Black Mountain's Past
Reflecting on ‘the Mrs. Richardson letter’ of 1957
Wendell Begley
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
March 21, 2024
Overlooking downtown Black Mountain, this was the location of the Richardson homeplace from 1930 to 1983. It was called “Hilltop.” Interestingly, in the early 1900s, the Biltmore Estate’s George W. Vanderbilt owned the property. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
When the Swannanoa Valley Museum opened its doors for business this Spring we celebrated our 35th year of operation. What does that mean to all of us? Well, I believe it benchmarks a timeline that honors a solemn, sincere and dedicated purpose to preserve and bring to life “Our Valley’s” colorful heritage.
The picture of our Old Depot is believed to have been taken in the early 1900s. At the time, Black Mountain was the “Jumping-Off” point for one of Eastern America’s “Top-Ten” tourist destinations. Folks came here from all over America to travel to the “Rooftop” of Eastern America (Mount Mitchell). Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Each Spring as we eagerly lay out the proverbial welcome mat, we unite with the citizens of Our Valley in celebrating the excitement of preserving another year of history. As the largest membership organization in the Swannanoa Valley (350 Members) we applaud our unique diversity of people, geography and the interaction thereof.
To highlight the Museums past three decades, I chose to re-tell a memorable story about our Town and its people. I believe it best describes and reflects the coveted responsibility each of us embrace as we strive to preserve our legacy and way of life in the unrivaled Valley we call home. So here goes …
Black Mountain’s beloved, Clara Dixon Richardson (1888-1985). Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Many years ago, while thumbing through old issues of The Black Mountain News, I came across a beautifully written letter by Black Mountain’s Clara Dixon Richardson (1888-1985). She was the wife of Dr. Frank Howard Richardson (1883-1970). I remember her as being involved in almost all aspects of Black Mountain’s civic events, projects and clubs. Growing up at the foot of Sunset Mountain and Richardson Hill (Hilltop) here in town, Dr. and Mrs. Richardson were our neighbors. As a young boy, Dr. Richardson gave me my first vaccinations. They both were good friends to my mother and dad. Mother always said “Dr. Frank” extolled good advice on childrearing and medicine. Even though Dr. Richardson became a nationally published pediatrician, you might say he was an “ole timey” version of our beloved Dr. Olson Huff.
Now, the subject of this week’s storyline, Mrs. Richardson’s 1957 “Letter to the Editor of The Black Mountain News.” After reading it several times, I decided it was an appropriate to our time, especially when many of us “natives” talk about “newcomers” moving into our Valley. You know the “us” and “them” argument. Well, when the opportunity arises, I tell our newest guests and neighbors … Do not forget “WE” ran off the Cherokees! So, who is truly a “Native? Enough said. .
Now, Mrs. Richardson's endearing letter:
“Black Mountain, the name is music to my ears. I love it so. It is synonymous with happy living. A long time ago, as some people measure time, Dr. Richardson and I spent our first summer in Black Mountain (the 1920s). We stayed in the Morgan cottage. In front of it was a dirt road (State Street) being plowed up by teams of mules to make way for the first paved highway to Asheville. No one ever thought of going to Asheville, to shop that far away city. Black Mountain was sufficient.
We had three small children then and opposite the Morgan cottage, where Dr. Cooley’s office now stands (present day Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce building), was a pig pen. When the children woke in the morning, they could not get over there fast enough to watch the fascinating sight of the pigs. No other form of entertainment seemed to be necessary.
A 1959 photograph of the Black Mountain Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including Clara’s husband, Dr. Frank Howard Richardson. I have identified most of the individuals …Ashby McCoy, Bill Hickey, Weldon Early, Bill White, Bill Holcombe, Mr. Courtmeier, Carl Bowness, Bub Tyson, Dr. Richardson, Max Woodcock, Finley Stepp, Harry Hyder and Mr. Uzzell. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Yes, Dr. Richardson opened an office in the Morgan cottage for the summer. His first patient, I shall never forget. A frantic young Mother rushed in to say that her child had swallowed a penny. It was like a golden penny as far as we were concerned for it gave us courage to think other patients might come and we might make a living here, at least in the summer.
My father, A.C. Dixon, then pastor of Spurgeon’s Tabernacle, London was speaking in Ridgecrest, which then was at a low ebb, but he had absolute faith in its future as a great center for the Southern Baptists and he had just as much faith in Black Mountain as the place for us to come to with a family of children. It was through his influence that we came down that summer.
The day before we were to return to New York, Dr. Richardson came rushing into the house where I was frantically packing. “Drop everything and go to the house on the top of the hill (Hilltop).” I stumbled into it by accident and found that the two old ladies living there wanted to sell. Their old horse has died and one of them has heart trouble. It would be wonderful for us and the children. I dropped everything and scrambled up the hill, getting lost on the way, but I finally reached the house so covered with trees that not a mountain could be seen. There was no water except a well, no electricity, no road-just a wagon trail-no view. But in a minute, I caught the vision of what it could be for us and the children.
