the YMCA, with headquarters
in New York…” The building will be on 21st Avenue.
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 7 number 3, November
1925: The photo in Southern College
ad changes to the Thompson Seminary: “Old Thompson Seminary, 2015 Grad Avenue,
built in 1874, one of the earliest college buildings in the city of Nashville,
now owned and used as a temporary home for Southern College of YMCA.”
February 4, 1926 Nashville
Tennessean: Weatherford
announces “The new home of the Southern College YMCA will be ready for use within18
months.” “…a New York architect has already engaged to design the plant” and
Hibbs Construction of Nashville will be in charge of construction.
March 13, 1926 Tampa
Morning Tribune article about
the fundraising and local donations. Article states that half will be
contributed by the Laura Spellman (Rockefeller) Foundation. (No other articles
state this.)
April 20, 1926 Asheville
Citizen article about YMCA
meeting where “…The object of the State meeting is to plan means of rounding
out a $1,000,000 endowment for Southern College of the YMCA at Nashville, TN
and the Blue Ridge assembly grounds…” “…Dr. WD Weatherford, president of the
institution, has been able to raise $800,000 and the remaining $200,000 is
divided up among the 10 southern states…” (Note: much of the $800,000 is in
pledges.)
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 7 number 7, April
1926: much of the edition is for
the Southern College. Included is a map showing the “Temporary Home Southern
College” (corner of Grand and 21st Ave.) and shaded area labeled
“Southern College of YMCA” (corner of Charles and 21st Ave.). Also
included an update of fundraising and a list of donations.
June 6, 1926 Montgomery
Advertiser brief article: “…the
institution had completed a campaign for a million dollars for building and
endowment…”
September 12, 1926 Nashville Tennessean:
in a large article highlighting all the various colleges and universities in
Nashville, it mentions “Four Nashville schools, Southern YMCA College (three
others listed)…look forward to moving into new homes within a year…” “YMCA
College” is included in the list Nashville schools with a detailed description.
It also mentions “SCY has two homes, one here and one in Blue Ridge, NC…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 8 number 1, October
1926: Includes photo of men pouring
the concrete foundation for the new building and site elevation drawings of the
new building.
September 22, 1927 Nashville Tennessean:
brief article announcing “Southern College of the YMCA opened the fall term
Wednesday morning at 11:00 in the new building on 21st Avenue…”
December 28, 1928
Nashville Tennessean: “The
first gift toward a million dollar endowment fund for the YMCA Graduate School
was announced…as $250,000.” “The name of the donor of the gift is to remain
secret by his stipulation.” Announcement of gift is repeated in December 31, 1928 Nashville Tennessean, in larger article about construction of Nashville
educational buildings during 1928.
April 9, 1930 Nashville
Tennessean: “Gift of $125,000
at $25,000 a year for a period of five years has been placed at the disposal of
the YMCA Graduate School by John D Rockefeller, Jr. and Julius Rosenwald…”
May 27, 1926: Quote from Chapel Hill NC Tar Heel: In an article about the upcoming 35th
annual Southern Student YMCA Conference, Blue Ridge is described: “In athletic
equipment there are 20 tennis courts, a baseball diamond, two volleyball
courts, two basketball courts, a large gymnasium with three floors, a 5-acre
lake with diving towers, spring boards, and 20 canoes. There is also a 75x120
swimming pool, which is located near Robert E Lee Hall.” The article mentions
“nearby livery stable places”, 20 cottages, “College Hall building with large
auditorium and a dozen classrooms, an additional small hotel with 50 rooms, a
women’s dormitory, athletic equipment, and other facilities…”, and “large
dining hall.” The article mentions the Carolina-NCCW cottage.
June 1926: Mordecai W Johnson from Howard first
visits Blue Ridge
May 6, 1926 Davidson College Davidsonian in an
article about the upcoming YMCA Conference in June, the list of speakers
included: “Mordecai W Johnson, an expert on the racial problem.”
July 24, 1926 New
York Age article about Mordecai
Johnson, “recently elected president of Howard University” speaking at Blue
Ridge. The article also states that “two colored students…were present by
invitation…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 8 number 6, March
1927: includes copy of Dr. Mordecai
Johnson’s “Christianity in Race Relations” address at Blue Ridge in June 1926.
(see footnote: Summer 1926 Race Issues at
Blue Ridge)
1926:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Asheville Building (later
called Asheville Hall)
1925 Asheville Building Letters: In a series of letters Parker and Weatherford
discuss the plans and building of the Asheville Building.
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 7 number 5, February 1926: In the article about the Southern College, it
starts: “Southern College of YMCAs is very happy to be able to announce that
its new building on the Blue Ridge grounds will be ready for the opening of the
Summer Term, June 10th, this year. The building is now under
construction…It will contain 12 one-room efficiency apartments with bath and
kitchenette, for our married students. It also will have a sufficient number of
single rooms to take care of all the unmarried students for the summer…The
handsome building with its auditorium, class rooms, and social hall has been
made possible through the generosity of the citizens of Asheville, NC…” The
article also includes a sketch of the front on the building.
September 10, 1926 Asheville Citizen
article about the end of the 1926 season report to the Board includes: “The new
‘Asheville Building,’ so designated because its erection was made possible to a
large extent by contributions of Asheville citizens, received a great deal of
favorable comment from the members of the committee. Not only was the building
of great service during its first season, but in the opinion of the committee,
the contractors of Daugherty, Green, and Company of Black Mountain, completed
the building at far less cost than is usually the case in buildings of similar
type.”
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue
Ridge includes: “The Asheville
building, which was completed June 1st, at the cost of $32,000
constructed by the Southern College of YMCA, and with a capacity for 96
students, has been a very great blessing. In the first place, it has taken all
of the boys of the staff out of the rookery, where the accommodations were very
inadequate, and where they were quite a nuisance to the guests below, because
of the noise of those big open halls. This has made much more valuable the
third floor of Lee Hall for guests. In the next place, it as concentrated all
the boys on the working staff in one building and given us an esprit de corps,
which we have never before had. In the next place, it has added a little
auditorium where we hold our staff meetings in complete isolation from all
other activities on the grounds, and has added five class rooms to the number
we already possessed.
1926 Blue Ridge Summary Statement includes a photo of “The Asheville Building” and on page 3
in the list of buildings: “Our latest building is Asheville Building, the home
of Southern College YMCA.” In the Funds Secured section it lists “outstanding
subscriptions to this property” and includes: “…City of Asheville, $20,000
toward the Asheville Building…”
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 8 number 7, April
1927 includes a photo the Asheville
Building (but not identified). The page describes it as the “…new building now
on the Blue Ridge grounds is the summer home of Southern College…”
August 11, 1932 Asheville
Citizen, in an article about a
conference it mentions the YMCA Graduate School students will present a play
“in the Asheville building, the summer home of the YMCA Graduate school men
students, which was made possible by contributions of Asheville citizens.”
July 20, 1933 Asheville
Citizen article about different
groups at Blue Ridge mentions YMCA Graduate School with “Final examinations for
the first term of the summer quarter of the Graduate School, whose summer home
is located in the Asheville building on the Blue Ridge grounds will be held
Wednesday, and the second term will begin Thursday.”
September 1926: Lee School for Boys opens. James Alexander Peoples is the headmaster. It operates during the
non-summer months at Blue Ridge. It would run until 1931. (Not to be confused
with Blue Ridge School for Boys which was in Hendersonville NC.)
Brochures: x09-leeboys1, x09-leeboys2
July 31, 1923 Nashville Tennessean announced the school opening as September 1924.
(Note: Lee School for Boys did not open until September 1926.)
August 2, 1923 Asheville
Citizen article details Weatherford’s
announcement of Lee School for Boys during a meeting of “the five civic
organizations of the city.” Plans are for the school to be 8-12 grades and open
September 1924. (Note: Lee School for Boys did not open until September 1926.)
Similar article appears in August 4, 1923 Asheville
Citizen with “Fall of 1924”
opening date.
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 1, October
1924: Within “Blue Ridge – Past,
Present, and Future – The Big Things Ahead:” “Blue Ridge is eager to use its
buildings 12 months instead of 3, hence we are hoping to establish a boys’
school during the winter months.” (no school name used or other details)
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 7 number 2, November 1925: includes article about Lee School for Bos
December 4, 1925 Nashville
Tennessean announced the
opening as September 1926. Article mentions JA Peoples as headmaster.
September 10, 1926 Asheville Citizen
article about the end of the 1926 season report to the Board includes: “Dr.
Weatherford informed its committee that the new Robert E Lee School for Boys
will start with an enrollment of from 50 to 75, a very good showing for a new
school. The teaching staff of the new school was reported as perhaps the
strongest in the South. Including as it does three men who were formerly
headmasters of their won schools…”
December 2, 1927 Atlanta
Constitution: The Association
of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States admits Lee Schools for
Boys. The article lists the schools admitted during the 32nd annual
meeting in Jacksonville, FL.
December 18, 1927 Sunday Citizen: brief
article about Christmas break: “Robert E Lee School, at Blue Ridge, closed sessions
today until January 3, and by tonight every one of the 80 or more students had
departed.”
1926 Handbook
of American Private Schools lists “Lee School for Boys”
September 2, 1929 Asheville Citizen
article about the end of the 1929 season includes: “Lee Hall will be re-opened
on September 4 to house the Lee School for Boys, a 9-month prep school whose
home is on these ground. The outlook for this, the fourth session of the
school, is optimistic according to JJ Peoples, headmaster.”
August 16, 1933 Asheville Citizen article mentions the Lee School for Boys closed in
the Spring of 1931.
1926: Quote from “Picturesque Blue Ridge” 1926: “Blue Ridge is located in the heart of the most
rugged mountains of North Carolina (fifteen miles from Asheville) at an
elevation of 2700 feet. The estate comprises of 1619 acres of virgin forest; it
has fifty-one buildings, athletic fields, tennis courts, swimming and boating
lake, a fine two-floor gymnasium, a well run library, a daily program of music,
lectures and travel talks, and prices which are within the reach of those with
modest means.” The 1926 “Picturesque Blue Ridge” also mentions Southern College
“has a new home of its own on the Blue Ridge grounds” and SCY Camp and Lee
School for Boys are part of Blue Ridge.
1927: Postmaster appointment controversy
January 14, 1927 Asheville
Citizen article about
controversy of removing/replacing James Parker as Blue Ridge postmaster (no
details on reason). Senator Overman becomes involved.
January 22, 1927 Asheville
Citizen runs brief article with
response from First Assistant Postmaster General to Senator Overman about James
Parker. The article suggests Parker was not eligible because of an examination.
(Note: Charles E Boone would replace James
Parker as Postmaster in April 1927. Parker would continue to work for Blue
Ridge.)
1927: Blue Ridge Institute for Community
Service Executives starts using Blue Ridge. It would run continually at Blue Ridge Assembly, except for 1943, until
__ when it moved to a new location.
July 19, 1928 Asheville
Citizen: “The program for the
second annual Summer Institute for Social Work Executives, conducted under the
auspices of the Association of Community Chests and Councils…”
1927: Southern YMCA College name change
to YMCA Graduate School. New Nashville building opened.
May 22,
1927 Kingsport Times runs brief
article announcing the name change from Southern YMCA College to YMCA Graduate
School. The article also mentions the Graduate School will be “housed in a new
$500,000 building September 1.”
1928: John Hope from Morehouse College speaks
at Blue Ridge
1928: Blue Ridge issues $180,000 in
Bonds.
May 1, 1928: Issue of $180,000 in Bonds to Nashville Trust
Company. “…the Association (Blue
Ridge) desires to borrow, for use in paying off and refunding its outstanding
indebtedness, improving its properties…, and for its other corporate purposes,
the sum of $180,000…” Bonds, in various denominations, are due between 1 year
(May 1929) and 10 years (May 1938). A provision of the new bond issue is to pay
back the previous $80,000 in bonds. (Meeting of Blue Ridge Executive Committee
referenced in document, but date of meeting not given.)
July 26, 1928 Asheville Citizen: Legal announcement: $80,000 of First Mortgage Gold
Bonds issued September 1, 1921 (due September 1, 1931) have been called for
redemption as of September 1, 1928 by Independence Trust Company of Charlotte
NC.
August 18, 1928 Commercials and Financial
Chronicle (page 880) lists Blue
Ridge with $180,000 of bonds (1929-1938).
1929: Herbert Hoover becomes President
1929: Stock Market crash, Great Depression
starts
July 22,
1929 (postmark date):
First postmarked card showing Asheville Hall (areal with Gym and Pool) apc457a02
December
1929: Colleges asked to release their
Cottages. Weatherford
writes colleges who built cottages explaining declining attendance, financial
hardship, cost of using cottages, potential rental income from cottages, and
available space in Lee Hall and Abbott Hall during the YMCA/YWCA conferences.
CottagesRelease-1929-1930: Letter from Weatherford and
replies from:
Winthrop and
Clemson (Winthrop-Clemson cottage),
Converse
(Converse-University of South Carolina cottage),
Wake Forest and
Meredith (Wake Forest-Meredith cottage),
Agnes Scott and
Georgia Tech (Agnes Scott-Georgia Tech cottage),
Coker and NC
State (Coker-NC State cottage),
Florida State
College (Florida State-University of Florida cottage),
Medical College
of Virginia (Virginia Medical-? cottage),
Mississippi
State College for Women (MCSW-Mississippi A&M cottage),
North Carolina
College for Women (NCCW-University of NC),
Randolph Macon
(Randolph Macon-Washington and Lee cottage),
Shorter
(Shorter-University of Georgia cottage),
University of
Kentucky (Kentucky-? cottage),
Virginia
Polytech (VPI-Virginia Normal cottage),
Hollins College
(Hollins-Virginia Medical cottage, Virginia Medical was previously named
Richmond Medical).
No replies from:
Ward-Belmont cottage, Queens-Davison cottage (?), Guilford-? Cottage (?)
1930: Campaign to raise $250,000
February 25, 1930 Asheville Citizen and February 25, 1930 Greenville News (Greenville SC) run very similar articles: “plans are rapidly being
developed for raising by May 1 the sum of $250,000 to clear up encumbrances…”
The articles state that the YMCA and YWCA control Blue Ridge (no mention of
YPMM).
March 16, 1930 Atlanta
Constitution
runs brief article announcing the $250,000 campaign.
1930: Quote
from May 2, 1930 University of Kentucky The Kentucky Kernel article describes
Blue Ridge: “Since the first summer session, Blue Ridge has acquired land
totally 1619 acres. There are 56 buildings on the grounds…;ample class and
conference rooms; an auditorium; dining hall, gymnasium, swimming pool,
cottages for family groups, etc.” A second article lists the “13 schools”: The
College Conference of the YWCA; The Student Conference of the YMCA; The
Conference of the Missionary Education Movement; The Summer School for
Secretaries of all departments of the YMCA; The City Conference of YWCA; SCY
Camp for Boys; The Conference on Human Relations in Industry; The Southern
Summer School of Social Service and Christian Workers for the South; Institute
of Social Work Executives; YMCA Graduate Schools (same time as previous
conferences); Lee School for Boys (winter); Conference for board of Directors;
also “in addition each year there are special conferences”
July 3,
1931 (postmark date):
First postmarked card by newly renamed Asheville Post Card Company. apc250a01
1931: Blue Ridge celebrates 25 years
(starting at 1906 Weatherford purchase of property)
July 5, 1931 Asheville
Citizen Times article with headline “YMCA Center at Blue Ridge Is Now
Nearing Its 25th Anniversary.” The grounds are described as: “1,500
acres of mountain landscape...56 other distinct buildings (Lee Hall was
mentioned earlier)...”. “Thirty comfortable cottages, nestled advantageously
about the Blue Ridge lands...”
August 23, 1931 Asheville
Citizen Times article about the close of the 20th Season
(starting at the 1912 opening/first conference) states: Blue Ridge “will be
able to look back over two decades which have brought more than 60,000
delegates and vacationists to this locality, at least which 4000 of who have
been prominent leaders in social, political, economic, and religions life.” The
article lists many of the speakers and how many years they have attended Blue
Ridge.
1931-1932: Financial troubles start to
surface.
June 3, 1931 Asheville
Citizen: On June 2, 1931, CA
Floyd files suit seeking back pay of $450.
February 28, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times:
On February 27, 1932, JA Peoples files suit in county court asking that a
receiver be named for Blue Ridge Association. His complaint details he is owed
$400 for services to Lee School for Boys, the Association owes $200,000 of
which $40,000 is back salaries, food, fuel and other bills. March 7 is set for
the hearing.
August 4, 1935 Asheville
Citizen Times: Myron Turfitt of
New Orleans (trustee for a finance corporation) files suit for $27,300 for
unpaid balance on “a sprinkler system installed several years ago.”
February 1932: Arrest warrant issued for
Postmaster. Charles E Boone is wanted
for embezzlement.
February 5, 1932 Asheville
Citizen article: “Alleged to
have embezzled approximately $3000, Charles E Boone, postmaster at Blue Ridge,
was being sought yesterday…”
February 6, 1932 Asheville
Citizen follow-up article about
Charles E Boone. Maggie C Allison is named temporary postmaster (named as Mrs.
William Allison in article)
April 5, 1932 Asheville
Citizen article about number of
people applying for the Postmaster position to replace Charles E Boone.
May 21, 1932 Asheville
Citizen article: “Judge E Yates
Webb in United States district court yesterday sentenced Charles E Boon, former
postmaster at Blue Ridge, to serve three years in the federal penitentiary for
violation of the postal laws and regulations.”
September 11, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times
article about the application process and timeline to fill the Postmaster
vacancy left by Charles E Boone.
(Note: Maggie C Allison would be named the
next postmaster.)
February
1932: Olympic Winter
Games held in Lake Placid, NY
July-August
1932: Olympic Summer
Games held in Los Angeles, CA
January
1933: 20th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Presidential / Congressional Terms
1933: Franklin D Roosevelt becomes President
1933:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-new Cafeteria
May 14, 1933 Asheville
Citizen Times runs article
about the opening of the 1933 season. In the list of changes for the 1933
season includes changing the meal plans and rates. The article mentions:
“Guests have the choice of eating in the cafeteria, which is now being
installed in the dining hall under the supervision of JP Parker, of Black
Mountain, the buildings and grounds superintendent…”
June 1933: Opening of final season as “Blue Ridge Association”
May 14, 1933 Asheville
Citizen Times runs article
about the opening of the 1933 season. The article lists several changes. “A new
Blue Ridge with rates and improved accommodations to meet changing times, but
with the same healthful, intellectual, and religious atmosphere as heretofore,
will welcome hundreds of guests and delegates to 19 different conferences and
institutes…” The article lists the conferences and mentions 75 students from
the YMCA Graduate School. The article also states: “In line with demands made
by the financial crisis, room and board rates and cottage rentals have been
reduced some 35%...” Other changes include changes to the meal plans and rates.
“Another feature of the new Blue Ridge…is offering a free summer nature-study,
handicraft, and play-guidance program for children of guests and youth coming
to Blue Ridge…” Camp Blue Ridge has been “suspended for the 1933 season.” The
Blue Ridge summer staff has 80 (40 men, 20 women, 20 administrators) (Note:
article does not directly mention financial problems or Black Mountain College
starting in September 1933.)
August 14, 1933: Blue Ridge College, Inc. is registered by Weatherford, HW Sanders, and JJ Ray (all have
direct connections to the YMCA Graduate School). Notable in the incorporation, is
the new organization may “confer all such degrees and marks of literary
distinction” and will have 21-member executive committee, three-fourths of
which must be approved by the Board of Directors of the YMCA Graduate
School.
August 16, 1933 Asheville Citizen, article states according to Weatherford they
“intend to establish a liberal arts college in the Blue Ridge mountains near
Asheville...the new college will have no corporate connection with Blue Ridge
Association, which owns and operates the YMCA conference assembly grounds and
resort….do not yet know where the new college will be established…” (The
article does not mention Black Mountain College, the financial troubles of Blue
Ridge Association, or the YMCA Graduate School—other than to tie the three
registered agents to the Graduate School.)
September - December 1933: Foreclosure sale,
Purchase back, Transfer
September 2, 1933, Asheville Citizen: announcement of “…a foreclosure sale of buildings and land of
the Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conferences and Training, at Blue
Ridge, near Black Mountain, will be held October 2, 1933 at the courthouse…”
Nashville and American Trust is the trustee.
October 2, 1933: Blue Ridge property sold
at the Buncombe County Court House door to General American Life Insurance
Company of St. Louis, MO for $45,000 (details in December 21, 1933 deed)
October 3, 1933, Asheville Citizen: “The General American Life Insurance Company
yesterday purchased the Blue Ridge assembly grounds and buildings for $45,000.
A foreclosure sale brought about the change in ownership. The sale is subject
to confirmation of superior court and the bid may be raised within the 10-day
period prescribed by law.” The foreclosure is for default of bonds.
Within 10 days of October 2, 1933: YMCA
Graduate School increases bid by 5%. Sale and bids re-opened and new auction
date set for November 20, 1933. (details in December 21, 1933 deed)
October 18, 1933 Asheville
Citizen reports “The YMCA
Graduate School as raised the $45,000 bid of the General American Life
Insurance Company…necessitating the trustees to re-sell the property at
foreclosure….”
November 20, 1933: Second auction at the
door of the Buncombe County Court House. The winning bid was $47,000 by George
H Wright and RR Williams (acting as agents for the YMCA Graduate School).
(details in December 21, 1933 deed)
Within 10 days of November 20, 1933: No
higher bids submitted, the winning $47,000 bid is final. Final price paid would
be $47,500. (details in December 21, 1933 deed)
November 22, 1933 Asheville Citizen: “The YMCA Graduate School has purchased the YMCA
assembly grounds at Blue Ridge for $47,500, the sale having been made in
foreclosure to George H Wright and Robert R Williams, Asheville attorneys, who
acted as agents for the purchaser…”
December 16, 1933, Asheville Citizen: “The YMCA assembly grounds at Blue Ridge, near
Black Mountain, will be operated in the future by the Blue Ridge College, Inc.,
which recently purchased the property at foreclosure sale, it was announced
yesterday. The formal transfer of property will be made within a few days….”
December 21, 1933 Deed: Nashville and American Trust to Blue Ridge
College, Inc.
December 21, 1933 Deed of Trust: Blue Ridge College, Inc. to YMCA Graduate School.
Life and Casualty Insurance Company (PM Estes, trustee) is note holder of
$60,000. Payment is over 5 years.
December 21, 1933 Deed: Blue Ridge Association to Blue Ridge College, Inc.
– “Methodist Colony Company” property (not listed as one of the 9 tracts in
previous deeds).
June 10, 1934, Asheville
Citizen Times: In an article on
the various conference centers in the Asheville / Black Mountain area,
describes Blue Ridge as the “seat of interdenominational liberalism in the
south”. Also in the article “Until last fall, Blue Ridge was operated by the
Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conference and Training. Due to the
default of bonds at the time, the property was sold at foreclosure and Blue
Ridge College, Inc., a subsidiary of the YMCA Graduate School, purchased the
property. Dr. Weatherford is president. Blue Ridge is the summer home of the
YMCA Graduate School… Black Mountain College, Inc., a new experimental liberal
arts college, was established there the past academic year. Lee School for Boys
and Camp Blue Ridge for Boys were held there until several years ago.”
December 7, 1938: Life and Casualty Insurance Company
agrees to payment extension.
$25,360 of the $60,000 has been repaid. Balance is now past due. Terms extend
payment January 1943.
January 6, 1942: Life and Casualty Insurance Company
records the $60,000 as paid in full
October 1933: University of North Carolina loans Blue Ridge money
October 24, 1933 UNC Tar Heel reports
the University YMCA will loan “Blue Ridge Association $1,000 to prevent the
Blue Ridge property from being sold at auction for non-payment of taxes” in
exchange for exclusive use of a cottage.