I walked through the big house and out onto the big porch. I saw nothing else. But I could tell it was well built and there would be no neighbors to complain as to how the children behaved. The next day we went back to New York. We could talk of nothing else all winter except the house on the hill and Black Mountain. And so, we corresponded and bought the house and the hill. Can you imagine our excitement at the thought of returning next summer to our new home that we had really seen? From then on, we loved Black Mountain and everybody in it more and more. Yes, our family and friends in New York thought we were crazy, but they did not see what we saw—the future of this community as an ideal place for family living. And so, in a few summers we turned our back on the big city and made our permanent home here and we have never regretted it? Not a minute! Now our friends envy us as they come down to see us. “You are so fortunate to live in a community like this.” That is what they say, and we agree.
Our children started right into school here. It was not long before they wanted to keep up with the Joneses and they begged, not for a car, but to be allowed to go to school barefooted. “Everybody’s doing it, please let us.” So barefooted they went till the fourth grade, I believe..The elementary school was of the best, for the teachers were so fine. Dear Mrs. Ashley headed the list. Never has there been a more outstanding teacher anywhere. Her influence was strongly felt on our five children. She may well be proud of the start she gave them, for every one of them went through college and took an advanced degree. Yes, that is what the Black Mountain schools did and are still doing, preparing the children for successful living. To be sure they all left Black Mountain but that is life. All of them are proud of the fact that they have lived here, and they all love to return. They still call Black Mountain home.
This 1962 picture includes Black Mountain’s Dr. Frank Howard Richardson. Dr. Richardson is seated on the front row. He is the third individual from the left. One of Dr. Richardson’s many responsibilities included serving on the Board of Directors at Black Mountain Savings during the 1950s and 60s. I included this picture of Black Mountain Savings Bank’s Officers and Board of Directors. Seated on the front row (left to right) are: H.A. “Doss” Kerlee, Ronald E. Finch, Dr. Frank Howard Richardson, and J.A. “Jim” Dougherty. Standing (left to right) include: Wade “Pappy” Morrow, Marcus F. Begley, Max Woodcock and A.F. “Bub” Tyson, Jr. Reflecting a little irony, remember the “Morgan Cottage” that the Richardson’s occupied when they first came to Black Mountain. Well, that property is the present-day location of Black Mountain Savings Bank. This year reflects our 55th year at the site of the old Morgan house. In 1969, the Bank moved from its prior location on Broadway (the old Greene building) to the corner of Richardson Blvd. and East State Street. As fate would have it, My Dad (Marcus F. Begley) while serving on the Black Mountain Town Council (in the 60s) drew up a “Resolution” that passed the Board” naming “Richardson Blvd.” in Memory of his Neighbor and Long Time Friend, Dr. Richardson. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
We lived through the Depression here. We all walked. No one could get gas. We were all poor together and had fun. Broadway was like a ghost city. Come September not a soul could be seen anywhere around.
There is something that gets into your soul if you have ever lived in Black Mountain. You want to come back. Ask Mr. Gordon Greenwood who went to Boston and then returned to do more for our town through his newspaper (The Black Mountain News) than almost any other man who has worked here. Down deep in his heart he knows why he came back, because he loves it here like the rest of us.
I would like to shout it from the highest peak. There is no other town in this country of ours finer to raise a family in, with its churches and its schools, its planned recreational program, and its people. I know for we have done it. What we want are more families to come to Black Mountain to live. Let’s specialize on families.”
The Swannanoa Valley Museum’s “Rim Hikers” (2018). We are assembled on the trail less Rim south of Town. It was our 9th year to “guide” Rim trekkers was the largest group of “Adventurers” (48) to date to ever take on “Eastern North America’s Highest and Most Historic Skyline” … It was Another Year of memories and special bonding for Natives and Newbies, both Young and Old. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Reflecting back, Mrs. Richardson wrote her account of Black Mountain almost 67 years ago. It was composed in May 1957, as Dr. Richardson was finishing out his seventh and final term (1943-1957) on Black Mountain’s Town Council. After reading Mrs. Richardson’s letter, I too feel a powerful sense of pride for having raised my family in such a caring, diverse community. Black Mountain has always been and will continue to be a “melting pot” for ideals, ideas and diversity. Mrs. Richardson’s letter points out and serves as a good reminder of the many contributions and sacrifices of those who went before us. And maybe the single most important realization we will take from Mrs. Richardson’s letter—an editorial moment if you will—is the fact that at one time or another each of us has been a “newcomer” to Our Valley and to that end we all have an unwritten responsibility to leave behind a part of ourselves that helps promote and secure Black Mountain’s continuance as an incredible place to live, work and raise a family. Cheers!
Black Mountain Savings Bank
P.O. Box 729 • 200 East State Street • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • 1.828.669.7991
“Established in 1908, We are One of the 47 Oldest FDIC Insured Banks in America” (that’s Out of 4,620 FDIC Insured Banks) …Too, We are the Town’s Oldest Continuing Business and the Only “Community Owned Bank.” We Have Been Taking Savings Deposits and Making “Local Home Loans” for 116 Years”
Copyright: M. Wendell Begley, series 877, VE10, March 21 2024