March 31, 1934 Tar
Heel, the amount is reduced to
$500 for a 5-year cottage lease.
1933: Black Mountain College starts at
Blue Ridge
August 25, 1933 Orlando
Morning Sentinel: “Rollins
College’s corps of ousted faculty members…have incorporated a new college at
Black Mountain, NC” “The college has been incorporated under the name of Black
Mountain College and is 18 miles from Asheville. Organizers have leased 1600
acres, known as the Blue Ridge conference grounds…”
August 28, 1933 Boston
Globe: “The Secretary of State
of North Carolina has granted a charter to Black Mountain College, a new
coeducational institution which will be conducted in the buildings of the Blue
Ridge Association near Black Mountain, NC beginning Sept 25 next.”
Black Mountain College – College Bulletin 1933-1934
April 5, 1936 Asheville
Citizen Times runs article and
photos of Black Mountain College at Blue Ridge.
1933 Lease, 1934 Lease, June 5, 1936 Lease
December
1933: 21st Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: 18th Amendment Repealed
September 1934: High Windy Fire Tower lease. Blue
Ridge enters into a 30 year lease with the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development so
the state can build a fire tower at High Windy. In 1964 the Fire Tower land was sold to the state with a clause that if a fire tower is
not maintained, the land reverts back to Blue Ridge.
June 9, 1934: First joint YWCA-YMCA
Student Conference at Blue Ridge
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue
Ridge In the 1926
report, Weatherford mentions: “It is altogether probably that the YWCA Student
Conference and the YMCA Student Conference will combine the next year, in which
case we would open Blue Ridge on the 10th of June instead of the 4th…”
(Note: The conferences would not combine until 1934.)
June 9, 1934 Asheville
Citizen article about upcoming
“joint YMCA and YWCA Student Conference…This marks the first time these two
groups have been brought to Blue Ridge at the same time.” 200 are expected for
the joint conference.
August 21, 1934
Asheville Citizen: in an
end-of-season article it mentions: “more than 400 collegians from18 southern
states and 4 foreign nations attended the first annual joint conference under
the direction of Claude Nelson, of Nashville, TN, Southern Secretary of the
organization…”
May 15, 1938 Chapel Hill NC Tar Heel article about
the Student Conference states the first joint conference was in 1930, but
newspaper articles at the time indicate separate YMCA and YWCA conferences.
(Note: Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 2 number 7, April
1921 lists the YWCA and YMCA
conference with separate dates: YWCA June 3-13 and YMCA June 14-23.)
July 1934: Quote from July 15, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times: In an article
promoting Blue Ridge as a vacation destination: “To those who love the great
outdoors, Blue Ridge has unrivaled advantages to offer. Miles of well-marked
mountain trails winding through forests and rhododendron, laurel, and fragrant
ferns have an irresistible appeal to the hiker or horseback rider…Cool crystal
mountain springs feed a large concrete swimming pool just to the north of Lee
Hall…Laurel Lake offers swimming and boating facilities…mountain streams
furnish opportunities to fisherman…A playground, equipped with seesaws, giant
strides, swings, and sand piles, a kindergarten conducted by an experienced
teacher and story hour for the older boys and girls…” “…two well equipped
buildings where comfortable rooms with or without baths…18 conveniently located
cottages, equipped for housekeeping…meals may be taken either in the Blue Ridge
dining room or cafeteria.” “The Blue Ridge farms and orchards furnish fresh
fruits and vegetables for the table.” “…easily reached over a network of hard
surfaced roads. First class garage facilities and accommodations for chauffeurs
and nurses are available…”
August 1935: First Blue Ridge Staff “P.W.” Alumni
Reunion. Previous “alumni dinners” and
“alumni events” were held as part of the YMCA Graduate School special events
and graduation ceremonies.
August 27, 1931 Nashville
Tennessean: “The YMCA Graduate
School will have its Founder’s Day exercises May 1 and 2. The faculty and
students will have an alumni banquet Friday night, May 1, in the Susie Gray
Auditorium of the YMCA Graduate School building.”
August 3, 1934 Asheville
Citizen article: “Alumni of the
YMCA Graduate School, Nashville, TN, and Blue Ridge, held their annual dinner
here Wednesday night in the private dining room of the Robert E Lee Hall. More
than 45 alumni and their wives attended…”
April 12, 1935 University of Kentucky Kentucky Kernel: “Southern college men and women from all southern
and southwestern colleges will celebrate the 24th anniversary of
Blue Ridge…from August 25-31, with at least 500 former Blue Ridge staff workers
present.”
August 25, 1935 Asheville
Citizen Times article about the
staff reunion. Article mentions it is “popularly known as the ‘P.W. Reunion’
from the title ‘P.W.’ given each member of the working staff…” (Poor Working
Girls and Poor Working Boys)
January 1936 YMCA Graduate School Bulletin mentions the upcoming staff reunion: “A reunion of
former staff. The use of college men and women who do the work in our buildings
has always given Blue Ridge service with a distinctive flavor. These hundreds
of former students will join in a great reunion at Blue Ridge, August 21-28.
They will be guests in the rooms at Blue Ridge, and meals are most reasonable
in the cafeteria. If you are a former ‘P.W.’ don’t miss this great occasion.”
August 16, 1936 Asheville
Citizen Times article: “Blue
Ridge is celebrating its 25 years of existence (from the first conference in
1912), beginning Friday with the second annual P.W. Reunion, which was begun
last year by a number of interested former members of the staff here.”
August 23, 1936 Asheville
Citizen Times: brief article
about reunion: “The annual reunion of former members of Blue Ridge summer
staffs began here last night. There are 2,000 former staff members and a large
number have come back for the reunion…”
June 2, 1946 Asheville
Citizen Times article listing
the 1946 upcoming conferences includes “Blue Ridge P.W. Reunion” at the end of
August.
December 29, 1946 Ashville Citizen Times
article listing the 1947 summer conferences (as of December 1946) include “P.W.
Reunion” in August with estimated attendance of 75.
January 1936: Quote from YMCA Graduate School Bulletin, Jan
1936: “Located in the heart of the most rugged section of
the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is the ideal vacation spot of North Carolina, the
summer playground of the South. The estate covers sixteen hundred acres of
virgin forest, with crystal-clear streams and hillside gorgeous with masses of
rhododendron, azalea and mountain laurel. On our grounds are tennis courts,
volley ball courts, and beautiful lake for swimming, boating, and fishing, and
miles of shady woodland trails of horseback riding and hiking. Every convenience
is available-comfortable rooms with or without private baths, cozy housekeeping
cottages, efficiency apartments, and an abundance of excellent food. Also in the Bulletin: “A reunion of former
staff. The use of college men and women who do the work in our buildings has
always given Blue Ridge service with a distinctive flavor. These hundreds of
former students will join in a great reunion at Blue Ridge, August 21-28. They
will be guests in the rooms at Blue Ridge, and meals are most reasonable in the
cafeteria. If you are a former ‘P.W.’ don’t miss this great occasion.”
July 1936: The YMCA Graduate School of Nashville (formally the
Southern YMCA College) closes. Nashville
location closes, summer sessions continue at Blue Ridge.
July 3, 1936 Nashville Tennessean reports
the Nashville building transferred by deed to Vanderbilt University who held a
$167,000 mortgage and the library and furnishings were sold to Fisk University
for $20,000.
May 6, 1937: Hindenburg explodes in Manchester
Township, NJ
1937:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Refurnished rooms
June 13, 1937 Asheville
Citizen Times: in an article
about the 1937 season, it mentions: “Rooms with bath have been refurnished with
new and comfortable beds…” (does not mention which building). The article also
mentions “Blue Ridge has its own US Post Office (Blue Ridge). It was long
distance telephone and telegraph connections.”
1937: Black Mountain College purchases
Lake Eden property. BMC operates Lake Eden as Hotel for few years, Leaves Blue
Ridge 1941, College closes 1956.
May 2, 1937 Asheville
Citizen Times article:
“Purchase of the Lake Eden properties by Black Mountain College and plans to
develop a camps on the 700-acre tract were announced yesterday…” “The school
will remain in its present quarters through next year, since the institution
has a lease on the YMCA property until the summer of 1938…”
June 25, 1937 Asheville
Citizen brief article: “Title
to the 700-acre Lake Eden properties near Black Mountain was transferred
yesterday to Black Mountain College…”
May 19, 1938 Asheville
Citizen article: “Lake Eden,
owned by Black Mountain College, will be operated for the first time by the
college as a hotel from June 15 to September 6.” Black Mountain College
students have been volunteering to get the property ready.
March 15, 1939 Asheville
Citizen article: “Preliminary
preparations for construction of a new educational plant at Lake Eden, and the
permanent establishment of Black Mountain College there by 1940 are under way…”
The article also announces fundraising campaign.
May 10, 1941 Asheville
Citizen
article about Robert Wunsh, rector of BMC, speaking at the Lions Club of Black
Mountain. He “gave a report of the building operations of the college (at Lake
Edan). He told of the way in the college community, consisting of faculty
members and their families and the student body, had reacted last fall to the
news that the plant of Blue Ridge Association would not be available for the
continued use of the college after this spring…”
May 25, 1941 Asheville
Citizen Times:
“With tractor and trailer, two trucks of its own, and a truck loaned by the
local Chevrolet company, Black Mountain College is moving from Blue Ridge, its
rented quarters for the first 8 years of its existence, to Lake Eden, its own
site five miles across the valley.” The article details the items being moved,
including the stage in the dining hall, radiators, furnaces, chimneys, looms,
architecture shop, print shop, pianos, library, and personal belongings.
August 10, 1942 Asheville
Citizen
article about the Black Mountain College farming program. “Black Mountain
College continues to expand its farm program, begun modestly when the
institution was housed at Blue Ridge, enlarged considerably when the
institution moved to Lake Eden, enlarged still further after America entered
the war.” “74 acres of crops are now under cultivation, most at Lake Eden.
Some, however are rented land nearby and at Blue Ridge. Four stacks of oats
have bene harvested from Blue Ridge planting…”
February 3, 1956 Asheville
Citizen
article: “Camp Rockmount, a new boy’s camp, will be operated this summer on 205
acres on former Black Mountain College property. Lake Eden is included in the
property.” The article also states: “Lake Rockmount, new name for the former
Lake Eden…”
September 27, 1957 Asheville Citizen article: “Title to 282 acres of Black Mountain College,
which has been closed, was taken today by Eden Rock Park, Inc. (operators of
Camp Rockmount).” This includes the 205 acres that had been leased plus an
additional 77 acres. The article states: “The college, which moved to Lake Eden
in 1938, once owned some 600 acres, but 300 acres were sold as farm land about
3 years ago…”
Postcard of Lake Eden:
June 1937: Yale University gives credit for summer courses taught at Blue Ridge
June 20, 1937 Asheville
Citizen Times article:
“Affiliated with Yale Divinity School for the first time in history, the summer
session of the Blue Ridge training school entered the first week of activity
yesterday.” In previous years, course credit was issued by the YMCA Graduate
School of Nashville. When the YMCA Graduate School closed in July 1936,
Vanderbilt University gave credit for the summer 1936.
June 12, 1941 Asheville
Citizen article: “The summer
quarter of the YMCA Graduate School…opened its 1941 season at Blue Ridge
Wednesday.” “There is a working relationship with the Yale Divinity School by
which a number of the ablest students receive winter scholarships. At present
there are a dozen Blue Ridge students at Yale Divinity School on such
scholarships.”
November 1937: Quote from Blue Ridge Bulletin, Nov 1937: “Today Blue Ridge is a large institution, one interest of which is the
summer quarter of the YMCA graduate school. Sixteen hundred acres and
fifty-five buildings provide accommodations for guests, students, and faculty.
This outlay, together with its plants for supplying heat, electricity, and
water, a lake of four and one-half acres, a swimming pool, and gymnasium with
athletic equipments…”
1938: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Rhododendron Theater
July 5, 1938 Asheville
Citizen article: “The Blue
Ridge players presented ‘The Challenges of the Cross’ in the new open air
Rhododendron Theater here Sunday night before a large crowd who sat and stood
on the grassy slopes above the stage…” .
August 7, 1938 Asheville
Citizen Times article about
“Blue Ridge drama week” states: “Bascom Lamar Lunsford, founder and director of
the Mountain Dances and Folk Song festival of Ashville…will speak Friday night
at the dedication of the new Rhododendron Theater. Dr. WD Weatherford…also will
be one of the guest speakers, and a guest performance by the Appalachian State
Teachers’ College playcrafters…”
1938: Cragmore School for Girls attempted (school would never officially
open). Miss. Willa R Young, head of school.
August 7, 1938 Asheville
Citizen Times
article: “…Plans are being made for the establishment if a high grade
preparatory school for girls on the Blue Ridge grounds.” The article mentions
that Black Mountain College is currently leasing the buildings, “but will move
within the next year or so…” (Article does not name the girls school as
“Cragmore.”)
April 12, 1939 Asheville
Citizen
article: “Plans to open a school for girls at Blue Ridge in September 1940 were
announced…” “The institution to be known as Cragmore, will occupy the Robert E
Lee assembly hall and surrounding buildings now leased to Black Mountain
College. Enrollment for the first year will be limited to 60.”
July 19, 1939 Evening
Telegram (Rocky Mount, NC) in News Briefs section runs: “Blue Ridge, July 19 – (AP) –
The advisory committee of Cragmore preparatory school for girls here, will meet
here Sunday.”
August 10, 1938 Asheville
Citizen: “An
executive committee for Cragmore, the new preparatory school for girls was
announced yesterday. The school will open its first season at Blue Ridge in
September 1940.”
July 9, 1940 Asheville
Citizen
article: “Cragmore, preparatory school for girls, will open here on September
23, 1941, instead of 1940…”
April 1, 1941 Asheville
Citizen
article: “Cragmore, preparatory school for girls, will not open as planned for
its initial session in September 1941…”
1939: World War II starts
1939:
Regional Transportation
-Black Mountain roads
March 10, 1939 Asheville
Citizen: brief
article about road work: “Improvement of a half-mile of the Blue Ridge Road
between the end of Vance Avenue-Blue ridge concrete road, near Black Mountain
Inn and Highway No. 70, was started Tuesday…”
June 13,
1939 (postmark date):
Last postmarked card to use the word Association. apc657b02
July 8-10, 1939: Fellowship
of Reconciliation Conference at Blue Ridge Inter-racial conference
July 9, 1939 Jackson
Sun: brief announcement of attendee traveling to the Fellowship of Reconciliation
conference
(Note: need more documentation on this conference.)
1939: Quote
from July 23, 1939 Asheville Citizen Times. Full-page article with photos of Blue Ridge. The property
is described as: “Lee Hass is one of only 56 buildings at Blue Ridge. These
include a combined cafeteria and dining hall, several cottages, a gymnasium,
laundry, an academic hall, hotel, dormitory, and library…Each building is
painted cool, clean white and topped with a red roof.” The article also
describes the founding of Blue Ridge (no tree story), the “Poor Working” summer
staff, YMCA Graduate School and Student Presidents’ Training.
January 1940: $125,000
campaign started
January 18, 1940 Asheville
Citizen
article announces plans for a $125,000 campaign, “to raise a fund that will
enable the organization to extinguish its present debt and make certain
improvements….” “Total indebtedness is slightly less than $50,000…” The article
mentions a new brochure. Detailed improvements include: “additions to the
chlorination plant and water supply (required by State Board of Health)…steel
trusses for Lee Hall lobby…rebuilding 6 public bathrooms…painting of 4 large
buildings and cottages…reroofing 7 large buildings…plumbing repairs…kitchen
equipment, stoves, etc. ....new furnishing…new 100-horsepower boiler and stoker
and boiler house…library building (fireproofing and books)…roads…” The article
also notes: “During the depression years, the income was so reduced that
repairs and equipment could not be kept to standard…”
August
1940: Regional Flooding
August 14, 1940
Asheville Citizen: multiple articles on area flooding
August 16, 1940 Asheville
Citizen: brief
article about Blue Ridge after the flood, “…no serious damage…” “When the power
system in Black Mountain area broke down, guests at Blue Ridge were supplied
with electricity from the power unit here on the grounds. The main road to
Black Mountain has been repaired, so that it is no longer necessary to go on
the dirt road that was put into use during the emergency.”
August 1940: Weatherford
“Far Horizons” home at Blue Ridge completed. Before completion, the Weatherfords
lived in the “Lynwood” cottage.
June 29, 1921, Blue Ridge Association for Christian
Conference and Training sells Weatherford 18.46 acres
August 1, 1933 Asheville
Citizen: article about Genevieve Morrow and DR Folger being “quietly married
here (Blue Ridge) Friday afternoon in the summer home of Dr. and Mrs. WD Weatherford”.
The ceremony was “…performed in the living room of the cottage…” (the cottage
was not named).
August 25, 1933 Asheville
Citizen: In an article about end of season concert, it mentions: “…The
graduating students will be the guests of Dr. and Mrs. Weatherford at dinner
Saturday evening in their cottage, ‘Lynwood,’ on the Blue Ridge grounds.”
July 9, 1936 Asheville
Citizen: Very brief article about Mrs. Weatherford hosting a party at their
house, “Lynwood”.
August 23, 1936 Asheville
Citizen Times: In brief article about the staff reunion, it mentions:
“Today’s program included a lecture by Dr. WD Weatherford and a reception at
Dr. and Mrs. Weatherford’s cabin.” (cabin not named in article)
September 12, 1938, Blue Ridge College, Inc. sells
Weatherford 14.23 acres “more or less”
June
2, 1939 Asheville Citizen Times: in an article about
the 48th wedding anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. HS Mitchell being
celebrated at Blue Ridge it mentions coffee being served at the Weatherford’s
house following dinner (location or cottage not named in article)
August 25, 1940, Asheville
Citizen Times article details the “open house at the new home of Dr. and
Mrs. WD Weatherford…for students, staff, and guest of Blue Ridge.” The home is
described: “Perched on top of the mountain overlooking the beautiful Swannanoa
Valley, the new home affords an exceptions mountain view. It is built of logs
and stone taken from the woods surrounding Blue Ridge and has been in the
process of construction for some time.” The article also states: “The
Weatherfords will live in the home every summer while Blue Ridge is open for
the season and the rest of the year when they are not at their home in
Nashville, Tenn.” (The article does not refer to the cabin as “Far Horizons.”)
July 7, 1942 Asheville
Citizen: Sara Katherine Langston and James Warren Hudspeth are married at the
home of Dr. and Mrs. Weatherford at Blue Ridge.
November 25, 1951 Asheville Citizen Times article about wedding that
Weatherford officiates, he is described as “Dr. WD Weatherford of ‘Far
Horizons,’ Blue Ridge…”
April 4, 2019 Black
Mountain News runs article about a “Spring Tea” benefit program held at
“Far Horizons” by Julia Weatherford (granddaughter). The article includes
history of “Far Horizons” construction.
1941: United States enters World War II after
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
.
August 13, 1941 (postmark date): First
postmarked card to identify the auditorium as College Hall apcn451b02
September 1942: Last mention of YMCA Graduate
School at Blue Ridge.
September 2, 1942 Asheville Citizen:
article about the end of the season states “Blue Ridge is also the home of the
YMCA Graduate School…” (Note: In 1943, Weatherford agrees to transfer the
property to the YMCAs of the Southern Region; Blue Ridge does not open in the
summer of 1943; the Graduate School is not mentioned in any 1944 articles about
Blue Ridge conferences.)
1943: Early version of the ZIP Code is used.
This is a two digit number between the city and state to indicate a postal zone
within a city. Several cards starting in 1943 show numbers between the city and
state.
1943: Blue Ridge College, Inc. faces
serious financial strains.
June 1943: Blue Ridge does not open for summer. No conferences held at Blue Ridge because the war.
June 6, 1943 Asheville Citizen Times: “Blue Ridge will not operate as a conference center
this summer because of transportation and other problems arising from the war…”
“The step was taken as a patriotic move to prevent further congestion on travel
facilities and because the rationing of gasoline.” Some cottages will be
available for guests.
1943: Weatherford agrees to transfer the property to the YMCAs of the Southern
Region under a new organization “Blue Ridge Assembly.”
August 1943: Weatherford retires
after 37 years with Blue Ridge
August 22, 1943 Asheville
Citizen Times: “Announcement of
the retirement of Dr. WD Weatherford, leader in the establishment of Blue Ridge
conference center and its active director for 37 years, together with the
transfer of its management and operation from Blue Ridge College to the Blue
Ridge Assembly, a corporation representing the Southern Area Council of the
YMCAs was made here yesterday.”
December 22, 1943: Blue Ridge Assembly, Inc. is registered.
Transition of property from Blue Ridge College, Inc. to Blue Ridge Assembly,
Inc. The listed incorporators are:
Dan W Glover, Hubert C Jarvis, and CE Morgan. The charter states the new
organization “being organized to immediately take over, under contact and by
deed, the property in Buncombe County, NC known as ‘Blue Ridge’ and now owned
by Blue Ridge College, Inc.…” The new organization will assume and pay off all
previous debts. (amended July 12, 1947 and March 4, 1971 and June 10, 1985)
January 8, 1944 Asheville
Citizen article: “The Blue
Ridge conference center…is to be remodeled and again placed in the service of
the YMCA. It was announced here yesterday by the incorporators of the new
organization...” “To be known as Blue Ridge Assembly, the conference center is
being returned to the YMCA service for the 10 Southern states…The place has had
10 years of inactivity as a YMCA assembly and training center.” (referring to
the years the property was held by the legal entity Blue Ridge College, Inc.)
The article continues “a campaign is well under to raise $150,000 with which to
pay off an indebtedness of $70,000 and to do repairs estimated to cost
$70,000…” “Returning of the Blue Ridge properties to the YMCA is the result of
a conference held at Montreat last summer, at which time an agreement was
entered into by the representatives of the YMCA in 10 Southern states and Dr.
Weatherford…”
January 13, 1944 Asheville
Citizen: “A permanent board to
control the Blue Ridge Assembly…will be elected at the area council meeting in
Atlanta, February 17, 18, 19…”
January 22, 1944: Legal transfer of all Blue Ridge property and debts from Blue
Ridge College, Inc. to Blue Ridge Assembly, Inc. (The document was signed
January 22, 1944 but not filed until August 16, 1944.)
January 23, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times reports Blue
Ridge Assembly Executive Committee meeting on January 22, 1944. Plans for
$150,000 campaign to pay debts and make repairs are made. AL Mayer is
identified in photo as acting manager and article states that Charles M Gray
has been named manager for the 1944 season. The article states “a legal
permanent organization for Blue Ridge will be setup on Friday, February 18 at a
special meeting of the representatives of the YMCA’s in 10 states in Atlanta”.
The article also states: “The assembly...was recently returned to the YMCA of
10 Southern states after 10 years of inactivity…” (referring to the years the property was held
by the legal entity Blue Ridge College, Inc.).
February 16, 1944 Asheville Citizen:
Article announcing meeting in Atlanta, “The Blue Ridge plant, formally the YMCA
assembly grounds, in recent years has been operated as Blue Ridge College,
under the direction of Dr. Weatherford. Control now has been returned to the
YMCA, and the Atlanta meeting will name the members of a permanent board of
control to operate it. Under the new set-up, the board will be elected by
representatives of the local associations in 10 Southern states, the group
making up the area council.”
February 21, 1944 Asheville Citizen: At a meeting in Atlanta, the Blue Ridge Assembly,
Inc. new permanent board is named: T Walker Lewis, president; D Hiden Ramsey,
first vice-president; CR Underwood, second vice-president; Edgar S Lopspeich,
secretary; James C Shelor, treasurer.
April 27, 1944 Asheville Citizen: Under control of Blue Ridge Assembly, Inc., “a
complete rehabilitation of the property at Blue Ridge is in progress… The
kitchen is being rebuilt and equipment is being purchased for the kitchen and Dining
room, roofs of all the buildings are being repaired, buildings are being
painted, plumbing is being repaired, mattresses are being rebuilt, the road to
the assembly grounds is under repair, the tennis courts are being rebuilt, and
the heading system, the hot water system, and the laundry equipment are being
repaired.” A $150,000 campaign has started—half for debts and half for repairs.
August 16, 1944
Asheville Citizen: During a
meeting of the Board, “the deed was turned over to the Blue Ridge Assembly.”
(The official transfer is dated January 22, 1944, but not filed until August
16, 1944.) The article states $70,000 has been raised since October, leaving
$80,000 to be raised. T Walker Lewis is quoted: “The Young Men’s Christian
Associations of the 10 Southern States have taken over Blue Ridge as of
today….We have operated Blue Ridge for the first season under the YMCA
management very successfully though we have been handicapped on account of gas
rationing, the war, and the polio epidemic.”
1940s: Polio (infantile paralysis) epidemic in
North Carolina. (1944 and 1948 were peak years.)
June
1944: Blue Ridge
resumes summer operations, but some conferences cancelled or moved because of
Polio epidemic
May
26, 1944 Asheville Citizen Times:
Article about the upcoming Southern Conference on Human Relations in Industry
to be held in July at Blue Ridge.
June 4, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times:
article about the start of the summer season. The first conference is the
Southern Student YMCA-YWCA Conference on June 13.
July 21, 1944 Statesville
Daily Record:
runs paragraph about The Institute of the North Carolina Education Association
scheduled for August 7-10 at Blue Ridge “has been cancelled at the suggestion
of Dr. Carl V Reynolds, state health officer.”
July 21, 1944 Jackson
Sun: runs a
brief article about the Southern Farm Bureau Training School: “Because of the
infantile paralysis epidemic, the Southern Farm Bureau Training school will be
held at Alabama Polytechnic Institution at Auburn, AL, rather than Blue Ridge
Assembly at Black Mountain, NC…”
July 23, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times
article about Blue Ridge opening for tourists after it is announced the Federal
Government will be taking over four of Asheville’s largest hotels as the
Asheville Redistribution Center.
July 23, 1944 Miami
Daily News and
July 18, 1944 Pensacola
News Journal:
run brief articles about the Blue Ridge Institute for Social Workers conference
being “…postponed until sometime in December…”
July 30, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times:
article about upcoming conferences, “All YMCA conferences scheduled for Blue
Ridge during August will be held as planned…”
August 6, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times:
article about Blue Ridge Board meeting (Gov. J Melville Broughton speaking)
taking place at Blue Ridge. Article mentions Board meeting is “to be held
concurrently with…a conference of secretaries of the southern associations and
of Hi-Y leaders of the south.” No mention of the polio epidemic.
August 5, 1948 Evening
Telegram (Rocky Mount NC): “The annual Southern Hi-Y Congress, scheduled for August
15-21 at Blue Ridge, NC has been cancelled because of poliomyelitis in that
state…”
August
1944: Federal
Government takes over operation of four hotels in Asheville.
July 23, 1944 Asheville
Citizen Times: “The
federal government is taking over four of Asheville’s five large hotels and the
basement of the city auditorium for operation as a redistribution center for
soldiers who have returned from combat duty…” “The hotels included in the
project are Gove Park Inn, the Battery Park, the George Vanderbilt, and the
Asheville-Biltmore.” The project is known as the Asheville Redistribution
Center. In a separate
article in the same edition, Blue Ridge announces it has “In view of the fact
that several Asheville hotels will be closed to tourist since they are to be
used by the Army…” Blue Ridge has “decided to open the facilities of the center
to tourists for the reminder of the season…” The Blue Ridge grounds normally
close at the end of August may remain open longer based on demand. Blue Ridge
runs advertisements in newspaper classified section under “Hotels” (July 24, 1944 Asheville
Citizen)
1945: Harry Truman becomes President
July
1945: Blue Ridge limited
summer operations (only open July and August). Conferences limited to 50.
April 7, 1945 Asheville
Citizen: “The
operations committee of Blue Ridge Association, Inc. (sic) at a meeting yesterday
in the YMCA here, decided against operating the Southern YMCA assembly grounds
at Blue Ridge in June. At a meeting April 16 in the ‘Y’ the group will decide
if the assembly grounds will be operated during July and August.”
April 29, 1945 Asheville
Citizen: “Blue
Ridge…which usually open June 1, will be open from July 1 to September 1 this
year. Article includes short list of conferences and the note “In compliance
with the Order of Defense Transportation ruling, the conference will be limited
to groups of not more than 50 persons at a time.”
June 30, 1945 Asheville
Citizen: “Blue
Ridge…will open Sunday…” Article includes short list of conferences and the
note “In compliance with the Order of Defense Transportation ruling, the
conference will be limited to groups of not more than 50 persons at a time.”
August 12, 1945 Asheville
Citizen Times
article about the Southern YMCA Summer School opening (August 12-18). “The
summer school will be held on a restricted basis in compliance with the office
of defense transportation regulations and the first 50 men registering will
make up the school.”
May 14, 1953 Asheville
Citizen
article about the retirement of HW Sanders, it mentions: “Because of rationing
the assembly operated for only two months in the summer of 1946 (sic)…” (NOTE:
1945?)
1945: Cold War begins
August 6-9 1945: US detonates nuclear weapons over
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
1945: World War II ends
1945: United Nations starts
1945: “Black
Mountain News” newspaper started
1946: E
Segar Jackson named executive secretary.
January 1, 1946 The
Jackson Sun
announcement that following his discharge from the Army, Jackson has accepted the
position at Blue Ridge. He will start about February 1, 1946.
1946-1953: Seventh-Day Adventists Carolina Camp Meetings held at Blue Ridge Meetings held outside of “regular summer season.”
Thousands attend the 1950-52 conferences. Before the 1946 meeting, Seventh-Day
Adventists had a few earlier conferences.
June 26, 1935 Southern
Tidings includes information on
the Youth Conference to be held July 4-8.
November 22, 1936 Asheville Citizen Times:
article announces “a national convention of the leading educators of the
denomination (Seventh-Day Adventists) will be had at the Blue Ridge Assembly
grounds next August (1937).”
August 14, 1946 Southern
Tidings includes “Seven Camp
Meeting Facts” about the upcoming Carolina Camp Meeting September 4-10.
May 28, 1947 Southern
Tidings list the Carolina Camp
Meeting as May 22 – June 1.
September 15, 1948 Asheville Citizen Times:
article listing the 1949 conferences include “Carolina Conference of 7th-Day
Adventists”
June 1, 1949 Asheville
Citizen: runs photo from the
1949 Annual Camp Meeting of the Carolina Conference of the Seventh-Day
Adventists. The caption says 700 attended the conference.
June 5, 1950 Asheville
Citizen: article about the end
of the 1950 conference, “More than 2,000 persons crowded the Blue Ridge
Assembly grounds Saturday for the closing services of the meeting. The large
three-pole tent was crowded to capacity and more were on the outside than could
be seated in the tent.”
May 27, 1951 Asheville
Citizen Times: article about
the start of the 1951 conference, “Some 2,500 Adventists are expected to attend
the annual camp meeting of the Carolinas Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists…”
“A large five-pole tent has been pitched in front of Lee Hall that will seat
some 2,000 people…”
June 8, 1951 Asheville
Citizen article about the start
of the 1951 season mentions: “Unofficially, Blue Ridge’s season opened May 24
with the Carolina Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists. This, however, was
a camp-style session, since the Assembly’s full summer staff won’t swing into
action until Friday.”
May 21, 1952 Greenville
News article: “Seventh-Day
Adventists churches throughout North and South Carolina are being notified by
conference officials that the 21st Biennial Conference session will
be held in conjunction with the annual Camp Meeting scheduled for May 25-31 at
Blue Ridge, NC…” “More than 3000 members and session delegates are expected to
attend the seven-day meeting…”
April 1, 1953 Southern
Tidings announcement about the
1953 Carolina Camp Meeting at Blue Ridge (form says 1952, but newsletter is dated
1953), including form to reserve room. Room types listed: Lee (with or without
bath), Abbott Hall (private bath or connecting bath), Asheville Hall (with or
without bath), Martha Washington Hall (front or back wings).
May 26, 1952 Asheville
Citizen: article during the
1952 conference, “…nearly 2,000 people…gathered under the huge six-pole tent
pitched at Blue Ridge Assembly to accommodate the Seventh-Day Adventists and
friends who came to the opening Camp Meeting service…”
June 30, 1954 Southern
Tidings includes brief article
about not having Camp Meeting at Blue Ridge because of conflicting dates with
the General Conference. The article states “…for the past several years we have
been renting the Blue Ridge Assembly grounds at the period just before their
regular summer season…”
July 13, 1954 Robesonian
(Lumberton NC): brief announcement
of regional Camp Meetings in Hendersonville and Asheboro, “…they will replace
the annual 10-day meeting usually held at Blue Ridge.”
1946: John R Mott awarded Nobel Peace Prize
(shared prize with Emily Balch)
November 11, 1946 Miami Daily News runs
article about the 1946 Nobel Prize winners
December 19, 1946 Orlando Sentinel runs
brief article about Mott returning from Nobel Prize ceremony.
May 28, 1948 (postmark date): First postmarked
card to use the word Assembly. Aerial view of Blue Ridge shows roofs of main
buildings are green and a few red roofs of cottages. apcbm07a02. Shown are: Abbott Hall, College Hall, Lee Hall, (old) Dining Room,
Asheville Hall, Gym, and several cottages.
1948: Professional land survey conducted
at Blue Ridge.
1950: Korean War starts
1951: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Parking improvements
-Modernization of some Lee
Hall rooms
June 8, 1951 Asheville
Citizen
in an article about the opening of the season: “Conference delegates and summer
guests will find more room for parking and several rooms modernized in Lee
Hall….grading and graveling of lots near the main building has doubled the
parking space, making room for 500 additional automobiles.”
February
1951: 22nd Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Presidential Term Limits
1951: Quote from July 8, 1951 Greenville
News, description of the property: “Centered
closely around Lee Hall are perhaps two score buildings, the more important
being Lee Hall itself, headquarters and largest hotel; Martha Washington,
residence for girls; Abbott Hall, guest house for speakers; College Hall, Hobbs
Library, Asheville Hall, and the gymnasium. There are also a dozen or so
cottages built with college YMCA funds. The Assembly owns its water and
lighting facilities, a beautiful lake, baseball and tennis grounds, and other
facilities for sports and recreation”
1951: Blue Ridge Encampment for Churches
of Christ starts using Blue Ridge. (Name
later changed to Blue Ridge Family
Encampment then Blue Ridge
Encampment.) The conference would run continually until ending in 2014.
1951: AT&T implements the North American Numbering Plan
(NANP). This new telephone number system has a three-digit area code plus
seven-digit phone number. NANP was developed in 1947 but not implemented until
1951. The area code for all of North Carolina is 704. Blue Ridge’s old phone
number was: 9-8422. The old phone number was still in use in 1960s. x11-bcarlton1961-01. (July 24, 1944 Asheville Citizen, classified ad under “Hotel” lists the phone number for Blue Ridge as
“Black Mountain 3641”.)
1952: Blue Ridge celebrates 40 years (starting at 1912 opening season).
June 1, 1952 Asheville
Citizen Times article
highlights start of 1952 season (“enters its 41st season”).
Improvements over the past 7 years (after the YMCA took ownership in 1943 and a
few seasons of limited operation) include: “hard surfacing roads on the
grounds, improving equipment, remodeling rooms and items.”
July 27, 1952 Asheville Citizen Times highlights 40 years; article mentions: 18 summer
cottages, gymnasium (for basketball, square dancing, gymnastics, roller
skating), swimming pool (“fed by sparkling mountain stream”), lake, shuffle
board, horseshoe course, tennis courts, “The Dell” (a forest ‘auditorium’
equipped with a rostrum and wooden benches).
July 16, 1952 (postmark date): Aerial view of Blue
Ridge show red roofs on the main buildings, except for College Hall, which is
green. apcbm19b01. Shown are: Abbott Hall, College Hall, Lee Hall, (old)
Dining Hall, Gym, Asheville, and a small building where Blue Ridge Center now stands.
August 1952: Tennis stars put on exhibition at Blue Ridge. Gardnar Mulloy,
Art Larson, Tony Vincent, and Charles Stearnes play.
August 14, 1952 Asheville
Citizen runs brief article about Gardnar Mulloy, Art Larson, Tony Vincent, and
Charles Stearnes playing exhibition games at Blue Ridge. A separate article
explains the four are visiting Mulloy’s father, RB Mulloy, who is vacationing
at Blue Ridge. (Note: Gardnar Mulloy would later build and have the tennis
courts named for him at Blue Ridge.)
1952: Henry T Ware appointed Executive Secretary (replacing ES Jackson).
September 5, 1952 Asheville Citizen runs
brief article about ES Jackson resigning.
November 27, 1952 Asheville Citizen runs announcement of Henry T Ware as new executive
secretary.
1953: Dwight Eisenhower becomes President
1953: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Improvements at the Lake
-Improvements in College Hall
May 31, 1953 Asheville
Citizen Times:
In article about the upcoming conferences, it includes: “The lake area has been
beautified, new piers have been built, and sand beaches enlarged and improved.
Visitors and guests at Blue Ridge this summer will find many changes at College
Hall. Opera seats and venetian blinds have been installed and stage drapes
added.”
May
1953: Herbert W Sanders retires after 34 years with Blue Ridge
August 23, 1947 Asheville
Citizen
article about end of 1947 season mentions: “In the final meeting of the YMCA
secretaries and general board meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W Sanders were paid
a high tribute of appreciation for their 29 years of service at Blue Ridge
Assembly. Dr. WD Weatherford made a speech in behalf of the assembly and
presented Mr. and Mrs. Sanders with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.”
May 14, 1953 Asheville
Citizen
article about HW Sanders retirement. Sanders started with Blue Ridge in January
1919 as the bookkeeper. In 1921 he became the business manager. In 1946 he
becomes resident manager. From 1919 to 1936, he spent summers at Blue Ridge and
winters in Nashville, TN with the YMCA Graduate School. HW Sanders is listed as
one of the incorporators of Blue Ridge College, Inc. in 1933.
August 20, 1971 Asheville
Citizen: in an
article about the dedication of Blue Ridge Center, it mentions: “…On the
program will be Dr. Willis D Weatherford, Jr., president of Berea (KY) College,
who will dedicate a plaque honoring Herbert W Sanders, former resident
manager…”
August
2, 1953: Asheville’s
first TV station, WISE-TV, starts broadcasting.
1953: Korean War ends (Congress extended the
war period to 1955 to define a period of benefit eligibility because of uneasy
peace negotiations after 1953).
May 17,
1954: Brown vs Board
of Education decided by Supreme Court
October 1954: Last of debts cancelled
October 9. 1954 Asheville
Citizen runs photo with caption “The last debt of the Blue Ridge Assembly was
formally canceled yesterday as the canceled note for $4,000 was presented to
the executive committee of the Southern YMCA Assembly’s board of directors.”
1956:
Regional Transportation
-Interstate
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 (National Interstate and
Defense Highways Act). Interstate 40 (I-40) was included in the planning. From
1958-1992 construction of the North Carolina parts of I-40 in various locations
and phases was completed. The section of I-40 with Black Mountain exits was
completed in the early 1970s.
1956:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Abernathy Memorial Drive
(paving of main road)
April 4, 1957 Asheville
Citizen Times: in same article
announcing Robert H Spiro, Jr. as Executive Secretary: “The main road serving
the mountainside assembly was dedicated as Abernathy Memorial Drive and a
plaque installed at the assembly entrance. The memorial honors MA Abernathy, of
Shreveport, LA, a former member of the board who died in November 1955…The
funds for paving the road, which was done last spring, were provided by a donor
who preferred to remain anonymous.”
1956: Blue Ridge celebrates 50 years
(starting at 1906 Weatherford purchase of property)
April 15, 1956 Asheville
Citizen Times article says
celebration will be on June 24, 1956 in College Hall.
April 25, 1956 Asheville
Citizen article: Weatherford is
presented “a scroll bearing the citation for his service…” Frank Porter Graham
was the keynote speaker.
1956: Weatherford Memorial Park is dedicated.
1957: Robert H Spiro, Jr. appointed
Executive Secretary (replacing
Henry T Ware).
April 4, 1957 Asheville
Citizen Times runs announcement
1957: Plans for $1.5 million Capital Campaign
April 4, 1957 Asheville Citizen Times,
in same article announcing Robert H Spiro, Jr as executive director: “…the
Board reviewed and reiterated plans for a capital fund campaign for
modernization of the assembly…The tentative goal for the fund drive is
$1,500,000. The money will be used to rebuild Robert E Lee Hall, the main
building for housing guests; and for modernizing the other major
buildings…Architects’ plans have been developed on a tentative basis and
approved”
October
4, 1957: USSR
launches Sputnik, the world’s first satellite
October 4, 1957: Julia Weatherford dies (1889-1957). She is buried in the Weatherford Memorial Park at Blue
Ridge.
October 5, 1957 Nashville Tennessean
October 6, 1957 Asheville Citizen
Times
January
31, 1958: US
launches Explorer 1, the first US satellite
August
12, 1958 (postmark date): Last post card postmarked Blue Ridge NC apcn451a02
August 23, 1958: Billy Graham visits Blue Ridge
August 24, 1958 Ashville
Citizen Times: article about
Billy Graham speaking to the Blue Ridge staff.
1958:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Repairs to: Abbott Hall, Lee Hall, Kitchen, Swimming Pool
October 4, 1958 Asheville
Citizen article about the end
of the season: “…Repairs and improvements are under way now at the assembly:
Abbott Hall is being completely decorated. Asheville Hall is being painted.
Some rooms in Lee Hall, the main residence building, and the kitchen are being
modernized. The swimming pool has been repaired…Dan River Mills of Danville, VA
has donated 1000 new bedsheets to the assembly.”
January
1959: Alaska
admitted to the Union
August
1959: Hawaii
admitted to the Union
February
1960: Olympic Winter
Games held in Squaw Valley, CA
1960:
Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Improvements to: Lee Hall, Asheville Hall, Cottages
February
26, 1960 Asheville Citizen:
“Three buildings and 11 cottages at Blue Ridge Assembly are getting extensive
improvements now…Some improvements will have been made to all the institution’s
40 buildings by the time the 1960 conference season opens in June.”
Improvements listed in article: Lee Hall – main lobby renovated, new drapes and
venetian blinds, 11 rooms repainted/rewired/floors refinished; Asheville Hall –
“being renovated completely.” (Third building not named, cottages not named or
improvements described.) Article describes Asheville Hall: “a residential
building which can accommodate 110 guests and also contains an auditorium and
classrooms…”
1961: John F Kennedy becomes President
March
1961: 23rd Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
May 5,
1961: Alan Shepard
becomes first American in space
1961: US becomes involved in the Vietnam
Conflict
1961: Construction on Berlin Wall starts
1961: James W Gladden appointed President (replacing Robert H Spiro, Jr. – title change)
January 28, 1961 Anniston
Star in an
article about “Blue Ridge Night” Gladden is introduced as “…the new Blue Ridge
Assembly president…” “He will assume his new position in July of this year
after resigning as a sociology professor at the University of Kentucky.”
June 21, 1961 Asheville
Citizen runs
announcement.
June 7,
1961: Regional Transportation
-Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport opens (The new airport was
approved on January 15, 1951. Asheville, Hendersonville, and Henderson County
operated a joint airport before the Asheville Regional Airport was built.)
June 29,
1961 (postmark date):
First postmarked card to use “Owned and operated by the YMCAs of the 10
Southeastern States” ck044823
February
12, 1962: John Glenn
becomes first American to orbit the Earth
1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
1962: Charles R Younts appointed Acting President (replacing James W Gladden).
May 31, 1962 Asheville
Citizen article about start of
1962 summer season includes this at the end: “Charles R Younts, retired
executive of the Plantation Pipe Line and formally chairman of the Board of
Directors of Blue Ridge Assembly, will serve as acting president during the
summer. He replaces Dr. James W Gladden who is returning to the University of
Kentucky Friday.”
July 2, 1963 Asheville
Citizen article about Limbert’s
speech at the YMCA Secretaries conference mentions: “Charles Younts, acting
president for Blue Ridge Assembly, welcomed the group and introduced Dr.
Limbert as the newly elected president…”
1963: Lyndon Johnson becomes President
1963: Paul M Limbert appointed President (replacing James W Gladden, previous president, and
Charles R Younts, acting president).
June 30, 1962 Asheville
Citizen Times article about the
Southern Region Association of YMCA Secretaries, “It was recently announced
that Dr. Limbert will become president of Blue Ridge Assembly as of Sept. 1,
1963.”
July 2, 1963 Asheville
Citizen article about Limbert’s
speech at the YMCA Secretaries conference mentions: “Charles Younts, acting
president for Blue Ridge Assembly, welcomed the group and introduced Dr.
Limbert as the newly elected president…”
July 4, 1963 Asheville
Citizen article about a board
meeting of the Southern Regional Association of YMCA Secretaries, Limbert is
identified as the “incoming president of Blue Ridge Association.”
1963::Ware Cottage built.
July
1963: US Post Office
begins use of the five-digit ZIP Code. Use of the ZIP Code was mandatory in
1967.
October
1963: US Post Office
publishes two-letter abbreviations for states.
January
1964: 24th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Poll Tax Barred
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
1964: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-One Cottage (not identified
in article)
-Northcott Fields (new
sports fields)
-Plans for Ware Pavilion and Swimming Pool announced
August 30, 1964 Asheville
Citizen Times: Article describes
construction projects: “One new cottage was built (not named in article) and
another reconstructed (not named in article). Five new sports fields were built
this year, designated as Northcott Fields because of the contribution to their
construction made by JC Northcott of Gove Stone and Sand Company of Swannanoa,
treasurer of the Blue Ridge Board…Ground will be broken for a large
gymnasium…This will be named Ware Gymnasium (later changed to Pavilion) in recognition
of a large contribution toward its building secured through William Ware of
Miami…Detailed plan were presented also for an outdoor swimming pool…”
June 1964: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
starts using Blue Ridge.
February 9, 1964 Asheville
Citizen Times announces: “The
first Southern conference of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been
added to an already-crowded slate of activity at the YMCA conference and
training center here…To accommodate this program, expanded sports facilities
will be built, including a large sheltered gymnasium for inclement weather and
evening activities…The directors…also decided to proceed with a new swimming
pool to supplement the mountain lake…A year-round conference unit that will
house 250 persons also is close to achievement…”
June 8, 1964 Asheville
Citizen article on keynote
speaker and the conference.
July 3, 1964: A plaque is placed at
the base of the “Eureka” tree (left
corner of Lee Hall). This is the tree Weatherford climbed in 1906.
July 5,
1964 Asheville Citizen Times: Photo of the ceremony
1965: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Ware Pavilion: Made
possible through gifts from the Ware Foundation of Philadelphia and Arthur H Lee
and Charles A Hamilton of Anniston.
June 19, 1964 Asheville
Citizen: In an article about
Limbert’s speech at the Southern Area Council YMCA conference, it mentions:
“Highlight of the morning’s activities will be the dedication of the $50,000
Ware Recreation Pavilion, newest building on the assembly grounds. The building
was constructed with contributions from the Ware Foundation of Miami, FL and
Arthur H Lee and Charles A Hamilton, Anniston, AL, industrialists.”
June 20, 1965 Asheville
Citizen Times: photo of
dedication of Ware Pavilion.
1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965
1966: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Warner Pool
December 10, 1965 Greenville News article announcing $60,000 gift from the David
Warner Foundation of Tuscaloosa, AL to build a new pool “...that is modern in
every way…”. Paddock Pool Builders, Inc. from Atlanta will build the pool.
Construction will start immediately so it will be ready for the 1966 season.
Summer 1966: Atlanta Falcons
football team use Blue Ridge as summer training site
March 27, 1966 Asheville Citizen Times article announces Blue Ridge has been selected.
Falcons to start July 2, 1966. The Blue Ridge football field will be re-sodded
with turf from the property of Billy Graham’s radio station, players will stay
in Asheville Hall, training room will be installed in the gymnasium, other
improvement are being made.
April 29, 1966 Asheville Citizen runs photo of workers laying sod at Blue Ridge
1967: Major Expansion Project Plans and
Construction:
-Replacement of Robert E Lee Hall (replacement plans later changed)
-Younts Hall (New male staff
dorm dedicated August 19, 1967. Named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R Younts
of Atlanta. First used during the summer season of 1968)
-Water Supply System
December 11, 1966, Asheville Citizen Times runs article “New Lee Hall To Be Built at Blue
Ridge” with details to replace Lee Hall with a new building to be called
“Weatherford Great Hall”. Plans are for it to be an all-season building with Dining
facilities, and meeting rooms. A campaign to raise $4.2 million to build the
new building will be announced in January. Besides the new Lee Hall, the
campaign included a new male staff dorm.
January 29, 1967 Asheville
Citizen times article: “Plans
for the new Robert E Lee Hall were approved unanimously by the Board of
Directors…Reconstruction of the 55-year old building will take place on the
same site…” The article also lists male dorm: “A higher priority was given to a
small residence hall for the men of the summer collegiate staff. With increase
of this section of the summer staff to 100 young men and women, the housing
facilities have become quite inadequate. It is hoped that this dormitory can be
completed by June.” The new Lee Hall and dorm are part of the $4.1 million
capital campaign.
March 28, 1967 Asheville Citizen Times article detailing two projects. The first project
is a new water supply system consisting of 5000 feet of ductile iron pipe. Work
is being done by Hobson Construction Company of Asheville. Jordan, Jones, and
Goulding of Atlanta are the engineers. Pipe was donated by the American Cast
Iron Pipe Company of Birmingham. The second project is a new dorm for male
summer staff, “to be known as Younts Hall”. Mr. and Mrs. Charles R Younts
donated $50,000 and the Ware Foundation of Philadelphia donated $40,000 for the
new dorm. Rondesics, Inc. of Atlanta has the contact for Younts Hall, costing
$87,469.
May 30, 1967, Anniston Star article: Three-stage expansion program explained.
Includes: Phase 1 (completed June 1966): modern swimming pool, pavilion,
athletic fields. Phase 2: “re-building of Robert E Lee Hall,… new staff
residence hall for men. Phase 3: remodeling older buildings, construction of
more cottages, development of facilities for family camping. Phase 3 should be
complete by 1980.
August 18, 1967 Asheville
Citizen article: “A $100,000
dormitory for male college students will be dedicated Saturday (August 19,
1957) at 3pm. The new structure which will go into service during the 1968
conference season will be called Younts Hall in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R
Younts, of Atlanta, GA.” “Along with the dedication of a new dormitory for male
college students (Younts Hall), the members of the Board will face major
decisions in the principal project, that of replacing Robert E Lee Hall,
central building on the grounds with a year round facility.”
January
15, 1967: Super Bowl
I in Los Angeles, CA (Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs)
February
1967: 25th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Presidential Disability and Succession
July 1968: Frank M. “Scotty” Washburn appointed
Executive Director (replacing Frank
M Limbert – title change)
April 21, 1968 Asheville Citizen Times ran announcement.
1968: Fair Housing Act of 1968
1969: Richard Nixon becomes President
July
16, 1969: Apollo 11
launches with Lance Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mike Collins with sights on the
moon
July
20, 1969: Lance
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon
September 1969: Lee Hall “Paul Grist Room” Dedication
September 7, 1969 Selma Times
Journal: Paul M Grist is “honored for a ‘lifetime
of service through the YMCA’ by the governing board of the (Blue Ridge)
Assembly and the Blue Ridge Leaders School. A meeting room in Lee Hall…has been
renamed the ‘Paul Grist Room’.” The article includes the Board Resolution.
October 24, 1969: First postmarked card to have a
ZIP code in the TO address. apckbm02a02
1970: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Blue Ridge Center - BRC is built in several phases.
-Abbott
Hall renovations
January 18, 1970 Asheville
Citizen Times. Plans announced
for $1.2 million year-round conference center
that “will conclude accommodations for 134 persons; a complete dining
and kitchen facility with facilities to serve the total summer conference
enrollment of more than 800; a lobby and registration area; library and
bookstore lounge; conference rooms and administrative offices”. The project
will be done in phases. (“Blue Ridge Center” name is not used in the article.).
The project also includes the renovation of Abbott Hall for year-round
operation.
August 15, 1971 Asheville Citizen Times, August 20, 1971 and August 21, 1971 Asheville Citizen: Dedication of phase one of the Blue Ridge
Center construction project. Phase one is the kitchen, dining room for 830
people, meeting rooms, lounge, and offices. This phase is $750,000.
Construction will continue, with the total project costing $1.25 million.
May 31, 1974 Asheville Citizen: Blue Ridge receives $200,000 gift from an
anonymous foundation to continue construction of Blue Ridge Center. Blue Ridge
Center is two-thirds complete. Groundbreaking on the final phase will be late
June.
June 20, 1974 Asheville Citizen runs photo of group: “Two officials of the YMCA
Blue Ridge Assembly broke ground recently for the final phase of the $1.6
million all-season conference center…”
1970: Blue Ridge becomes a year-round
operation.
March 28, 1971 Asheville Citizen Times: Blue Ridge advertisement that shows the new Blue Ridge
Center with Lee Hall in the background. The text includes: “The Assembly for
the first time will begin operating as a year-round conference and training
center with a summer capacity of 700 guests and a September through May
capacity of 150 guests.”
February 21, 1970: Willis D Weatherford
dies (1875-1970). He is buried next to Julia in Weatherford
Memorial Park at Blue Ridge.
February 23, 1970 Asheville Citizen.
July 1970: Tokyo YMCA sends first group to Blue Ridge
April 1,
1980 Asheville Citizen in an
article about Blue Ridge “seeking recognition as an International Program
Center”, it mentions “…the first group of Japanese students came to Blue Ridge
in July 1970…”
October 8, 1970 (postmark date): First
postmarked card with Blue Ridge’s ZIP code printed on the card. apckbm14c01
1971: Conference on National Affairs (CONA) moves to Blue Ridge (YMCA High School Youth In Government, conference
started in 1968 in Stone Mountain, GA)
July 7, 1974 Montgomery
Advertiser: article includes
brief history of CONA
July
1971: 26th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Voting Age Set to 18 years
June 19,
1973 (postmark date):
First postmarked card showing Blue Ridge Center. This is also the first
postmarked card to use “Owned by the YMCAs of the Southeast Region.” (Slightly
different wording from on November 1, 1962.)
ck048361a01
1974: Gerald Ford becomes President
1974: Blue Ridge receives $200,000 gift
from an anonymous foundation
May 31, 1974 Asheville Citizen: Blue Ridge receives $200,000 gift from an
anonymous foundation to continue construction of Blue Ridge Center. Blue Ridge
Center is two-thirds complete. Groundbreaking on the final phase will be late
June.
1974: Blue Ridge recognized as an
International YMCA because of its
longstanding exchange program with YMCAs all over the world.
December 10, 2005 Asheville Citizen Times:
brief article about International staff presentation at the Black Mountain
library mentions: “In 1974, YMCA Blue Ridge as recognized as an International
YMCA and was named an International YMCA Program Center in 1980…”
1975: Vietnam Conflict ends
1976: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Blue Ridge Center is complete.
1976: Walter F Mondale visits Blue Ridge (then vice-president candidate)
August 12, 1976 Asheville
Citizen: “Democratic vice president
nominee Walter F Mondale will arrive in Asheville Sunday to speak at a
convention of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at Blue Ridge Assembly.”
(Jimmy Carter would be elected president
with Walter Mondale vice-president.)
1977: Jimmy Carter becomes President
1978: Campaign and Major Development Plan Starts:
-Weatherford Hall (female
staff dorm)
-Whittington Amphitheater
-Younts Service Center (maintenance
and garage building)
-Recreational facilities and Trail Development
-Trail Shelters at High Top and High Windy
-Washburn Center (child-care/arts
and crafts/meeting building)
October 27, 1978 Asheville Citizen article announces the first phase of a $5 million
development program. The first phase will be the construction of a $1 million
building that will be the new women’s staff summer resident hall and available
to groups other times during the year. (This will become Weatherford Hall, but
that name was not used in the article.)
January 31, 1979 Asheville
Citizen article announces $4500
gift and details the development plan: “Included in six projects are a new
young adult conference center-women's residence hall, to cost approximately $1
million; an 800-seat outdoor chapel-amphitheater, three staff resident homes, a
service-garage-storage complex, additional recreational facilities, including
tennis courts, shelters on High Top and High Windy, and trail development on
the 1,600 acre mountain site.” The conference center-women’s dorm is under
construction already. Construction on Blue Ridge Center was completed in 1976.
May 30, 1979 Asheville
Citizen article announcing a
series of gifts, totaling $25,000, the previous week “toward the cost of its
$900,000 young adult conference center women’s residence hall.” The article
also states: “The assembly is presently embarked on a regionwide campaign to
raise $1,350,00 for six projects…So far, $560,000 has been reported in cash and
pledges and the residence hall is under construction with J Bertram King as
architect and HM Rice as contractor.”
January 18, 1981 Asheville
Citizen Times article lists the
1980 highlights of Blue Ridge including: being recognized in the National
Register of Historic Places (end of 1979), construction of Weatherford Hall,
and funding for Whittington Amphitheater (referred it as a “facility”). The
article details a gift from William B Fesperman, but does not name the project
(Fesperman Shelter). The article also details long range $1.4 million project:
“arts-crafts-child care center, permanent staff residence cottages, a service
center, two additional tennis courts, trail development, an additional camping
shelter at High Top, and a second endowment fund.”
March 8, 1981 Asheville
Citizen Times runs article
basically the same as the January 18, 1981 Asheville Citizen Times article, but
names the project funded by William B Feperman as the “Fresperman Shelter” and
uses the term “amphitheater” for the Whittington Amphitheater.
March 12, 1981 Asheville
Citizen article announces
$25,000 gift “to kick off its 75th anniversary building program
campaign.” The article details projects: “The building program consists of a
child development-arts-crafts-meeting room and recreation center,…three
permanent staff residence buildings,…a service-center, including garage-repair
and storage facility,…new tennis courts,…trail development,…and a second
camping shelter at High Top.” Also “...expand its endowment program to a full
$1 million…”
August 27, 1981 Asheville
Citizen article announces
$250,000 “challenge grant” as part of the “1980-85 development campaign”. The
grant is specifically earmarked for maintenance fund. The article also lists
the same projects as the March 12, 1981 Asheville
Citizen article.
September 17, 1979: Blue Ridge listed on the National Register of Historic Sites (Blue Ridge Historic Assembly District).
January 18, 1981 Asheville
Citizen Times article:
“Following a three-year study of architectural and cultural heritage of the
Assembly, Blue Ridge was officially recognized and entered in the National
Register of Historic Places the of 1979”
August 7, 1981 Asheville
Citizen article: As part of the
75th Anniversary Celebration, “…Lee Hall will have a bronze plaque
installed…recognizing the cultural heritage and the Assembly. It was presented
to the Assembly by the U.S. Department of Interior”
February 1980: Winter Olympic Games held in Lake
Placid, NY
1980: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Weatherford Hall - Female staff move from Martha/George Washington
Hall to Weatherford Hall during the summer. It is used by conferences during
the non-summer months.
-Fesperman Shelter built on Carolina Loop trail
-John T and Maty M Fesperman Picnic Shelter at the Lake (need more information)
March 8, 1981 Asheville Citizen Times: another article about Blue Ridge highlights of the
year mention: Weatherford Hall and “The Fesperman Shelter, an overnight camping
facility on the bluff overlooking Blue Ridge, was completed. William B
Fesperman, general director of the Asheville YMCA, had provided a lead gift of
$4000 which was supplemented by $2000 contributed by the Assembly staff and
$3000 by the Board” (1980)
July 18, 1981 Asheville Citizen Times: article about the Blue Ridge highlights of the year: “…The summer of 1981 has been designated as our Diamond Jubilee Celebration, with special events starting with the dedication of Weatherford Hall last Aug. 8…” (1980)
July 1980: Blue Ridge sends first
group to Tokyo YMCA
April 1,
1980 Asheville Citizen article
about Blue Ridge “seeking recognition as an International Program Center”
mentions Blue Ridge “…will send four young men and women from the assembly’s
college staff to Japan for the month of July to participate in an exchange
program…”
January 18, 1981 Asheville Citizen
Times article: “Blue Ridge
Assembly recruits international student staff each summer. It has a partnership
with the YMCA of Tokyo, and for the past 10 years, more than 200 young Japanese
students have come and participated as members of our staff. In 1980, Blue
Ridge consummated a two-way exchange and four American students went to Japan
for a one-month stay in a work-study experience. These young people represented
Blue Ridge Assembly at a YMCA Conference Center, located in the mountains of
Japan and operated by the Tokyo YMCA.”
September 1980: Blue Ridge formally recognized as
an International Program Center by
the International Division of the YMCA of the USA. Blue Ridge is the first YMCA
in the South to receive this honor.
April 1,
1980 Asheville Citizen article
about Blue Ridge “seeking recognition as an International Program Center”.
January 18, 1981 Asheville Citizen
Times article about the Blue
Ridge highlights of the year: “In September of 1980, Blue Ridge Assembly was
formally recognized by the International Division of the YMCA as an
International Program Center, the first in the Southeast region...”
December 10, 2005 Asheville Citizen Times:
brief article about International staff presentation at the Black Mountain
library mentions: “In 1974, YMCA Blue Ridge as recognized as an International
YMCA and was named an International YMCA Program Center in 1980…”
1981: Ronald Reagan becomes President
1981: Blue Ridge celebrates 75 years-
“Diamond Jubilee”
March 8, 1981 Asheville
Citizen Times article announces
plans for the celebration and gives highlights of 1980.
1981: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Whittington Amphitheater
August 7, 1981 Asheville
Citizen article: As part of the
75th Anniversary Celebrations, the new 800-seat Whittington
Amphitheater is dedicated. “The new amphitheater has been constructed in honor
of the late Earie L Whittington, former general director of the Memphis, TN
YMCA…”
1982: The term “Internet” is first used (then
ARPAnet)
June 3, 1982: Barbara Bush speaks at Blue Ridge
June 4, 1982 Asheville
Citizen: Barbara Bush, wife of
(then) Vice-President George HW Bush, speaks at the National Affiliation for
Literacy Advance conference at Blue Ridge.
October
1983: First
commercial cellular phone system starts in Chicago.
1983: Blue Ridge establishes Maintenance
Trust Fund
August 27, 1981 Asheville
Citizen announces “$250,000
challenge grant” from “…a private philanthropic foundation that has requested
the contribution be considered ‘an anonymous one’…” Grant requires $500,00 be
raised first, of which the Board of Directors members have pledged $175,000.
This is part of the
December 28, 1983 Greenville News article announces Blue Ridge has received a
$250,000 gift from an anonymous “southeastern foundation”. As a condition of
the grant, $500,000 had to be raised first. The proceeds from the new $750,000
Maintenance Trust Fund will be used for the care and preservation of buildings
and program facilities. The $250,000 gift is the largest gift to date.
July-August
1984: Summer Olympic
Games held in Los Angeles, CA
1985-1987: Blue Ridge Board of Directors – first
woman president – Mary Ann McCarty
February 24, 1993 Simpson County News: article highlighting Mary Ann “Maggie” McCarty states: “Since 1976, Mrs. McCarty has been on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center. She was the first woman president and first staff president to become president of the Board of Blue Ridge Assembly.” The obituary of McCarty in the June 11, 2015 Magee Courier (Magee, MS) states the same thing.
(Note: Neither article state what years she was president.)
November 11, 2010 Magee Courier, in an article about the naming of the McCarty Family Lodge, it states she was Board President 1985-1987.
1985: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Charles R. Younts Maintenance Service
1985: C Roger Hibbard appointed Executive
Director (replacing Frank M
“Scotty” Washburn)
May 26, 1985 Asheville
Citizen Times runs announcement
of in the Business People section.
1989: George HW Bush becomes President
1986: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Shelter (location not
named, to be used for the YMCA Day Camp)
August 27, 1986 Asheville
Citizen article: The Community
Foundation of Western North Carolina awards Blue Ridge $1000 “to construct a
shelter for use by the Asheville-Buncombe County YMCA Day camp held at the
Assembly.”
July 22, 1989: Rosalynn Carter speaks at Blue
Ridge
July 24, 1989 Asheville Citizen: Rosalynn Carter, wife of
former President Jimmy Carter, speaks at the Blue Ridge Institute for Southern
Community Service Executives.
1989: Berlin Wall falls
1989: Blue
Ridge receives $150,000 gift for renovations of Asheville Hall from the Kresge Foundation, Troy,
Michigan.
December 31, 1989 Asheville Citizen Times article
1990: Blue Ridge receives $100,000 gift for renovations of Asheville Hall from the Cannon Foundation, Concord. The Asheville Hall project
is the last part of a $2 million building program.
July 5, 1990 Asheville
Citizen: article about the gift
1991: Cold War ends with the collapse of the
Soviet Union
May
1992: 27th Amendment
to the Constitution ratified: Limiting Congressional Pay Increases
1993: William J Clinton becomes President
1993: “Vision 2000” campaign started
1993: WD Weatherford inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College
1994: Alpine Tower built as the first
element of the Camp Cousins Challenge Course
1995: Climbing Wall and Team Development
Low rope Couse built.
1995: Blue Ridge receives $100,000 gift
for restoration of Lee Hall from
the Cannon Foundation, Concord.
March 28, 1995 Asheville
Citizen: article about the gift
July-August
1996: Summer Olympic
Games held in Atlanta, GA
1997: 3.5 mile Intermediate Bike Trail
opens (Assembly purchases mountain
bikes)
1997: Blue Ridge receives $400,000 grant for renovation of Lee Hall from Kresge Foundation
November 12, 1997 Asheville Citizen Times
article details the $400,000 challenge grant, which requires Blue Ridge raise
$1.6 million to complete the $4 million Vision 2000 Campaign by December 1,
1998. (A brief mention this grant was in October 25, 1997 Asheville
Citizen Times, but the November
17 articles give more detail.)
1998: Blue Ridge Assembly registers the domain name: blueridgeassembly.org
1998: Area Code for western third of North
Carolina changes to 828.
1999: The movie “28 Days” is filmed at Blue Ridge.
March 3, 1999 Asheville Citizen Times announces filming. Pre-production work starts in
mid-March with shooting from mid-April to mid-May.
April 30, 1999 Asheville Citizen Times runs article about the shooting that is on-going.
May 9, 1999 Asheville Citizen Times runs several articles about the local impact of the
move filming.
April 14, 2000 Asheville Citizen Times announces the opening of “28 Days” movie.
1999: Craft Shop expands to year-round
service.
2000: The Diamond Extension (high ropes
challenge course) is built.
2001: George W Bush becomes President
2001: Harry Brace Indoor Challenge Course
constructed in Ware Pavilion
(pavilion enclosed)
September
11, 2001: 9/11
attacks
February
2002: Winter Olympic
Games held in Salt Lake City, UT
2003: Brian Hibbard paints Centennial
Mural
2004: The first Family Lodge is built behind Lee Hall next to the Whittington
Amphitheater.
2004: Woodland Archery Range established
near lower field.
2005: Watts Family Odyssey Course built next to the Camp Cousins Challenge Course.
2005: New sand volleyball court built behind the Old Gym.
2005: “Eureka! A Century of YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly” centennial book
published.
2006: Blue Ridge celebrates its Centennial.
August 6, 2005 Asheville Citizen Times article announces the upcoming anniversary and
requests stories and memorabilia from alumni.
March 2, 2006 Black Mountain News: article with history and some celebration events,
including a July 21 gathering at Weatherford’s Cabin hosted by Anne Weatherford
(daughter-in-law).
October 5, 2006 Black Mountain News: Black Mountain Center for the Arts performs the
original play “Way Back When: Around The Campfire” highlighting stories from
Blue Ridge’s 100 years. The play will run for two weeks.
2006: Western Union discontinues telegraph
service in the US. The last telegram ever would be in 2013 when India’s
telegraph service stops.
October 6, 2006: Buncombe County NC proclaims October 6, 2006, “YMCA Blue Ridge
Assembly Day”
2007: The second Family Lodge is built up from Whittington Amphitheater
2008: 18-Hold Disc Golf course built around lower field.
July 26, 2008: Fire in Abbott Hall laundry.
July 31, 2008 Black Mountain News: Black Mountain Fire Department responds to fire at
Blue Ridge at 1:31am on July 26. The fire was in the laundry of Abbott Hall.
The fire was contained quickly and no major damage. Some guests moved to Lee
Hall.
2008: George and Martha Washington Hall are razed. The third Family Lodge built
in its location (down the hill from
Younts Hall).
2009: Barack Obama becomes President
December 2009: C Roger Hibbard retires after 33
years with Blue Ridge
December 31, 2009, Black Mountain News
2010: Kurt L Eckel appointed Chief Executive Officer (replacing C Roger
Hibbard – title change).
March 4, 2010 Black Mountain News. runs announcement
2011: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Ragger’s Point
2011: Family Lodge Dedication
-McCarty
Lodge
November 11, 2010 Magee Courier: article
about the naming of the McCarthy Family Lodge and the involvement of Mary Ann
McCarty at Blue Ridge.
June 11, 2015 Magee
Courier: Obituary of Mary Ann
McCarty states: “In 2011 Mrs. McCarty’s support and contributions (to Blue
Ridge) were further recognized when she was honored by Blue Ridge Assembly with
the dedication of the McCarty Lodge.” (Note: obituary states 2011, but it
was 2010 according to an article at that time.)
2015: Lee Hall renamed Eureka Hall
January 29, 2015 Black
Mountain News article:
“Balancing heritage with changing times, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly was changed
the name of its iconic Robert E Lee Hall to a name derived from the word its
founder uttered when he first saw the forested acreage near Black Mountain over
a century ago.” The article also explains “The hall will be named Eureka Hall
for three years only, after which the new board will select its new name.”
2017: Donald Trump becomes President
2017: YMCAs of the Southeast Hall of Fame is established and housed in Eureka Hall.
2017: Melissa Bailey Logan appointed
Chief Executive Officer (replacing
Kurt Eckel)
Still filling in
the blanks…..
____: Blue Ridge Farm (Black Mountain College had a farm; Orchard and
other farms are mentioned in Blue Ridge articles and publications)
Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 6 number 6, March
1925 includes photo of farm labeled “Our Own Garden” Same photo page repeats
in Blue Ridge
Voice, volume 7 number 2, November
1925
Letters between Weatherford and JJ King about apple orchard and revenue
from sale of apples.
____: Conference Leadership and Parent
Organizations switch (Former
YMCA-sponsored conferences become independent, i.e.: Hi-Y Conference becomes
Values Conference with Montgomery YMCA; Leaders School to Southern YMCA to Blue
Ridge;
Industrial
Conference incorporates as Blue Ridge Conference on Leadership (in Atlanta
1998-2005), becomes program of Auburn University
Blue
Ridge Encampment, Inc.: 1958-06-26-19590216-BkC0021Pg0313
____: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Gardnar Mulloy Tennis Courts
May 8, 2008 Black
Mountain News: in the obituary
of Marcia Mulloy Wilson Pedersen, it states “Her father, Rob, a YMCA board
member in Miami, was instrumental in bring athletics to Blue Ridge Assembly
YMCA Conference Center and built the Gardnar Mulloy tennis courts there.”
____: Old Dining Hall behind Lee Hall
razed (late 1980s)
____: College Hall renamed Heaton Hall
____: Tom and Pat Thraikill Auditorium in
Heaton Hall dedicated
____: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Columbarium
____: Construction at Blue Ridge:
-Improvements to Heaton Hall and Eureka Hall (air conditioning installed)
____: Last mention of “Missionary Movement” Conference
June 9, 1932 Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH) – under church updates (last line), Missionary Education Movement conferences announced, Blue Ridge listed.
September 15, 1948 Asheville Citizen Times – conference not included in the 1949 conference list
____: Blue Ridge Staff – Distinguished Alumni Service Award
– Mary Ann McCarty
February 24, 1993 Simpson County News: article highlighting Mary Ann “Maggie” McCarty states: “While on the Board of Blue Ridge Assembly, Mrs. McCarty was the second recipient of the distinguished alumni service award of the staff.” The obituary of McCarty in the June 11, 2015 Magee Courier (Magee, MS) states the same thing.
(Note: Neither article state what year she won the award.)
____: Last mention of “Southern Region Student YMCA-YWCA
Conference”
June 12, 1955 Asheville
Citizen Times
and June 15, 1955 Asheville
Citizen: run
articles about the speakers during the Southern Region YMCA-YWCA Conference.
June 15 article includes photo showing racial mix of conference.
August 30, 1959 Asheville
Citizen Times article
about the end of the season, mentions the summer “beginning with the YMCA-YWCA
College Student Conference…”
March 24, 1960 Asheville
Citizen article
listing the 1960 conferences includes “YMCA-YWCA Student Conference”. The list
of first time conferences include: “Southeastern Regional Conference of the
YWCA.”
May 31, 1962 Asheville
Citizen
article about upcoming 1962 conferences: “will open its 51st summer
season Tuesday with a five-day convention of college and university YMCAs and
YWCAs of the Southern Region.”
____: Paul Grist Award and Whittington Award
____: Summer Conference Schedule Shift (1990s-early 2000s. To accommodate the shift by some states to start school earlier in the summer, late July or first week in August in some cases, youth conferences held toward the end of the summer season request to be moved to moved earlier in summer so there is not a school schedule conflict for the participants. This has an effect on adult conferences and non-YMCA youth conferences that were historically held earlier in the summer months.)
____: “Olympic Change Day” (same-day mountain turnover between major conferences)
July 15, 1921 Asheville Citizen: “No time is wasted in the conduct of the summer YMCA and YWCA conferences at Blue Ridge. Immediately after breakfast Friday morning, delegates to the Southern Community Conference of the YWCA, which closed Thursday night, will begin vacating the residence halls. At noon more than 500 YMCA secretaries and business men who serve on YMCA boards of directors will begin moving in to attend the YMCA Southern Summer School.”
___+_: Road
Names: Lakey Gap Road renamed Blue Ridge Road (referenced in deed:
1972-10-12-19740701-Bk1102Pg0729: “…Lakey Gap Road, now known as Blue Ridge
Road…”), naming
of Blue Ridge Assembly Road (referenced in deed:
1972-05-05-19720505-Bk1060Pg0153 and 1980-09-10-19800911-Bk1253Pg0330: “…Blue
Ridge Road (sometimes called Blue Ridge Assembly Road and sometimes called
Assembly Drive)…”, naming of roads on Blue Ridge property
A few more dates…..
Locations for YMCA Southern Student
Conference (summer)
According
to newspaper article
1891:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN
1892:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN*
1893:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN*
1894:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN*
1895:
no conference, no regional secretary*
1896:
Bingham School, Asheville*^
1897:
Bingham School, Asheville*^
1898:
Bingham School, Asheville*^
1999:
Bingham School, Asheville*^
1900:
Bingham School, Asheville*^
1901:
Asheville School, Asheville*^
1902:
Asheville School^ June 13, 1902 Asheville
Citizen / (Haywood Sulphur Springs,
Waynesville*)
1903:
Asheville School*^ June 19, 1903 Nashville
American
1904:
Haywood White Sulphur Springs, Waynesville^ May 29, 1904 Morning
Post (Raleigh NC) / (Asheville School*)
1905:
Asheville School^ May
7, 1905 Atlanta Constitution / (Farm School, Asheville*)
1906:
Farm School, Swannanoa*^ June 16, 1906 Asheville
Citizen
1907:
Farm School, Swannanoa *^ June 14, 1907 Asheville
Citizen and Postcard: x01-1907b01
1908:
Montreat^ June 17, 1908 Charlotte
Observer and Postcard: x01-1908a01 (postmarked Montreat) /
(Farm School, Asheville*)
1909:
Montreat*^ June
24, 1909 Christian Advocate
1910:
Montreat*^ April 18, 1910 Asheville
Citizen
1911:
Montreat*^ (several articles listed in
the timeline mention the 1911 conference at Montreat)
1912:
Blue Ridge*^
Sources:
*
= May 9, 1930, University of North Carolina Chapel
Hill Tar Heel
^
= WDW Book (p 41) and ACandy2001 (p 75)
Newspaper
articles used to confirm location when source locations conflict
Locations for YWCA Southern Student
Conference (summer)
1895:
Rogersville, TN*
1896-1911:
Asheville Area*
1912:
Blue Ridge*
1945-1951:
not at Blue Ridge
1952:
Blue Ridge
Source:
Association Monthly 1913 page 329
Locations for Young People’s
Missionary Movement Conferences (summer)
(renamed Missionary Education
Movement Conference in 1912)
1903:
Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga TN (first conference)
1904:
Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga TN
1905:
Kenilworth Inn, Asheville
1906:
Kenilworth Inn, Asheville
1907:
Kenilworth Inn, Asheville
1908:
Kenilworth Inn, Asheville
1909:
Montreat (Kenilworth Inn destroyed by fire)
1910:
Normal and Collegiate Institute, Asheville
1911:
Normal and Collegiate Institute, Asheville
1912:
Blue Ridge
Source:
Missionary Survey: November 1911 – October 1912
Pages:
February 1912 page 270; August 1912 page 767
WD Weatherford books:
NOTE: Books and articles reflect the
times they were written. Some language, used at the time, may no longer be
acceptable. Language, writing styles, and terms used should be taken within
historical context.
1907:
Fundamental Religions Principals in Browning’s
Poetry (Ph.D. thesis)
1907:
College Problems
Volume 1 1907
Volume 2 1908 – contributor: “Every Secretary an Evangelistic Leader”
Volume 3 1909
1910:
Negro Life in the South (1911 Edition) (1915 Edition)
1911:
Introducing Men to Christ (1915 Edition)
1912: Present Forces in Negro Progress
1916:
Christian Life, a Normal Experience (1917 Edition) (1919 Edition)
1916:
Personal Elements in Religious Life
1917:
Report on Law and Order Conference (editor)
1920:
Interracial Cooperation (editor)
1924:
The Negro from Africa to America
1932:
Survey of Negro Boy in Nashville (editor)
1934:
Survey of Negro Boy Life in Nashville, TN (editor)
1934:
Race Relations (co-author with Charles S Johnson)
1935:
Life Sketch of James Brownson Dunwoody DeBow
1948:
Analytical index of DeBows Review
1955:
Pioneers of Destiny
1957:
American Churches and the Negro
1962:
Life and Religion in Southern Appalachia (co-authored with Earl DC Brewer)
1962:
Studies in Christian Experience
1962:
The Southern Appalachian Region: A Survey (editor – co-editor with Thomas R
Ford)
[AU1]1887 “Johnston Tract” land to be
auctioned
August 25, 1887 Asheville Citizen: “Real Estate Sale. A tract of Mountain Land…” classified notice. 892 acres in Black Mountain (this would later be part of the first tract of Blue Ridge property)
[AU3]1902 YMCA Southern Student Conference
and 1902 YWCA Southern Student Conference
June 13, 1902 Asheville Citizen: “The ninth annual Summer Students’ Conference of YMCAs opens here today and will continue in session for 8 days. About 200 delegates are expected to be in attendance. The session will be held at the Asheville School…” The article mentions “the great Student Volunteer convention which was held in Toronto” and time each day being given the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mission. The last paragraph states: “The YWCA of the Southern states convenes here tomorrow…in the chapel at the Normal and Collegiate Institute…” (Note: Weatherford not mentioned, the 1902 YMCA conference was before he become Southern Student Secretary; article does not mention current secretary / conference director)
June 21, 1902 Asheville Daily Gazette: runs list of people attending the 1902 YMCA Southern Student Conference. Weatherford is listed under “List of Secretaries, Speakers, and City Association Delegates”
June 24, 1902 Asheville Citizen runs separate articles about the ending of the YMCA and YWCA conferences. The YMCA article mentions HP Anderson “in charge of the conference.” The YWCA article mentions “Miss Price, who has lead the conference…”
[AU4]1903 YMCA Southern Student Conference
June 19, 1903 Nashville American: “250 men, representing the leading institutions of learning in the South are present at the South YMCA Conference, which in session at the Asheville School” “WD Weatherford is the secretary of the conference…”
[AU5]1904 YMCA Southern Student Conference
May 29, 1904 Morning Post (Raleigh NC): Article about the 1904 Southern Student YMCA Conference “to be held at Waynesville NC, June 10-19” “The conference delegates will be entertained at the Haywood White Sulphur Springs, special rates having been secured for delegates…”
[AU6] 1904: Montreat offered to Weatherford /
YMCA:
According to the book “Montreat – Postcard History Series”: “The Montreat property was offered to Willis D Weatherford for the founding of a home for the YMCA around 1904. The offer was declined as Weatherford felt that Montreat would provide too many distractions to the young men coming for study and reflections since 30 (privately owned) homes had already been built in the community.” The Presbyterian Church would purchase the Montreat property in 1906. Montreat would be used for several YMCA conferences until Blue Ridge opened.
[AU7]1905 YMCA Southern Student Conference
and 1905 YWCA Southern Student Conference
May 7, 1905 Atlanta Constitution: article about the YMCA Southern Student Conference meeting at the Asheville School July 17-25. “This will be the twelfth annual session of the Southern Student Conference held in and near Asheville…” The YWCA conference will be June 10-19 at the Normal and Collegiate Institute at Asheville. The article notes: “The conferences coming together make it possible to have present the most eminent speakers to college students in America…”
June 11, 1905 Morning Post (Raleigh NC): article about the YMCA Student Conference states it is at Kenilworth Inn (Asheville). (This same article appears in multiple newspapers.)
[AU8]1906 Carolina YMCAs Interstate
Convention
March 9, 1906 Asheville Citizen: article about local delegates attending the third annual Interstate Convention in Charleston SC on March 23-26.
March 23, 1906 Albuquerque Citizen (Albuquerque NM): article about the Carolina Interstate Convention. Weatherford is listed in the attendees. (Same article runs in multiple papers.)
[AU9]1906 YMCA Southern Student Conference
June 16, 1906 Asheville Citizen: “The initial meeting of the Southern YMCA Students’ Conference last night at the Farm School with 200 delegates in attendance…” The article mentions Weatherford and IM Harper as being “in immediate charge of work…” (Article does not mention YWCA.)
[AU10]October – December 1906 Weather Reports
Weather-1906: Daily Record of Climatological Observations from two Asheville stations, four Nashville area stations, and one Atlanta area station.
[AU11]October 4, 1906 Weatherford visits
University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
October 6, 1906 Red and Black: Weatherford’s visit is mentioned in two locations in the newspaper.
[AU12]October 8-9, 1906 Weatherford visits
Millsaps College (Jackson, MS).
October 14, 1906 Clarion Ledger: brief article under Millsaps College Notes about Weatherford’s visit.
[AU13]1906 Montreat tries for the 1907 YMCA
Southern Student Conference
November 28, 1906 Charlotte News: article following a meeting between the Montreat Association and the YMCA: “…confer with members of the Southern Student Conference of the YMCA and with others of the Montreat Association regarding the holding of the Student Conference at Montreat next June (1907). The YMCA body has taken the matter under serious consideration.” Details of construction, new buildings, and improvements are included in the article. At the meeting were Weatherford, AL Phillips, FC Abbott, and others. The YPMM was also mentioned. (NOTE: The 1907 YMCA Conference was at the Farm School. The 1908-1911 YMCA Conferences would be at Montreat.)
[AU14]January 17-20, 1907 College YMCA
Convention in Gainesville, FL
December 18, 1906 Pensacola News Journal: article announcing the upcoming College YMCA Convention in Gainesville FL, January 17-20, 1907. Weatherford is listed as a speaker.
[AU15] 1907: Weatherford as named
“Executive Secretary / Director of Blue Ridge”:
January 1907 newspaper reports of the organizational meeting state Weatherford “presided” over the meeting. In articles he uses the title “international secretary of the YMCA” (or similar) (the position he holds with the YMCA), sometimes is referred to as the “one leading the charge” (usually listed with others), or “conference director” (specifically of YMCA men’s conference). It does not appear he is referred to as Blue Ridge Executive Secretary until May 31, 1916 Twin City Daily Sentinel article: “...WD Weatherford, of Nashville, international secretary of the YMCA and executive secretary of the Blue Ridge Association...”
[AU16]__ Regional Transportation: Black
Mountain Train Service
__ Service Started
__ Service Ended
Train Service offered discount tickets for those attending conferences.
Example schedules:
August 5, 1916 Asheville Citizen: Ad from Southern Railway includes Black Mountain in the schedule
[AU17]1907 Carolina YMCAs Interstate
Convention
March 5, 1907 Charlotte News: article about the fourth annual Convention in Wilmington NC, March 22-24.
March 23, 1907 Morning Star (Wilmington NC): article about the Convention. Weatherford missed the train and missed his scheduled speaking time.
[AU18]1907 YMCA Southern Student Conference
and 1907 YWCA Southern Student Conference
June 14, 1907 Ashville Citizen runs articles about the YMCA and YMCA conferences being held at the same time in Asheville. The YWCA conference is at the Kenilworth Inn and the YMCA conference is at the Farm School.
[AU19]April 1908 Inter-racial meeting in
Atlanta
Preface of Weatherford’s 1910 “Negro Life in the South” book: “During the month of April 1908, a company of seven men, four negroes and three white men, came together in the City of Atlanta to discuss the present race question, with special reference to what the college men of the South might do to better conditions…”
[AU20]1908 YMCA Southern Student Conference
June 17, 1908 Charlotte Observer: “The fourteenth annual session of the Southern Student Conference of the YMCA opened Monday night at Montreat…” “Delegates are in the Montreat hotels and the sessions of the conference are held in the church just opposite the hotels…”
[AU21]
1908: Early Use?
August 7, 1908 Charlotte
News article on conferences in Black Mountain highlights the YMCA conference
and the upcoming new conference grounds. The article states: “already the YMCA
has had encampments there and delightful conferences” (unclear to the location
being referenced). “It is hoped by another year to begin permanent buildings.
These would include at first dormitories, an auditorium and Dining hall at a
cost from $30,000 to $50,000.” Article mentions YMCA, YWCA, and YPMM.
[AU22]1908: Blue Ridge Property Survey
August 7, 1908 Charlotte
News article about conference in Black Mountain mentions: “The survey of the
Blue Ridge Association tract of 1,000 acres near Black Mountain is in progress
this week. The work is being done by Mr. Holmes Blair, of this city (Charlotte
NC), an engineer of the highest talent and training. He has been assisted by
Messrs. Wallace and Theodore Abbott, of Charlotte, in laying off the grounds.”
[AU23]June 18, 1909 Blue Ridge Land
Transaction – Board Meeting at Montreat
Approves two Deeds of Trust (both dated February 26, 1910) for a total of $4000: 1910-02-26-1910324-Bk0078Pg0388 (“Johnston Tract”) and 1910-02-26-1910324-Bk0078Pg0392 (“65 acres”). Both Deeds of Trust have “satisfaction” notes dated September 2, 1911. (Note: This meeting was during the 1909 YMCA Southern Student Conference at Montreat)
[AU24]1909 YMCA Southern Student Conference
June 24, 1909 Christian Advocate: article about the 1909 YMCA conference at Montreat. “The limited capacity of the hotels to shelter the crowd is supplemented by the use of some 25 army tents, in which many lusty students delight to dwell…”
[AU25]1910 YMCA Southern Student Conference
April 19, 1910 Asheville Citizen, brief article announcing the YMCA Southern Student Conference will be at Montreat June 17-26.
May 30, 1910 Asheville Gazette News: Runs article about upcoming Southern Student Conference of the YMCA, June 17-26 at Montreat. The article mentions: “John R Mott, WD Weatherford, and WE Willis compose the executive secretaries in charge of this conference.” The list of speakers includes AL Phillips.
[AU26]1910 Blue Ridge “Brown Memorial Field”
April 25, 1909 Nashville
Tennessean and April 29,1909 Raleigh Christian Advocate articles identify the University of Mississippi gift: “Recently $1000
has been received from the students of the University of Mississippi, given as
a memorial to their student secretary, J Arthur Brown, who died in active
service…”
June 5, 1910 Nashville Tennessean: in article with other donations, included is a
donation from University of Mississippi $500 for field to be called “Brown
Memorial Field”
(Note:
no field was named after Brown.)
[AU27]1910 Property Taxes Due
August 16, 1910 Asheville Gazette News, August 30, 1910 Asheville Gazette News, and September 6, 1910 Asheville Gazette News run listings of properties to be sold for 1909 back real estate taxes. Two listings under Black Mountain for WD Weatherford – one for 71 acres and one for 67 acres. The public sale is scheduled for September 19, 1910.
(no other articles about sale)
[AU28]1911 Carolina YMCAs Interstate
Convention and Interstate Committee
January 11, 1911 Greenville News: article about the Interstate Committee meeting in Greenville. This meeting is number 3 of 5 for the Committee (Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Columbia, Charleston).
January 13, 1911 Raleigh Times: article about the “…eighth annual interstate convention of the Carolina YMCA…” To be held in Raleigh, January 26-29, 1911.
[AU29]1911 YMCA Southern Student Conference
and 1911 YWCA Southern Student Conference
June 13, 1911 Asheville Citizen: article about the YWCA Conference being held on the campus of the Normal and Collegiate Institute.
June 13, 1911 Charlotte Observer: brief article about speakers at the YWCA conference. Welthy B Honsinger spoke about missionary work in China and Weatherford spoke of Blue Ridge and the Rockefeller’s donation.
June 18, 1911 Sunday Citizen: article about the second day of the “19th annual Southern Students’ Conference of the YMCA”. The article does not name the location, but the byline is “Montreat”. (Other articles identify the location as Montreat.) A separate article the same page report the YWCA conference coming to a close, but does not give the location.
[AU30]1912: YPMM renamed Missionary Education
Movement
January 10, 1912 Presbyterian: in article about the upcoming conference at Blue Ridge, it is announced “…the conference of the ‘Young People’s Missionary Movement,’ whose name has been changed to the ‘Missionary Education Movement’…”
[AU31] 1912: Early Promotion and Additional
Conferences:
February 14, 1912 Chicago Tribune article announces plans for the first world conference of the YMCA Boys’ Workers for May 10-24, 1913 (same announcement in a different paper had a typo of May 1912). Appears Blue Ridge was promoting itself early 1912 and trying to get conferences outside of the first Student YWCA, YMCA, and YPMM conferences. No subsequent articles of this conference happening at Blue Ridge in 1913 (another paper mentions it in a different location). Blue Ridge did host this conference in 1920.
[AU32]May 24 – June 2, 1912 First conference
at Kings Mountain
May 27, 1912 Charlotte Observer: “The first student conference of colored YMCA is now in session in the chapel of Lincoln Academy at Kings Mountain, having convened last Friday night for a 10 days meeting…” Weatherford is listed as one of the speakers.
KingsMountain-1912-1913: Conference pamphlets. 1912 pamphlet written after the 1912 conference, provides summary of conference; 1913 pamphlet written promoting the upcoming 1913 conference
[AU33]1912 Summer Staff:
May 28, 1912 Asheville
Gazette News article: “One of the unique features in the running of the
place will be that all the work necessary, except the cooking, will be done by
college girls who have been interested in YWCA affairs during their college
careers.” “The men in charge of the building for the summer are either YMCA
secretaries or men actively engaged in some line of association work. RH Legate
(Roy H), secretary of the association at Vanderbilt university, will be in
charge of the Dining room and supplies.” The article also mentions “Mr.
Berghold is in the city today buying supplies for the opening…” Note: In the June 23, 1912 Sunday
Citizen, a full-page ad runs for Blue Ridge. Roy H Legate is listed as the
contact for reservations. Subsequent ads list Legate as manager. In 1913 Legate
is becomes the first Blue Ridge Postmaster. “Roy” becomes
“Ray” in later newspaper ads and articles.
August 2, 1912 Charlotte
Daily Observer articles states that DL Probert, general secretary of the
local (Charlotte) YMCA, is returning after serving as register for several
conferences at BR
July 5, 1931 Asheville
Citizen Times article on the 25th Anniversary (from 1906
date), includes details on Blue Ridge history and the struggles of recruiting
the first staff of 1912.
[AU34]1912 FC Abbott elected Blue Ridge
Secretary-Treasurer
June 26, 1912 Evening Chronicle (Charlotte NC): runs article announcing FC Abbott was “just elected secretary and treasurer of Blue Ridge Association...” (Abbott would continue as treasurer until the re-organization in 1933. Abbott Hall would be named after him.)
[AU35]1912 Kitchen Fire:
POP Book mentions kitchen fire during the 1912 conferences, but no newspaper articles found about file.
The issue of the $30,000 1913 Bonds mentions “recent fire”. November 1912 Asheville Citizen article about forest fire on Blue Ridge grounds.
[AU36]1913 Interstate YMCA meeting
December 4, 1912 Salisbury Evening Post article about the upcoming “Tenth Annual Interstate Convention.” It will be held January 24-26, 1913 at Greensboro.
[AU37]1913 Summer Staff:
June 4, 1913 Asheville Citizen article: “Over 75 students from the different female colleges have already arrived and will remain at the hotel during the summer to act as waitresses and maids.”
[AU38]
May 1913 Additional Conferences –
“World Conference”:
February 14, 1912 Chicago Tribune article states the World Conference of YMCA Boys’ Workers was supposed to be held at BR May 10-24, 1913 – why is this conference not on the 1913 schedules? Why was it moved to a different location (also see note in February 1912).
[AU39]1913 “Songs of Southern Colleges and Old
Southern Melodies” book
Songs-1913: Songbook published by the Southern Student Secretaries of the YMCA, copyright WD Weatherford includes “Conference Song 1913” (pg 78). The song mentions Lambuth, Brown, Poteat, Weatherford, Bovard, Roe, Taylor, and Speer.
[AU40]1913 Blue Ridge Cottages:
June 8, 1913 Sunday Citizen: In an article about the YWCA Conference, it mentions the overcrowding, use of tents, and: “Several cottages, not yet completed, were pressed into service.”
July 11, 1913 Charlotte Observer: In article about YWCA Conference, it mentions: “…In addition to accommodations in the hall (Robert E Lee Hall) and the tents, two outside cottages have been built by local associations, one by the Agnes Scott Association…” The second cottage is not identified in the article.
[AU41] 1914 Blue Ridge Cottages:
May 298, 1914 University of Georgia Red and Black article: "The University of
Georgia delegation to the Blue Ridge Conference will occupy the private cottage
owned by the Agnes Scott girls. A lette infrming us that our request for this
cottage has been granted was received from the Nashville office a few days
ago...This cottage was constructed by the Agnes Scott girles for use of their
delegation to the YWCA Conference. It is situated just at the foot of High
Top...and by the side of the mountain stream..."
September 24, 1914 University of North Carolina Tar Heel article states that UNC is being asked
to “contribute three tenths of one percent toward a $200,000 plant” and to
build a Carolina Cottage: “The State Normal and the University (UNC) are asked
to contribute $1100 to erect a cottage…” The article also states that Queens
College at Charlotte says they can raise $1000. A separate article about the
cottage explains: “Last year 11 states sent representatives amounting to a
total number of 2100 students…The great difficulty now at Black Mountain is the
lack of sufficient buildings to accommodate the representatives that each year
go there. To remedy this condition the Southern Colleges have taken it upon
themselves to unite two together and build cottages…” The article mentions
Washington and Lee – Randolph-Macon, Queens-Davison, and State Normal-UNC.
October 23, 1914 Yorkville
Enquirer article
states that Winthrop has completed a fundraiser which some of the funds will
“provide half-share in in a cottage on the Blue Ridge Association grounds at
Blue Ridge, NC. The students expect the cottage to be ready to receive the
Winthrop delegation at Blue Ridge in June.”
October 1914 Wake
Forest Student
on page 290 during a Weatherford visit to the college he stated “…The students
of Meredith and Wake Forest have subscribed conjointly the sum of $1000 for the
purpose of erecting a cottage at the training school. The cottage will be large
enough to accommodate all the delegates we may wish to send…” ;on page 606:
“Arrangements were made for the reminder of the mondy ($160) to finish the Wake
Forest-Meredith Cottage at Blue Ridge. The cottage will be ready for use this
summer."
November 4, 1914 University of Georgia Red and Black, in the YMCA Notes section
mentions: "...the Association is raising funds for building a Georgia
cottage..." "...15 colleges and universities of the South will build
cottages at the Summer YMCA conference during the year..."
November 1914 North
American Student (PDF page 112): Guilford College NC has "recently raised $200 for
the Blue Ridge Association"
[AU42] 1914 Summer Staff:
October 1914 North
American Student (PDF page 57): “The women students employed at the Blue
Ridge NC conference grounds during the summer, conducted Bible class for the
men and women Negro helpers. In addition these students planned meetings each
Sunday and also led the colored people in learning and singing their own songs”
[AU43]1915 Progressive Farmer article
January 30, 1915 Progressive Farmer: highly racial and critical article of racial equality and Weatherford. (Similar articles appear in other papers.)
[AU44]1915 Another Rockefeller Gift:
February 23, 1915 Winston Salem Journal newspaper listing Rockefeller Foundation 1914 gifts: “October 21, 1914: Blue Ridge Association as a contribution toward a total of $3,000 to meet expense of maintaining Social Service Summer School of the Association, payment to be made as follows: $1500 the coming summer; $1000 the next summer, and $500 the third summer; upon condition that in each of the said years a further sum shall be collected by the Association in cash sufficient with this gift to equal not less than $3,000.” This gift is also listed in the 1916 Rockefeller Foundation Annual Report (page 356).
[AU45]1915 Dr. AL Phillips Dies.
March 3, 1915 Staunton Daily Leader.
Dr. AL Phillips (1859-1915) dies. (AL Phillips is part of the 1906 Eureka story with Weatherford).
[AU46] 1915 Blue Ridge
Cottages:
January 1915 University of North Carolina The Alumni Review (page 111 of PDF): “Carolina and
the State Normal at Greensboro have pledged themselves jointly to build a
cottage on the Blue Ridge Conference grounds.”
January 1915, North
American Student: (page 206 of PDF) Update from Winthrop Normal and Industrial College,
Rock Hill, SC: “Early in October we undertook a campaign for $1200, $700 of
which went to a foreign secretaryship and $500 of which gave us a half share in
a cottage at Blue Ridge”
January
23, 1915 Durham Morning Harald
runs one paragraph about the Trinity YMCA and YWCA raising funds to build a
cottage. Future Article: March
10, 1917 Greensboro Daily News
article states that Trinity has abandoned the plan for a cottage because of
difficulty collecting the pledged money. Trinity had originally wanted to
partner with Greensboro College for Women, but they rejected the plan. The 1917
article mentions Wake Forest-Meredith, University of North Carolina-State
Normal and Industrial College agreements.
February 1915 North
American Student: (page 257 of PDF) Unnamed College: “A state A&M college in the South
has recently not only raised their part of the money necessary for a missionary
on the field, and raised a god sum for Belgian relief, but has subscribed $500
for a cottage at the Blue Ridge Association grounds.” / (further down on page
257 of PDF) Unnamed College: “A small college of 210 students in the South has
recently subscribed $865 to keep a former student in a tuberculosis sanatorium
for the year; $500 for a Blue Ridge cottage, and a good amount for mission
funds. In addition they have sent $400 for Belgian relief”
May 5, 1915 Davidson College The Davidsonian: brief article on page 5, "Work has started on the construction of
the Davidson-Queens cottage at Blue Ridge and it will be completed in time for
the YMCA Conference June 12-21..."
October 13, 1915 Presbyterian: Update from Randolph-Macon
Woman's College: "The Committee of the YWCA are activally at work in the
interest of the Randolph-Macon Cottage recently erected on the Blue Ridge
Conference grounds..."
[AU47] 1915 Missionary Education Movement “Part-Owner”:
June 2, 1915 Presbyterian: In an article about the Young
People’s Missionary Movement conference, it states “The Missionary Education
Movement is now part owner of the Blue Ridge Association plant….”
[AU48]1915 Charges Dropped in Post Office
Robbery
July 15, 1915 Asheville Gazette News article: “At a preliminary hearing of AM Watson of Blue Ridge NC, charged with robbery of a store and postoffice at Blue Ridge October 2, 1914, United States Commissioner TD Shelton yesterday discharged the defendant from custody.” (No newspaper articles found from October 1914 about the robbery or arrest.)
[AU49]1916 Regional Transportation:
Asheville-Black Mountain Trolley Service
February 25, 1916 Asheville Citizen: Article about establishing an electric trolley service between Asheville and Black Mountain. The article mentions Black Mountain “Great Music Festival” and similar proposal in 1907. (Note: Electric trolley service never materializes.)
[AU50] 1916 YMCA War Effort:
Canteen Service in France turned over to the Y (more info needed)
February 11, 1919 Greensboro Daily News: In an article about canteen service during the war, Weatherford explains and addresses some of the criticisms and bad reports.
[AU51]
1916 Additional Conferences
March 26, 1916 News and Observer article about Southern Student Conf (June 16) mentions “sub-conferences”
[AU52] 1916 Blue Ridge Cottage:
May 6, 1916 Wake Forest NC Old Gold and Black: "Our Blue Ridge Cottage: There is not a cottage at Blue Ridge more desirable than the one shown above (article includes photo of cottage), which is jointly owned by the Wake Forest WMCA and Meredith YWCA. It is a handsome two story house with electric light and hold-and-cold water supply..." Description includes: 3 sleeping rooms upstairs, fireplace, 5 sleeping rooms and bathroom downstairs, full length porch, accommodates 20.
May 6, 1916 University of North Carolina The Tar Heel: article mentions the "State Normal-Carolina Cottage". The article states that "18 men already signed up for Blue Ridge and the cottae can hold a few more..."
May 19, 1915 Clemson Cottage The Tiger: runs a photo of the Clemson-Winthrop Cottage at Blue Ridge.
[AU53]April 26, 1916 Blue Ridge Board – John A
Patten dies (Patten was the first president of Blue Ridge when it was
incorporated in 1907)
April 27, 1916 Chicago Tribune
[AU54] 1916 “Weatherford Spring”:
May 19, 1916 Clemson College The Tiger runs a photo of “Weatherford Spring” “From the beautiful mountain
springs and streams Blue Ridge gets her pure sparkling water."
July 1927 Blue Ridge Voice Daily Bulletin: Mention of “Weatherford Spring”
in July 21, 1927 edition.
[AU56] 1917 Blue Ridge Cottages:
March 27, 1917 University of South Carolina Gamecock: “The 11 cottages have been erected by the
different colleges and universities. Clemson College and Winthrop have gone in
together and built a cottage…Converse College is now challenging the University
of South Carolina to raise half the amount for putting up a Converse-Carolina
cottage…Besides the cottages there are tents that are well furnished and
provide electric lights.”
March 27, 1917 University of Florida The Florida Alligator: runs of a photo of
a cottage with this caption: “The picture shown above is a very good idea of
the Florida Cottage at Blue Ridge Conference as it is planned by the YMCA of UF
and FWC respectively. Our cottage will have more porch than the one in the
photograph, but otherwise the two will be identical…” (The cottage in the photo
is not identified.)
April 21, 1917 Florida State The Florida Flambeau: “It is of interest to friends of Blue
Ridge that final arrangements have been made for the erection of two other
college cottages. One cottage is being built by the YWCA of the State Women’s
College of Florida (Florida State) the YMCA of University of Florida...” (The
other cottage is not named). “Last year the Winthrop College had 29 delegates
which filled the Winthrop-Clemson Cottage full to the doors. Converse Cottage
has just sent in a check for $500 and the University of Virginia has joined
them in order they may have a cottage at Blue Ridge.”
June 1, 1918 Florida State The Florida Flambeau: “The Florida Cottage, belonging to us
(Florida State YWCA) and our brothers of the University (Univ of Florida YMCA),
came into existence a year ago, receiving 13 Florida State College’s daughters
at the conference last summer…”
June 25, 1917 Charlotte
Observer article about the YMCA
Student Conference states: “Eleven delightfully modern cottages and Robert E
Lee Hall will have open doors…”
[AU57]1918 Regional Transportation: Orange
Star Auto Line (Asheville)
March 30, 1918 Asheville Citizen: Orange Star run ad with list of stops, including Blue Ridge. Note: first Orange Star ad appears in early March 1918. Orange Star runs almost daily ads in the Asheville newspapers. Orange Star was sued in April 1919. Scott Dillingham (used car dealer) purchased all the company stock in September 1919 and ran ads to sell the assets. After September 1919, no mention of Orange Star again in the newspaper.
[AU58]1918 Blue Ridge Cottages
October 24, 1918 Rockingham
Post Dispatch: Prints a letter from ZV Roberson after he attended the
YMCA War Work School. In the letter he mentions: “…At first we were quartered
in ‘Shorter-University of GA’ (cottage) then after the ‘flu’ attacked me we
were moved to the cottage named ‘Ward-Belmont’.”
1918 Hollins College Student Handbook: Under YWCA
Activities is listed Blue Ridge Conference: “Hollins has now a lovely cottage
with Richmond Medical, beautifully located on the side of the mountain…” In the
1920 Hollins College Student Handbook, it changes to:
“Hollins has now a lovely cottage with Virginia Medical College, beautifully
located on the side of the mountain…”
[AU59]1919 Blue Ridge Post Office
January 18, 1919 Winston Salem Journal: brief article about LM Morgan being killed in an auto accident (drowned in a creek). He was delivering mail from Black Mountain to Blue Ridge.
January 19, 1919 Sunday Citizen: article about funeral services for LM Morgan.
[AU60]1919 Blue Ridge Staff (HW Sanders and JJ
King):
1919 HW Sanders starts at Blue Ridge. His starting year is mentioned in the May 14, 1953 Asheville Citizen (article announcing his retirement).
1919 JJ King starts at Blue Ridge. Announcement is in the March 18, 1919 News and Observer. He resigns as secretary of the State College YMCA to join Blue Ridge.
August 23, 1920 Asheville Citizen lists Weatherford, Sanders, and King attending the funeral services for the mother of JP Parker. August 23, 1920 Charlotte Observer runs announcement of the death of Deborah A Parker (mother of JP Parker). Article includes “…James P Parker, is well-known to many Charlotteans who attend Blue Ridge, as he holds an important position with the management of Blue Ridge, having supervision of the entire plant (buildings and grounds) the year round…”
[AU61]1919 Inter-racial Post-War Conference in
Atlanta GA
March 5, 1919 Trench and Camp (Camp Shelby, MS) and March 7, 1919 Southern Star (Dothan, AL) run almost identical articles about an inter-racial meeting held in Atlanta for post-war race relations. Both articles mention “…similar to the educational establishment maintained by the Young Men’s Christian Association at Blue Ridge NC…”
[AU62]1919 Post-War Conferences at Gammon Theological
Seminary-Clark University
April 20, 1919 Atlanta Constitution: article at the post-war schools at Gammon Theological Seminary, “515 representative colored men from southeastern states…attended the schools…” “The program followed in the meetings was largely identical with the program mapped out for and followed by the Blue Ridge community school for whites…”
[AU63]1919 Blue Ridge Summer Staff
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 1 number 6, April 1920:
Includes
photo of 1919 Blue Ridge summer staff and article about the staff.
[AU64]1919 Missionary Education Movement
Conference – change in parent organization:
June 18, 1919 Asheville Citizen: In an article about the conference: “Interchurch World Movement of North America at its southern conference at Blue Ridge…” “The former personnel of the missionary education movement will be largely in charge of the study program…This organization has given up to the large co-operative agencies all facilities for conferences it conducted in past summers. In like fashion, the layman’s missionary movement has turned over the services of its forces to strengthen this and the six similar meetings being held this summer in other parts of the country. The combining of these influences gives the study conferences a strength far past those of other years.”
June 20, 1919 Winston Salem Journal (Winston Salem SC) article about the upcoming Interchurch World Movement of North America conference and record attendance.
June 7, 1920 Atlanta Constitution: In an article about upcoming Missionary Education Movement conference: “Much interest is being manifested by the women of the local churches in the prominent part to be played by women in the forthcoming missionary educational conference to be held at Blue Ridge, NC…” “The Blue Ridge conference has been conducted annually and until last year was under the auspices of the missionary education movement. It has been taken over this year by the Interchurch World Movement…”
[AU65]July 17, 1919 Inter-racial Conference at
Blue Ridge
Reported in EBurro1954 – but no newspaper articles can be found about a conference with this date. EBurro1954 footnote “Minutes of Inter-Racial Conference” in historical records. (Held at same time as June 1919 Southern Student Conference??)
[AU66]1919 Kings Mountain Conference:
June 28, 1919 New York Age: article about the seventh annual Negro Student YMCA Conference at Kings Mountain.
[AU67]1920 Blue Ridge Cottages:
February 26, 1920 Charlotte Observer: Building of the “Colored Speakers’ Cottage”. “Dr. Morton of Tuskegee is booked as one of the first occupants of the cottage and one of the first speakers”. (article contains racial language and tone)
1920 Medical College of Virginia The X-Ray (annual): On page 155 mentions: “The College YMCA, through its members and friends, owns a beautiful cottage at Blue Ridge, NC at which place is located the home of the Southern College Blue Ridge Association.”
[AU68]1920 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
July 31, 1920 Asheville
Citizen article states “A staff of 143 college men and women is employed during
the summer to do the wok in the big halls and the cottages”
[AU69]1920 Commission on Inter-racial
Cooperation
March 12, 1920 Dallas Express: “The Commission on Inter-racial Cooperation is an outgrowth of a conference which was held in Atlanta in 1919…” “Publications of the Commission include…’An Appeal to Christian People of the South’ adopted by the recent Church Leaders’ Conference at Blue Ridge NC…” (need to define “recent”)
[AU70]1920 Blue Ridge Promotional Films
June 23, 1920 Montgomery Advertiser: brief article: “A Blue Ridge conference film, setting forth in detail the great conference to be held at Blue Ridge NC, July 23 has been received in the city by the local YWCA workers and will be shown at various picture houses in the near future.”
[AU71]1921: Charles William Kent Memorial Bust
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 2 number 5, February 1921: Includes articles about Dr. Charles William Kent of the University of Virginia. Kent also severed on the Blue Ridge Executive Committee. His wife donated a bust which is in Lee Hall.
[AU72]1921 Regional Transportation: Red Bus
Line
June 19, 1921 Sunday Citizen: brief announcement that Red Bus Line will start running Asheville-Black Mountain routes. “With the announcement of the asphalt road it is expected that the bus line will have a steady business.”
March 22, 1922 Asheville Citizen: In an article about the Black Mountain area, it mentions: “The Red Bus Line, operating regular schedules from Black Mountain to Asheville, plans to construct in time for the summer trade a large concrete garage, 40 x 140 feet, on Sutton Avenue, combining with it a waiting room along attractive lines.”
[AU74]1921 Blue Ridge Summer Staff
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 3 number 9, June
1922:
Includes a photo
of the 1921 Blue Ridge Staff and brief article about recruiting staff for 1922.
[AU75]1921 Rotary Club – temporary club at
Blue Ridge
August 15, 1921 Asheville Citizen: brief article about a temporary Rotary Club forming at Blue Ridge for those club members who are away from their home clubs.
[AU76] 1921 Blue Ridge Cottages:
August 18, 1921 Roanoke News article includes narrative of hiking above Lee Hall. The article includes: “…At one place the trail opens up into what is called ‘Brown’s Pasture’,…another opening we found an orchard of young apple trees,…along another of these trails we found the Ernest Thompson Seaton cottage, built of split logs, a chimney at one end, an opening for a door, a paneless window and equipped with sleeping accommodations for eight people. This is located in the dead mountain forest just above RE Lee hall. Not far from this is a circular opening about 20 feet in diameter with railed seats around the entire circumference…”
October 1, 1921 Salam College The Salemite: runs two articles mentioning cottages at Blue
Ridge. The first article mentions the Salem Girls stayed in the “Florida State
Cottage”. In the second article about upcoming goals: “…Our goal: a delegation
of 30 girls at Blue Ridge for the YWCA summer conference in June, with a
cottage all our own…”
[AU77]1922 Blue Ridge Cottages
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 3 number 7, April1922:
Includes photos of the Auburn-Brenau Cottage and RM-WL Cottage and “There are sixteen such cottages on the Blue Ridge grounds jointly owned by some 30 different men and women’s colleges.
[AU78]
1922 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
May 31, 1922 Asheville Citizen article about season opening: “The following members of the main staff and in the interest of Blue Ridge Association for Christian Conference and Training have arrived on the grounds: Dr. WD Weatherford, JJ King, manager, HW Sanders and WP Cunningham” (No mention of James P Parker who is listed as the Postmaster in 1922).
[AU79]1922 Restraining order issued:
June 9, 1922 Asheville Citizen: JJ King, business manager of Blue Ridge, seeks restraining order against three individuals. No reason is given in article.
[AU80]1923 Blue Ridge Summer Staff
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 5 number 2 November 1923 includes a photo of the 1923 staff with an article.
[AU81]1923 Interracial Conference at Lake
Junaluska
July 1, 1923 Sunday Citizen: article about interracial conference at Lake Junaluska. Speakers include: Dr. Will W Alexander from the Inter-Racial Commission, Mrs. Booker T Washington from Tuskegee; Channing H Tobias, and others. (Weatherford or Blue Ridge not mentioned).
[AU82]1923 Southern YMCA College Song
August 26, 1923 Sunday Citizen: “’Southern College Song’ is the name of the a recent production from the pen of Dr. WD Weatherford, president of the Southern College of the YMCA, Nashville and of the Blue Ridge Association. Original music has been set to the words by Mrs. EB Ashford of Nashville…” The article includes the words to the song.
February 4, 1926 Nashville Tennessean: In an article were Weatherford announced the Southern YMCA College building will be ready in 18 months, it mentions “At the close of the program the student body sang ‘Southern College Song,’ the music of which was written by Mrs. EL Ashford, Nashville composer”
[AU83]1924 Blue Ridge Summer Staff
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 6 number 8, May 1925 includes article about the 1924 summer staff (no group photo).
[AU84]1924 Blue Ridge Cottages:
May 23, 1924 Meredith College The Twig: the Meredith College cottage is “one of the prettiest… located rather high up against a mountain with a path leading to High Top separating it from NCCW’s cottage… seven bedrooms with two beds each, a sleeping porch which will accommodate six or eight beds, a living room, and two bathrooms.”
May 1, 1925 University of South Carolina The Gamecock article about the
previous summer conference (1924), when the group arrived at Blue Ridge “…they
had been assigned to the Ward Belmont cottage for the period of the
conference…”
[AU85]February 1925: Weatherford requests
Western Union telegraph service
WesternUnion-1925-02: Weatherford writes to Western Union requesting to establish telegraph service at Blue Ridge.
[AU86]March-April 1925: Weatherford mentions
resigning:
1925 March and April Letters between Abbott and Weatherford: In a series of letters, Weatherford mentions resigning from Blue Ridge because of differences with the Board. (1925-03-27 Weatherford to Abbott): “If the Board at any time feels that somebody else can do this job better than I am doing it, you know quite well that I am ready to step down and out.” “…At the same time I want the confidence of the Blue Ridge Board in this think I am trying to do, and I lose that, of course I would immediately withdraw.”
[AU87]1925: Blue Ridge grounds aerial photo
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 6 number 7, April 1925: Includes two page spread of aerial photo of Blue Ridge grounds. Includes Lee Hall with covered walkway to College Hall, Leaders’ Building (Abbott Hall), poll by Lee hall, original gym and sand lot, Dining Hall behind Lee Hall, Martha Washington Hall, small buildings behind the Dining Hall, scattered cottages. Same photo is used for postcards and in other Blue Ridge publications.
[AU88] 1926
Blue Ridge Cottages:
May 18, 1926 Clemson College The Tiger: Brief article on the Winthrop-Clemson Cottage “The neat
little cottage occupied by the Winthrop delegation during the YWCA and by the
Clemson delegation during the YMCA conferences is indeed one of the coziest
little cottages to be bound in the hills of North Carolina. It is almost within
calling distance of Lee hall and the dining room but completely hidden from view
by beautiful trees and shrubs. A small brook babbles nearby…”
[AU89]1925 Blue Ridge Leaders School
August 30, 1925 Atlanta Constitution: Ira C Matheny leaves the Atlanta YMCA for the Richmond YMCA. Among the positions/activities listed in the article: “…dean of the Leaders’ school of the Southern YMCA Summer school…”
September 2, 1925 Daily Press (Newport News, VA): article about Ira C Matheny coming to the Richmond YMCA from the Atlanta YMCA. The article states: “..At this time he will quit several posts which are a tribute to his diligent efforts in organization of physical development through various associations not only in Atlanta, but throughout the Southern YMCA organization. He is president of the YMCA Physical Directors’ Society, dean of the Leaders’ school of Southern YMCA…” The article states he was the “organizer of the…Leaders’ school at Blue Ridge YMCA summer school.”
[AU90]1925 Interracial Conference at Blue
Ridge
April 1925 Mountain Life and Work lists the 1925 Blue Ridge conference schedule. The schedule includes “Interracial Conference 7:39pm from July 13 to July 15 with Dr. WW Alexander in charge.” (Note: this is also the last few days of the Community YMCA conference – July 6-15; no newspaper articles found about the Interracial Conference)
[AU91]1926 Florida YMCA plans camp near Black
Mountain NC
April 22, 1926 Tampa Tribune: “Plans for the development of the North Carolina summer camp of the Florida YMCA located near Black Mountain will be considered…” The site is 85 acres. (This is not related to Blue Ridge.)
[AU92]1925 Blue Ridge Buildings
September 1, 1925 Electrical Report: The following locations were listed: Lee Hall, Martha Washington, Martha Washington (irons), Kitchen and Dining Hall, Laundry, Laundry (irons), Power House, Lake, Booker T Washington, Booker T Washington (irons), SCY Camp, Gate, Outside Lights, Garage, College Hall, Leaders Building, Library, Gymnasium, Cottages (upper, lower, King’s, Plumbers), Motor (kitchen), Motor (laundry), Motor (elevator)
[AU93]1926 Blue Ridge Leaders School
June 6, 1926 Daily Press (Newport News, VA): In an article about the layoff of Gordon E Lamkin of the Newport News YMCA, the “leaders’ school at Blue Ridge” is mentioned several times.
[AU94]1926 Blue Ridge Summer Staff
Blue Ridge Voice, volume 8 number 5, February 1927: Includes long article and lots of photos, including group photo, of 1926 summer staff.
[AU95]Summer 1926 Weatherford away from Blue
Ridge
1925-1926 Letters Mentioning Mrs. Weatherford’s Health: In a series of letters between Weatherford, Hobbs, and Abbott mainly about Blue Ridge business, the health of Mrs. Weatherford in mentioned. In separate letters in April 1926, Weatherford tells Hobbs and Abbott he must be with Mrs. Weatherford in Denver during the summer months and will absent most of the summer season.
During the summer while Weatherford was away, JJ King and James Parker wrote letters detailing the activities at Blue Ridge.
[AU96]Summer 1926 Race Issues at Blue Ridge
(YWCA, Mordecai Johnson, Conference Photo)
June 19, 1926 King Weatherford letter: While Weatherford was away from Blue Ridge during the summer of 1926, JJ King wrote him often. In his June 19, 1926 letter, King describes two events during the YMCA Conference. The first being when Mordecai W Johnson was seated in the main dining room when he first arrived. The second being when the conference photo was taken.
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue
Ridge includes
reference to the events: “The question of colored fraternal delegates and
speakers came to the fore again this summer in a letter which was written by
Miss. Ruth Scandrett, representing the YWCA, a copy of my answer to her having
been sent to each of you (the Board members). The matter has also been raised
by certain members of the YMCA Conference which bought us definite criticism.
It is my disposition, unless the Board should think otherwise, to have a frank
talk with the leader of the YMCA Student Conference and say to him that we must
expect and insist, that he shall take such steps to obviate these slips, which
subject us to criticism.” In the minutes, number 5: “Attitude on Race Question
at Blue Ridge: Our previous resolutions of 1924 were re-affirmed and a
unanimous vote as passed commending Dr. Weatherford in his attitude and
assuring him of our full support in this matter.”
[AU97]1926 Blue Ridge Buildings
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue Ridge The following locations are mentioned in the 1926
report: bookstore, laundry, lake, farm, gate, gymnasium, pool, Asheville
Building, Tea Room, Lee Hall, kitchen, “rookery” (top floor of Lee Hall),
auditorium in Asheville Building, 5 classrooms in Asheville Building, SYC Camp,
Leaders’ Building renamed Abbott Hall, Florida property (voted down), Martha
Washington Hall, tennis courts, fire line, post office, cottages (repairs in
budget, but not listed by name),
[AU98]1926 Insurance Rating Changed and Challenged
September 6, 1926 Report of WD Weatherford to Blue
Ridge In the 1926
report it mentions a summer guest who worked for Southeastern Underwriters
decided that Blue Ridge should be rated as a hotel and not educational
institution.
1926 Insurance Rating Letters: exchange of letters with Weatherford (and others)
about the insurance rating. Blue Ridge maintained a “school” rating.
[AU99]1926-1931 Lee School for Boys sports
team (football, basketball, baseball), band, Weatherford Literary Society, and
Student Council
Lee School for Boys (sometimes referred to as “Lee School” or “Blue Ridge” in the newspaper – even though other schools had the same name) had several sports teams. Because Lee School for Boys had a small enrollment, many boys played multiple sports. In the newspaper, sports results for the Lee School for Boys teams were very brief.
April 28, 1927 Asheville Citizen: Asheville School beats Lee School 15-5 (baseball)
January 15, 1928 Sunday Citizen: Bingham Military beats Lee School 57-10 (basketball?)
January 9, 1929 Asheville Citizen: brief article about upcoming Lee School basketball team. Includes schedule of January and February games.
January 23, 1930 Atlanta Constitution: brief article about Harry Hopkins being elected president of Weatherford Literary Society and captain of the 1930 football team.
June 1, 1930 Atlanta Constitution: brief article about Harry Hopkins being elected Lee School for Boys Student Council president for 1930-31 school term. Hopkins plays football and basketball. The article also mentions Harry Ellison, who was the baseball team assistant manager.
June 2, 1930 Palm Beach Post: brief article about Billy Gooding graduating from Lee School. He was in the school band and played baseball.
January 25, 1931 Asheville Citizen Times: Christ School beats Lee School 23-22 (basketball)
May 30, 1931 St. Petersburgh Times: brief article Robert Waddell Glendinning graduating from Lee School. He “was a member of the Weatherford Literary Society and on both the football and baseball squads while at the school.”
[AU100]December 22, 1926: Blue Ridge Staff:
Fred Kent dies
December 22, 1926 Asheville Citizen
(Kent was early supporter of Blue Ridge and on the building committee.)
December 24, 1926 Letter from Abbott to Weatherford: Abbott tells Weatherford about Kent’s death and includes newspaper
[AU101]1927 Lee letter found in Lee Hall
March 3, 1925 Herald (Dayton OH): very brief article “a letter purported to have been written by Gen. Robert E Lee has been discovered in Lee Hall school…” (This same article appeared in multiple newspapers, but with no further details.)
[AU102]1927 YMCA Conference – R Irving Boone
Who’s Who in Colored America 6th Ed: under Boone, R Irving – “Represented Colored college students of the Southern States at Blue Ridge (white), YMCA Conference, 1927”
[AU103]1927 Blue Ridge Leaders School:
July 21, 1927 Asheville Citizen: article about the Southern Summer School of YMCA Secretaries conference at Blue Ridge mentions, “One of the features of the school will be the volunteer leaders school in the department of physical education under the directorship of Ira Matheny, director, of the Central YMCA of Richmond, VA…” A separate article details the “women’s conference” for “the women who have accompanied the husbands and fathers to the Southern Summer School of YMCA Secretaries.”
[AU104]1927 Blue Ridge Buildings and Locations:
July 1927 Blue Ridge Voice Daily Bulletin: These buildings and locations are mentioned in various announcements: Library, Council Ring (above Lee Hall), Lee Hall, Dining Hall, Room D, Room E, Room F (East End of basement of Lee Hall), Room G (over Auditorium), Asheville Building, Weatherford Spring, Flagpole, Pool, SCY Camp, Auditorium, Conference Office,
Hikes to these locations: Woodcraft cabin, Overlook, High Top Colony, Spanish Castle, Brown’s Pasture, High Top, Webbs Tower, Turkey Ridge
Sports: Baseball, Tennis, Volleyball
[AU105]1928 Weatherford and YMCA Graduate
School class visit Tuskegee
April 28, 1928 New York Age: “Accompanied by this class in applied anthropology, Dr. WD Weatherford, president of the YMCA Graduate School, Nashville, spent two days at Tuskegee Institute, visiting class rooms and industries and observing methods of instruction.”
May 16, 1934 Montgomery Advertiser: brief article about Weatherford and YMCA Graduate School students visit to Tuskegee.
[AU106]1928 Blue Ridge Cottages:
April 6, 1928 Georgia School of Technology The Technique. Article about the
Agnes Scott-Tech Cottage. “On the Blue Ridge grounds there are 15 or more
cottages erected by the various colleges and universities of the South. The
cottages used by the Tech delegations is held jointly by Agnes Scott and
Tech…The cottage is in a secluded corner although centrally located – far
enough to the main buildings to be convenient. It contains 8 rooms, running
water, and a sleeping porch accommodating 20 men.”
[AU107]1929 “Grice Memorial Spring / Fountain”:
March 5, 1929 Gamecock and April 4, 1929
Tar Heel run picture of
water fountain with bell in front of College/Lee—identified as “Grice Memorial
Spring at Blue Ridge”
March 1, 1929 Technique and March 2, 1929 Technician run photo of fountain
without name
August 13, 1933 Asheville
Citizen Times runs article about the Association of Business Men’s
Evangelistic Clubs conference. The articles mentions “sunrise prayer meeting held
at Grice Memorial Spring.”
1979 National Register of Historic Places labels Fountain
(without name) as built in 1920.
Seen in Postcard: apc459, apcn451 (hard to see, blends in with Abbott Hall)
[AU108]1929 Blue Ridge Cottages:
March 2, 1929 NC State College The Technician runs short article able the NC State-Coker cottage:
“one of the best on the grounds.” The article also lists these cottages:
NC-NCCW, and Clemson-Winthrop, Florida.
April 5, 1929 University of Kentucky The Kentucky Kernel mentions the
Kentucky Cabin: “…Those students who go from the University will have the
privilege of staying in the ‘Kentucky Cabin’.”
[AU109]
1929 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
April 5, 1929 University of Kentucky The Kentucky Kernel runs article about the Summer Staff. The article refers to the staff as PWGs (Poor Working Girls) and PWBs (Poor Working Boys) and describes how they are selected and summer duties.
[AU110]1929 YMCA Conference – Horace G Dwiggins
Who’s Who in Colored America 6th Ed: under Dwiggins, Horace G – “represented Negro YMCA Council, Blue Ridge (white) YMCA Conference, 1929”
[AU111]1929 YMCA Graduate School
August 29, 1929 Asheville Citizen article about 10 students graduating from the YMCA Graduate School. The graduating ceremony will take place at the end of the summer at Blue Ridge. The September 2, 1928 Asheville Citizen also repots 10 graduates in an end of season article.
[AU112]1930 Lee School for Boys:
June 7, 1930 Asheville Citizen: Blue Ridge pays AB Robertson $600 to settle a suit. Robinson was seeking over $9000 for back pay and damages. Robinson was dismissed from Lee School for Boys and was seeking pay for 1928 and 1929.
[AU113]1930 Blue Ridge – Kings Mountain
August 2, 1930 Press Forum Weekly (Mobile AL) article about the students at the Southern Students YMCA Conference at Blue Ridge passing a resolution that “…an interconference retreat for a limited number of students from both Kings Mountain and Blue Ridge be again undertaken…”
[AU114]1930 Blue Ridge Staff (JJ Ray)
August 25, 1930 Hamilton Evening Journal article announces that JJ Ray is leaving the Hamilton YMCA for a “new position in Nashville, TN” (This would be the YMCA Graduate School and Blue Ridge.)
August 2, 1931 Asheville Citizen Times: JJ Ray is named “chief of staff” for Blue Ridge.
(In 1933 JJ Ray would be listed with the registration of Blue Ridge College, Inc.)
[AU115]July 13, 1931 Judge JD Murphy dies (Judge Murphy is part of the 1906 Eureka story; purchases the first tract of Blue Ridge property through Black Mountain Reality Improvement Company)
July 13, 1931 Asheville Citizen: brief article
[AU116]1931 Construction at Blue Ridge:
New Chlorinator
System
September 30, 1931 Walace & Tiernam Co, Inc. Agreement: “Manual Control Direct Feed Chlorinator Volumetric Type MDPM Complete” (unsure if for water system or pool; no newspaper articles about improvements in 1931)
[AU117]
1931 Missionary Conference:
August 2, 1931 Asheville Citizen Times article on the Missionary Education Movement Conference mentions their first edition of the conference newsletter: “Mountain Echos”.
[AU118]1931 Blue Ridge Inter-Racial Conference
April 9, 1931 Asheville Citizen: Article listing the conferences for the summer include: “Inter-racial Group, July 20-August 31”
[AU119]1932 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
May 29, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times: Article about Blue Ridge summer staff. 1932 Summer Staff consisted of 60 students (43 men and 27 women) from 41 different colleges, 15 states, and 1 foreign country In addition to the 60, there are 16 administrative staff
[AU120]1932 Blue Ridge Sunday Church Ad
July 24, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times: Blue Ridge ad: “Spend a great Sunday morning Hour – Visit Blue Ridge at 11:00, Sunday Dinner a Specialty”
[AU121] 1932 Blue Ridge Staff
July 31, 1932 Asheville Citizen Times article about James Peele Parker (JP Parker) and his association with Blue Ridge since 1910 when he sold a “small tract of mountain land” to Weatherford. The article states in 1911 he was hired to “supervise the clearing of this tract and construction of the buildings, and he has served Blue Ridge Association as buildings and grounds superintendent ever since”. The article also states Weatherford and Parker “are the only two individuals who have been associated with Blue Ridge throughout its colorful history and its usefulness has been due to their unswerving service.” JP Parker was Blue Ridge postmaster 1916-1926. (The article does not mention Hobbs or others as part of the timbering, construction, or early BR history). ---- Is Parker Cottage named for JP Parker?
[AU122]1933 Kings Mountain Conference:
May 12, 1933 Atlanta Constitution: article about the “21st Annual Student Conference to be held at Kings Mountain…These conferences, which are held under the joint auspices of the national council of the YMCA and YWCA are attended by over 200 students from negro colleges…”
[AU123]1933 Missionary Education Movement
Conference renamed Blue Ridge Leadership Training Conference, changes parent
organization
June 19, 1933 Asheville Citizen article about upcoming conference: “With expected attendance of some 100 Southern religious workers, the annual Blue Ridge Leadership Training Conference, formally called the Missionary Education Movement Conference, will open Tuesday….The conference, which was previously sponsored under the auspices of the Missionary Education Movement, is being continued this year under the
joint auspices of the Southeast Convention of Congregational and Christian Churches and the Southern Seminary Foundation which is affiliated with the Vanderbilt University School of Religion…” June 25, 1933 Asheville Citizen Times runs an article during the newly named conference.
[AU124]1933 Blue Ridge Cottages
July 20, 1933 Asheville Citizen article mentions that Henry E Wilson will be offering a class. He and his family will be staying in the Virginia-Converse Cottage.
August 25, 1933 Asheville Citizen: In an article about end of season concert, it mentions: “…The graduating students will be the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Weatherford at dinner Saturday evening in tier cottage, ‘Lynwood,’ on the Blue Ridge grounds.”
[AU125]1933 Blue Ridge Staff
July 20, 1933 Asheville Citizen article mentions WS Fitzgerald “has arrived at Blue Ridge to assume the position of official Blue Ridge host for the reminder of the season. In this capacity he will see to it that Blue Ridge guests are properly served and occupied.”
[AU126]1933 YMCA “Summer School” conference
reorganized
July 20, 1933 Asheville Citizen: article about conferences mentions: “Specialized YMCA conferences, which replace the former Southern Summer School of the YMCA, will open here Thursday under selected Southern secretaries…” The conferences include: Directors and Committeeman, City Secretaries, Southern Physical Education, and Physical Leaders’ Institute ("continuation" of the Southern Physical Education).
[AU127]1933: University of North Carolina loan
Note – the 1933 UNC “loan” was paid after the property transfer to Blue Ridge College, Inc. The article states “taxes” was the reason for the loan, not bond payment // Other Tar Heel articles in late 1933-early 1934 talk about the running and rental rules and rates of the cottage // No other college newspapers mention a “loan”. A few years earlier UNC had problems paying their half of the cottage.
[AU128]1934 Blue Ridge Staff Wedding:
July 8, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times: article announcing the marriage of Douglass Banks and William Hampton King. The two work for Blue Ridge and attend the YMCA Graduate School. They were married by Weatherford in Nashville.
[AU129]1933 Blue Ridge – Lee Hall Private
Dining Room
__ Private Dining Room setup
July 2, 1933 Asheville Citizen: brief article about Mitchell’s 43rd anniversary dinner: “…the YMCA Graduate School were honor guests at the dinner party in the Lee Hall dining room…”
August 3, 1934 Asheville
Citizen article about
annual alumni meeting mentions “…held their dinner here Wednesday night in the
private dining room of Robert E Lee Hall”. The room was large enough to
accommodate “45 alumni and their wives”
[AU130]February 1934: Thornton Wilder speaks at
Black Mountain College (Blue Ridge)
February 18, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times runs brief article announcing visit.
[AU131]1934 Blue Ridge Cottages:
June 16, 1934 Asheville Citizen: “Blue Ridge reservations show that every cottage available for use by tourists during the summer months has been reserved until the first of September…” The cottages listed in the article are: Craggy View Cottage, Virginia Medical Cottage, Mississippi AM College Cottage, Ward-Belmont Cottage, Agnes Scott Cottage, University of Kentucky Cottage, North Carolina State College Cottage, Camp Cottage, Watchman’s Cottage, Overlook Cottage, University of North Carolina Cottage, Washington and Lee Cottage, Meredith Cottage, University of Florida Cottage, Virginia Normal-Virginia Polytechnic Institute Cottage, Shorter Cottage.
October 14, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times: In an article about the new elementary school to be opened by Black Mountain College, it mentions: “The school will be held in one of the cottages on the Blue Ridge property which has been especially prepared to accommodate it. The school will be limited to 20 children, pre-school to sixth grade.(The cottage is not named in the article.)
[AU132]1934 Black Mountain College – Cottage
School (grades K-6)
October 14, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times article: “Black Mountain College announces the opening Monday of an elementary school at the college to be un under the supervision of the Black Mountain Public School System, and to be taught by Mrs. SK Ostergaard.” “Enrollment will be limited to 20 children…pre-school age up to sixth grade.”
December 30, 1934 Asheville Citizen Times article about Frederick Georgia of Black Mountain College, it mentions: Both of them (the Georgia’s children) attend the Cottage School, a newly formed elementary school that serves the faculty children and other youngsters living in the neighborhood of Blue Ridge and Black Mountain. The school, which is a branch of the Black Mountain Public School System, is attempting to do for education at the elementary level what the college is doing for older students.”
September 15, 1935 Asheville Citizen Times article: “The Cottage School, an educational project of Black Mountain College, here, will reopen Monday under the principleship of Mrs. Marjorie Knickerbocker.” The school is for grades K-6.
April 5, 1936 Asheville Citizen Times: in an article about Black Mountain College, it mentions “The students are at all times encouraged to assume responsibilites, such as involved in teaching in an elementary school founded by the college..."
[AU133] [AU133]1935: Blue Ridge Fire Fighting:
July 2, 1935 Asheville Citizen: Article explaining new fire fighting staff groups. There are three groups. The article also states: “Every building on the Blue Ridge is equipped with a sprinkler system.”
[AU134]1936 Blue Ridge Buildings and Cottages
Black Mountain College 1936 Lease lists the following buildings, locations, and cottages: Robert E Lee Hall, Post Office, Carpenter Shop, Store, Attic, Abbott Hall, Asheville Hall, Martha Washing Hall, Library Building, Lake, Lake Enclosure. ”Brown Pasture Track”, New Storage Building (not named), SCY Camp Buildings, Farm, Farm House, Power House, two Reservoirs, “Up Road,” “Return Road,” Cottages: Auburn-Brenau, Coker-NC State, Florida State, Meredith-Wake Forest, NCCW-UNC, Shorter-University of Georgia, Virginia Normal-VPI, University of Virginia-Converse, Washington, Lee-Randolf-Macon, Kentucky
[AU135] 1936 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
June 12, 1936 Asheville Citizen article states that 56 students are on Blue Ridge summer staff. Article also mentions YMCA Graduate School.
[AU136]1936 YMCA Graduate Schools continues
August 23, 1936 Asheville Citizen Times article: “Working under a unique system of service, Blue Ridge is operated by the YMCA Graduate School of Nashville, which has its summer quarters on the association grounds” (Note: the YMCA Graduate School lost the Nashville building in July 1936.). Description of the grounds includes: Laurel Lake, swimming pool, tennis, volleyball, gymnasium, handball court, playground, kitchen, dining hall (mentions “Round Table” dining room). Article mentions summer staff are taking classes at YMCA Graduate School.
[AU137]September 1, 1936 Weatherford officially
retires from YMCA
1936 YMCA Year Book and Official Rosters: On page 155 under “Official Roster of Employed Officers, Section 2 United States” Weatherford is listed as active with YMCA Graduate School, Nashville, TN (1901 start year). HW Sanders is listed on page 151. On page 221 under “Section 5 Association Colleges”, YMCA Graduate School, Nashville, TN is listed. // In the same PDF, later under “YMCA Year Book and Official Roster for Calendar Year 1936”, Weatherford and Sanders are no longer listed under the “active” staff. On page 156, Sanders is listed under “Secretaries in Transition”. On page 209 YMCA Graduate School is no longer listed under Association Colleges. On page 215, under Weatherford is listed under “Retired Secretaries” as of September 1, 1936.
[AU138] 1937 Blue Ridge listed For Sale?
January 24, 1937 Asheville Citizen Times: advertisement within Gray Gorham Realtor box: “We offer for sale the Blue Ridge Association buildings and grounds, 1619 acres” (no price listed). NOTE: This listing doesn’t appear to run again. No articles about Blue Ridge being for sale in 1937.
[AU139]May 1937: Aldous Huxley visits Black
Mountain College (Blue Ridge)
May 9, 1937 Asheville Citizen Times: runs article about Huxley visit to the College and area. Photo appears to be on steps of Lee Hall.
[AU140]1937 Summer Season
August 22, 1937 Asheville Citizen Times: “For the second time this summer, the hotel (Lee Hall) and the 56 surrounding buildings are taxed to capacity to care for crowds of vacationists and conferees.” The article details the states in attendance and the number of cars.
[AU141]November 1937 University of Mississippi
student letter
November 20, 1937 Pittsburgh Courier runs story about and reprints much of Dave Hamilton’s letter printed in the University of Mississippi student newspaper in which he attacks “the preaching of racial equality at Blue Ridge.”
[AU142]1938 Forest Fire close to Blue Ridge
May 1, 1938 Asheville Citizen: Article about two fires burning over 425 acres around Black Mountain. The biggest fire “burned approximately 400 acres east of High Top mountain…” The article mentions: “…Hard work by Forest Warden CK Brown and his men, reinforced by a crew from Blue Ridge, kept the fire from spreading to the tract owned by the Blue Ridge Association.”
[AU143]1938 YMCA Graduate School continues
June 12, 1938 Asheville Citizen Times article about the summer conferences mentions “...the YMCA Graduate School will hold sessions through the remainder of July…” (Note: the YMCA Graduate School lost the Nashville building in July 1936.)
[AU144]1938 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
June 12, 1938 Asheville Citizen Times article about summer conferences mentions the summer staff: “Last year 1,000 students applied for admission to the Blue Ridge summer graduate school when less than 100 could be accepted”
[AU146]1938 Blue Ridge Staff:
August 14, 1938 Asheville Citizen Times: In an article highlighting Black Mountain College and Blue Ridge summer conferences: “One of the unique things about Blue Ridge as it is operated during the summer season…is that it uses only uses upper class and graduate college students to do the work in the buildings…” The article also mentions: “Most people who visit the dining room comment on the sort of food that only that old south knows how to make. ‘Jack’ (name is in quotes and only first name listed), the negro chef who has been at Blue Ridge for 23 years, has a reputation for ‘knowing what summer folks laks (sic) to eat.’” (Note in 2009 NC Historical Review, “Jack” is identified in a 1936 photo as Jack Lipsey, head cook. Lipsey is also identified in June 2, 1939 Asheville Citizen Times article on Blue Ridge fire-fighting contest: “The fourth team consisted of cooks and negro workers with Jack Lipsey as capitan.”)
[AU147]1939 YWCA Summer Vacation Book
May 23, 1939 University of North Carolina Daily Tar Heel: The YWCA releases a Summer Vacation Book that includes: “Conferences include Blue Ridge, the southern conference grounds for students in white colleges, and the Talladega conference for men and women students in both white and negro colleges.” (Note, this statement is also used in 2001 Thesis by Andrew Candy.)
[AU148]1939 Talladega Conference starts
BlueRidge-Talladega-1939: poster and registration card. “Southern Student Christian Conferences” YMCA-YWCA – Blue Ridge: “open to men and women students and faculty from white colleges in the ten southern states” / Talladega: “open to men and women students and faculty from any college – Negro or white – in the ten southern states.” (similar to the 1941 poster)
[AU149]1939 Mitchells celebrate 48th
Wedding Anniversary at Blue Ridge:
June 2, 1939 Asheville Citizen Times: “Dr. and Mrs. HS Mitchell celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary Friday night with a dinner party attended by a few close friends at Blue Ridge.” The dinner was held in the “private dining room” with coffee following at Weatherford’s house. The article also states: “This is the 23rd summer that Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell have come to Blue Ridge…”
[AU150]1939 Blue Ridge Fire Fighting:
June 2, 1939 Asheville Citizen Times article about fire-fighting contest and exhibition of skills of four teams.
[AU151]1939 Interracial Conference at Lake
Junaluska
June 22, 1939 Asheville Citizen: article about Channing Tobias speaking at “social order” conference at Lake Junaluska. He is “head of the international negro YMCA headquarters in New York City…” (Weatherford or Blue Ridge not mentioned).
[AU152]1940 Southern Dairies gives six
scholarships to Blue Ridge
June 20, 1940 Asheville Citizen: brief article about Southern Dairies gift of six scholarships at Blue Ridge.
[AU153]1940 Staff Newspaper: “The PW Weekly”
July 5, 1940 Asheville Citizen: “A weekly newspaper, ‘The PW Weekly,’ is being published by the students of the YMCA Graduate School, holding its summer quarter at Blue Ridge…” “The staff will issue the paper every Saturday during the summer quarter.”
[AU154]1941 Albert Einstein visits Black
Mountain College:
April 29, 1941 Asheville Citizen: Albert Einstein visited Black Mountain College, tours and eats lunch at Lake Eden.
[AU155]1941 Talladega Conference starts
BlueRidge-Talladega-1941: poster. “Southern Student Christian Conferences” YMCA-YWCA – Blue Ridge: “open to men and women students and faculty from white colleges in the ten southern states” / Talladega: “open to men and women students and faculty from any college – Negro or white – in the ten southern states.” (similar to the 1939 poster)
[AU156]1941 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
June 12, 1941 Asheville Citizen: “College boys and girls from Illinois to Florida have assembled here for study and play. Most of the students will pay for their room and meals by working in the buildings, thereby getting college credit at little cost to themselves…”
July 24, 1941 Asheville Citizen in an article about staff training for the second term, Weatherford explains the history of the staff: “One of the hardest things our students had to learn..was how to get used to common every day labor. At that time there was a tradition in the South that made people think they were belittling themselves to do any kind of labor that had been done by slaves. Our students had to learn that any task which ministers to human need is a sacred task.”
[AU157]1941 Blue Ridge Speakers:
June 12, 1941 Asheville Citizen: “ ‘Agriculture and Tenant Farming’ and ‘Education in the South’ were discussed by Rupert B Vance of University of North Carolina and Dr. Benjamin Mays, president of Morehouse College, at the Southern Student Conference…”
[AU158]1942 Housing Army Hospital construction
workers
June 25, 1942 Asheville Citizen: “To supply additional facilities for housing the several thousand out-of-town workers expected to be employed in the construction of new Army hospital near Black Mountain, sufficient accommodations for 600 men will be provided at Blue Ridge.” Workers will occupy all or part of 10 buildings while summer conferences are in session.
NOTE: In1942, Moore General Hospital on Highway 70 between Swannanoa and Black Mountain was built by the Army to serve WWII solders.
Postcard of Moore General Hospital: x19-apca19a01
[AU159]1942 War Air Raid Blackouts
January 13, 1942 Asheville Citizen brief article about air raid siren for Black Mountain being ordered.
August 14, 1942 Key City News (Black Mountain NC) article on the blackout: “The first blackout to be staged in this locality was put into success operation on Monday night…At 10:00 a phone call was received from the control center in Asheville…The air raid siren on the City Hall roof was immediately sounded…for all lights to be put out…” Outlining areas, including Blue Ridge (who may not hear the siren) were telephoned. In a separate “News from Blue Ridge” article the blackout is reported: “Monday night, Blue Ridge, together with all of Western North Carolina observed the test blackout. It was so successfully accomplished that only an owl could have seen Mr. HW Sanders, our general manager and chief air raid warden, prowling around with a dimmed, red ‘bulbed’ flashlight…”
[AU160]1942 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
August 30, 1942 Asheville Citizen Times: article about the “annual reunion of present and past members of the Blue Ridge staff and the YMCA Graduate School, held this week, came to a close Saturday night…”
[AU161]1942 Staff Newspaper “The Overlook”
August 30, 1942 Asheville Citizen Times: In article about the annual staff reunion, it mentions “…articles from ‘The Overlook,’ weekly paper edited by the students of the YMCA Graduate School through the season…”
[AU162]1942 Blue Ridge- Southern Mountain
Handicraft
September 2, 1942 Asheville Citizen: article about the end of the season states: “In its plan to become a center of Southern mountain handicraft, Blue Ridge, for the first time this year, instituted a course in jewelry and metal work in addition to the ceramic art course which has been taught here for the last three years. In further pursuit of this plan, Blue Ridge hopes to add a course in weaving…(during) the 1943 season.” (Note: Blue Ridge would not open during the summer of 1943.)
[AU163]1943 Southern Industrial Executive
Conference and Southern Conference on Human Relations in Industry
March 1, 1943 Evening Telegram: very brief article announcing the Southern Conference on Human Relations will be at Blue Ridge July 15-17 and the Southern Industrial Executives on July 15 (Note: The conference would later be moved because Blue Ridge did not open the summer of 1943.)
July 14, 1943 Asheville Citizen: Southern Industrial Executive Conference and Southern Conference on Human Relations in Industry meet jointly at Battery Park Hotel in Asheville. The article states: “The Executives have met here for five years. The Human Relations Conference, which has been held at Blue Ridge each year, will be held here for the first time.”
July 16, 1943 Asheville Citizen in an article about the keynote at the Conference of Southern Industrial Executives: "...For 23 years this conference has been held at Blue Ridge. This year is is also meeting in Asheville..."
(Note: Blue Ridge did not open during the summer of 1943.)
[AU164]1943-1944 Blue Ridge Staff (during
transition):
August 1943 – February 1944: No named Executive Director: After Weatherford retires in August 1943 (August 22, 1943 Asheville Citizen Times) and Blue Ridge Assembly takes over operation (then ownership) of Blue Ridge, no “Executive Director” is named until ES Jackson starts in February 1943 (announcement in January 1, 1946 The Jackson Sun)
January 23, 1944 Asheville Citizen Times: “Charles M Gray of Atlanta has been named manager for the 1944 season of operation of the Blue Ridge Assembly…” Later in the article: “A discussion of repairs and equipment needed followed the report of acting manager, AL Mayer. It was reported that the staff is now engaged for operating the assembly…”
February 21, 1944 Asheville Citizen: Article about the naming of the Board members, mentions those in attendance at the meeting. Among the attendees: “AL Mayer, temporary resident manager of Blue Ridge; and Herbert Sanders of Black Mountain, who has been associated with Dr. Weatherford in the management of Blue Ridge…”
April 27, 1944 Asheville Citizen in an update article on Blue Ridge: “AL Mayer, a retired YMCA man, who is helping temporarily in the work, is returning to Ohio, it was announced, and Charles M Grey has been appointed permanent resident manager…”
May 14, 1953 Asheville Citizen in an article announcing the retirement of HW Sanders (after 34 years at Blue Ridge), he lists the Directors he has worked under: “Sanders is serving with his fourth executive secretary at Blue Ridge: Dr. Weatherford 1919-1945, Charles Gray 1945, ES Sanders 1947-52, and Henry T Ware 1953…Because of rationing the assembly operated for only two months in the summer of 1946. For that period Sanders served as resident manager and executive secretary…” (Note: Not all years exactly align with newspaper articles about changes in Executive Directors or 1945 when Blue Ridge closed for part of the summer.)
[AU165]October 1943: Fundraising Campaign
started?
August 16, 1944 Asheville Citizen article: “…follow-up of the Blue Ridge Campaign which has raised $70,000 since October…remaining $80,000” (need details of the campaign that started in October 1943 before BR Assembly was registered.)
[AU166]1943 Blankets Stolen:
October 24, 1943 Asheville Citizen Times: brief article about 50-60 double blankets being stolen from Lee Hall.
[AU167]1944 Southern Conference on Human
Relations in Industry
May 26, 1944 Asheville Citizen Times: Article about the upcoming Southern Conference on Human Relations in Industry to be held in July at Blue Ridge. The conference is back at Blue Ridge. (Blue Ridge did not open the summer of 1943 and the conference was held jointly at the Battery Park Hotel in Asheville with the Southern Industrial Executive Conference.)
[AU168]1945 YWCA pulls out of Southern YMCA-YWCA
Conference at Blue Ridge
According to EBurro1954, the YWCA no longer attends the Southern Student Conference starting in 1945. In 1952 the YWCA would rejoin the conference. (NOTE: Most newspaper articles that list the summer conference only list the “YMCA Conference” from 1945-1951. In 1952 “YMCA-YWCA Conference” is used.”
[AU169]1946 Student Conferences:
June 13, 1946 Asheville Citizen article reports that “110 students and leaders, representing 22 colleges and universities, are attending the annual Student YMCA conference…” The article states that 37 women are attending the conference.
[AU170]1946 Blue Ridge Staff (Bascombe Allen dies)
August 28, 1946 Asheville Citizen: Article about Bascombe Allen, Blue Ridge postmaster, being killed after being hit by a truck.
[AU171]1947 Conferences:
December 29, 1946 Asheville Citizen Times article lists the 1947 conferences (as of December 1946). There are several open weeks.
[AU173]1949 Blue Ridge College, Inc. suspended
1933-08-14-19330821-BkC0013Pg0470 – top left corner of Blue Ridge College, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation says “Suspended 6-1-49”
[AU174]1950 Blue Ridge Staff
August 15, 1950 Asheville Citizen runs photo of the Summer Staff with names.
[AU175]1951 or 1952 Blue Ridge Policy Change
According to ACandy2001, policy changed in 1952??
June 8, 1951 Ashville Citizen: article about the start of the season includes a list of conference. The “YMCA Student Conference” is listed for June, but no indications of “YWCA”.
According to “Speak Now Against the Day: The Generation Before the Civil Rights Movement…” (John Egerton), the first integrated regional conference of YMCA-YWCA at Blue Ridge was in 1952.
[AU176]1951 Blue Ridge Leaders School
August 1, 1951 St. Petersburg Times: article about Lorenzo Elliot and Silas Givens attending the “Blue Ridge NC Regional YMCA Leaders School.” Both were from Melrose Park Branch YMCA (an African-American YMCA branch that later became an independent YMCA).
August 3, 1951 Asheville Citizen: “Concurrent 7-day conferences for YMCA Secretaries and Leaders will open at the Southern YMCA Assembly here Sunday”
[AU177]1952 Blue Ridge Staff (Ray Legate dies):
October 6, 1952 Asheville Citizen: RH (Ray) Legate dies at age 75. Legate was the first “manger” and first postmaster of Blue Ridge. Note: In early newspaper ads and articles Ray was called “Roy.”
[AU178]1953 Blue Ridge Cottages
January 23, 1953 Asheville Citizen article about Henry T Ware starting as new Blue Ridge Executive Secretary. The article states: “Mr. and Mrs. Ware are living in the cottage formally occupied by Mr. and Mrs. ES Jackson (previous Executive Secretary).”
[AU179]1953 Blue Ridge Staff (August Johnston,
new Blue Ridge manager):
May 9, 1953 Alabama Journal and May 15, 1953 Asheville Citizen: articles about August L Johnston, general secretary of the Montgomery AL YMCA, being named the new Blue Ridge manager replacing HW Sanders.
July 26, 1953 Montgomery Advertiser: William C Chandler becomes new general secretary of the Montgomery YMCA, replacing August L Johnson. (Future – Chandler would start and the Montgomery YMCA oversees the Conference on National Affairs, the Montgomery YMCA also oversees the high school Christian Values Conference at Blue Ridge)
[AU180]1953 Forest Fire and Setting Fires on
Blue Ridge Property court case
November 16, 1953 Asheville Citizen: Article about various forest fires near Blue Ridge. The fire had been “set deliberately.”
December 29, 1953 Asheville Citizen Times: listed in the County Court Action, three individuals had court appearance on charges of “intentionally setting fires to woods, burning property of the Blue Ridge Assembly, with malicious intent to damage property…”
[AU181]January 31, 1955 Dr. John R Mott dies
February 1, 1955 Miami Daily News: runs article of death of John Mott
May 30, 1965 Asheville Citizen Times article marks the 100th anniversary of Mott’s birthdate. In the article Weatherford recalls when he shared with Mott “his dream of a permanent location for these student conferences.” This would eventually lead to the founding of Blue Ridge.
[AU182]1955 Berea College “Weatherford Night”
June 26, 1955 Nashville Tennessean: article about WD Weatherford being honored with “Weatherford Night” during the centennial celebration of Berea College. Weatherford has been on the board of Berea for 40 years.
[AU183]July 18, 1955 John W Bergthold dies. He
was a member of the first business committee of the Blue Ridge Board.
May 6, 1923 Anniston Star: announcement of Bergthold being appointed YMCA Student Regional Secretary (Weatherford’s former position with the YMCA). Same article runs in multiple newspapers.
July 19, 1955 Asheville Citizen
[AU184]July 22, 1956 Blue Ridge Death: Elsie
Wilson falls from window of Abbott Hall
July 23, 1956 Evening Telegram: runs brief story about death
July 23, 1956 Shreveport Times: runs article about Elsie Wilson
July 24, 1956 Asheville Citizen: runs brief story that death was accidental
October 9, 2019 Black Mountain News: runs article identifying Wilson as “Petunia” “who haunts the Abbott Hall at Blue Ridge Assembly”. The article is about Black Mountain Ghost Walks.
[AU185]1957 Inter-Racial Conferences (ban by Georgia Board of Education)
April 23, 1957 Dothan Eagle: “The Georgia Board of Education has forbidden public school pupils to take part in either state or national bi-racial meetings of organizations such as 4-H Clubs and the YWCA.” “The resolution was proposed by William Bodenhamer, a segregationist leader who said the idea was suggested by plans of the YWCA to hold a racially mixed, nine-state conference this summer at Blue Ridge, NC.”
[AU186]1958 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
June 3, 1958 Asheville Citizen article reports the “105-man staff” reports. First conference is YMCA-YWCA Southeastern Student Conference, starting Friday.
[AU187]1959 Forest Fire:
March 25, 1959 Asheville Citizen: In an article about area forest fires, it mentions “a runaway trash fire swept 35 acres of land near High Top Orchards…An old, unattended apple orchard occupied 10 acres of this area burned, but the fire didn’t damage the currently managed orchard…” “The fire also burned a small part of Blue Ridge Assembly woods…”
[AU188]1959 Blue Ridge Staff (Harold McNary,
new Blue Ridge manager)
February 14, 1959 Asheville Citizen: Harold J McNary named business manager of Blue Ridge, replacing August L Johnston (resident manager).
[AU189]1959 Weatherford Memorial Library
July 31, 1959 Asheville Citizen: In an article about the Blue Ridge Board upcoming meeting it mentions, “Special consideration will be given to the project of the new Weatherford Memorial Library.”
February 18, 1960 Ashville Citizen: In an article about the 1959 season and Board Meeting, it mentions “…heard reports from the Weatherford Memorial Library committee...”
[AU190]1960 Southern Region of the YMCA – first
African-American student president
May 11, 1960 St. Petersburgh Times article about Lorenzo Brown from Florida A&M being “elected president of the Southern Region of the YMCA…at the Blue Ridge Assembly grounds last week…” “Brown, the first of his race to be elevated to such a position in the organization…”
[AU191]1960 Blue Ridge meeting rooms: George
Williams Room – Lee Hall
August 15, 1960 Asheville Citizen: In an article about a YMCA professional conference, it mentions: “A get-acquainted coffee party will be held at 9:30am in the George Williams Room of Lee Hall for the ‘Y’ wives.”
[AU192]1961 Blue Ridge Leaders’ School:
August 24, 1961 Asheville Citizen runs a photo of gymnastics during Blue Ridge Leaders School. Caption ways BRLS is the “oldest and largest leaders school in the nation, this year’s school has 37 girls and 180 boys.” Colquitt Clark is the school director and has “invited the public to attend an exhibition at 8:30pm Friday in the Blue Ridge gymnasium.”
[AU193]1963 Blue Ridge Staff (James A Peoples
dies)
March 22, 1963 Robesonian (Lumberton NC): James A Peoples, Sr. dies at age 86. Peoples was the headmaster for Lee School for Boys.
[AU194]1964 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
August 30, 1964 Asheville Citizen Times: end of summer article mentions summer staff was 90.
[AU195]“Prophet of Plenty-The First Ninety
Years of WD Weatherford” book by Wilma Dykeman published
November 27, 1966 Asheville Citizen Times runs article about the book and some details about Weatherford / Blue Ridge.
[AU196]1966 Blue Ridge Week at Jackson YMCA
March 20, 1966 Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS YMCA is observing Blue Ridge Week March 20-26.
[AU197]1967 Plane Crash at Blue Ridge
June 11, 1967 Asheville Citizen Times article about a search following reports of a “light airplane” that crashed in the area around the High Windy Lookout Tower.
[AU198]1967-1968
Blue Ridge Staff (Charles R Miller, new business manager; Limbert retires;
Washburn new executive director):
June 2, 1967 Asheville Citizen: Charles R Miller named business manager.
August 18, 1967 Asheville
Citizen: retirement of Paul M
Limbert announced.
April 21, 1968 Asheville Citizen Times in article announcing Frank Washburn as the new
Executive Director: “…The appointment ends a six-month search for a successor
to Dr. Paul M Limbert, who retired in December 1967…” Later in the article:
“…The business manager of the assembly, Charles R Miller, is the acting
executive. Dr. Limbert, now in permanent residence at Black Mountain, continues
to serve in a voluntary capacity.”
[AU199]1968 “Camp Blue Ridge” part of Asheville
YMCA Day Camps
May 12, 1968 Asheville Citizen Times: in article listing the Asheville YMCA Day Camp locations, it includes: “Through the corporation of Blue Ridge Assembly at Black Mountain, Camp Blue Ridge will be held on the grounds of Blue Ridge Assembly.”
[AU200]1968 Black Mountain College – John Rice
dies
November 28, 1968 Asheville Citizen: article about death of John Rice. Rice was the founder and first rector of Black Mountain College which leased the Blue Ridge property 1933-1941.
[AU201]April 27, 1970 William Morgan dies
(early associate of Weatherford)
April 28, 1970 Asheville Citizen
[AU202]1971 Black Appalachian Commission –
first meeting
July 10, 1971 Asheville Citizen reports on “the initial conference of the 13-state Black Appalachian Commission” meeting at Blue Ridge.
[AU203]1973: NCGS High Windy Marker
North Carolina Geodetic Survey marker placed at High Windy. Stamping: “High Windy 1973”. (21 feet SE of shelter, 100 feet north of fire tower)
[AU204]1974 Christian Values Conference (High
School)
May 22, 2002 Montgomery Advertiser: In a feature spread of Bill Chandler (Montgomery AL YMCA), the timeline states: “1974: Takes leadership of the Teen Conference at Blue Ridge (NC) and change it to the Christian Values Conference.”
[AU205]1974 Blue Ridge Cottages
July 26, 1974 Asheville Citizen: article about 16 people being hurt when a cottage porch collapsed. The cottage is not named.
[AU206]July 24, 1974 Blue Ridge Staff (Henry T
Ware dies). Ware was director of Blue Ridge 1952-1957.
August 9, 1974 Hattiesburg American
[AU207] 1979 Blue Ridge Cottages:
1979 National Register of Historic Places application lists these cottages:
Parker, Coker, Kentucky, Agnes Scott, Ward Belmont, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Meredith, Dogwood, Rhododendron, Craggy View, Converse, VPI, Georgia,
Auburn, Clemson, Overlook, Booker T Washington (1915).
[AU208]1980 Blue Ridge Summer Staff:
July 18, 1981 Asheville Citizen Times: article mentions the previous summer’s (1980) staff: “147 members of our summer staff…80 collegiate staffers and 67 were supervisory and permanent staffers…”
[AU209]December 29, 1982: Blue Ridge Staff (Paul
M Grist dies)
December 30, 1982 Selma Times Journal
September 2, 1983 Selma Times Journal
[AU210]1984 Blue Ridge Staff (ES Jackson dies).
Jackson was director of Blue Ridge 1946-1952.
June 28, 1984 Jackson Sun (Jackson TN)
(His wife, Margaret, would continue as a summer volunteer until 1993.)
[AU211]1985 Partnership with Asheville-Buncombe
County YMCA for Day Camp at Blue Ridge
August 27, 1986 Asheville Citizen, in an article about a donation to build a shelter for the Day Camp, it mentions: “The Asheville-Buncombe County YMCA and YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly undertook a joint project in 1985 to provide a day camp for youths in the Black Mountain-Swannanoa communities.”
[AU212]1985 Blue Ridge Staff (Charles and
Willie Younts die) C Younts was acting director of Blue Ridge 1962; both were
active Board members and contributors.
July 2, 1985 Atlanta Constitution runs obituary for Willie C Younts
November 30, 1985 Atlanta Constitution runs obituary for Charles R Younts.
[AU213]December 24, 1988 Blue Ridge Staff (Paul
M Limbert dies). Limbert was director of Blue Ridge 1963-1968.
December 30, 1988 Asheville Citizen Times
[AU214]1992 Blue Ridge Staff – Distinguished
Alumni Service Award – Margaret M Jackson
June 15, 1995 Asheville Citizen Times: and June 15, 1995 Jackson Sun (Jackson, TN) In the obituary of Margaret M Jackson (wife of ES Jackson, former Blue Ridge Executive Secretary), it states “In 1992, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Blue Ridge Assembly.” The obituary also details her involvement at Blue Ridge from 1946-1993.
[AU215]1993 Construction at Blue Ridge
June 2, 1993 Asheville Citizen Times – under Public Records, Building Permits: Blue Ridge Assembly listed 4 times (project not named)
[AU216]May 22,
1996: Willis D Weatherford, Jr. dies (1916-1996).
He
is the only child of WD Weatherford, Sr. and Julia. He is buried in Berea
Cemetery in Berea, KY.
May 24, 1996 Asheville
Citizen Times
[AU217] 1998 Fire at Blue Ridge
June 28, 1998 Asheville Citizen Times runs brief story: “Black Mountain fire officials are investigating a fire that damaged a building at Blue Ridge Assembly Saturday. No one was injured, but the fire did cause moderate damage to the building.” The article did not name the building, but described: “The fire damaged the wall and ceiling of the building which is used for meetings and conferences…” ----College Hall?
[AU218]2003 JC Penny Afterschool Grant
August 6, 2003 Asheville Citizen Times: brief article about Blue Ridge receiving the $5000 JC Penny Afterschool grant.
[AU219]2006 Wilma Dykeman (1920-2006) dies
Author of “Prophet of Plenty: The First Ninety Years of WD Weatherford” (1966)
December 24, 2006 Asheville Citizen Times runs articles of after her death.
[AU220]February 4, 2016 Blue Ridge Staff (Frank
M Washburn dies). Washburn was director of Blue Ridge 1968-1985.
February 13, 2016 Statesman Journal (Salem OR)
[AU221]2016 “Willis Duke Weatherford-Race,
Religion, and Reform in the American South” book by Andrew McNeill Canady
published
[AU222]2019: High Top residents have 100 year
reunion at Blue Ridge
August 1, 2019 Black Mountain News runs article on reunion. Story in article says Roy John and Weatherford purchased 10 acres from the estate of Robert Morehead in 1919.