Black Mountain's Past
‘it’s a wonderful life’ this time of year in the swannanoa valley
Wendell Begley
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
December 21, 2023
“Christmas Holidays at Black Mountain Savings Bank”
The Bank dressed up in usual Holiday fashion. This December we celebrate our 55th Christmas at the corner of Richardson Boulevard and East State Street. Earlier offices were on Broadway and Cherry Street. On Thursday, Dec. 5 , we reveled with pride as we celebrated our 115th year of serving the citizens of the Black Mountain area. Black Mountain Savings is not only Black Mountain’s oldest business, but also one of the 47 oldest FDIC insured banks in America, out of 4,614 FDIC insured banks. Most importantly, we are not traded on the N.Y. stock exchange but owned by our Valley depositors. Just like the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan of Bedford Falls, characterized 76 years ago in the Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Black Mountain Savings is exclusively owned by the local citizens of the Swannanoa Valley who entrust us with their savings. Most importantly, our home loans are confined to the Swannanoa Valley, exclusively.
“The Holiday Season”
In youthful years, I always wished for a white Christmas. I believe back in the 1960s we really had more holiday snows. Well, maybe that is just a wishful memory. Nevertheless, back then many winter holidays were spent in the nearby “high mountains,” enjoying the outdoors and snow. In this 45-year-old Christmas picture, taken in 1978, I was cross country skiing with my two-year old daughter, Meredith in tow (pictured on my back). At the time, we were breaking trail on fresh snow along the old Perley Crockett Railroad grade near the Seeing Rock, high atop the Black Mountain Range near Mount Mitchell. Meredith, who is now in her 28th year of working with me at the Bank, was joined 14 years ago by my youngest daughter, Kannah.
“Christmas Angel”
Many years ago, around the Christmas holidays, I captured this snow scene highlighting what I’ve come to call the “Christmas Angel.” For scores of years this iconic monument has stood here in town in Mountain View Memorial Park Cemetery off Tabernacle Road.
“Swannanoa Valley’s Santa”
During the Holiday Season a few years ago, the Bank was decorated in its usual Christmas décor and my good friends Mike Raines and Allen Styles (Mountain Landscapes) were tidying up the Bank’s front yard in preparation for the Town’s annual Christmas Parade. They were also atop the Bank’s roof cleaning out the gutters. In the days that followed, several customers and friends called to say how much their young kids enjoyed seeing “Santa” (Allen Styles) in the Bank’s yard and specifically atop the roof. Well, we all got a chuckle and good feelings out of that experience. So, to make this story come to life, I included this picture I took a few years back of my jolly ol’ friend Allen Styles. Allen was walking past the Bank in the town’s traditional Christmas Parade.
“Montreat’s Assembly Inn and Lake Susan”
Another Christmas season comes and goes on the time -worn banks of Montreat’s Lake Susan. For too many years to count, Montreat (MRA/Mountain Retreat Association) hosted the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Banquet at the Assembly Inn, which overlooks Lake Susan. Oh, to hear just one more of Andy Andrew’s (1923-2016) thoughtful, heart-felt Christmas prayers. Prior to dinner, Andy always announced his Christmas Prayer in the doorway of the Assembly Inn Banquet Hall. As I look back on the years, there was something very special about Andy and, like Christmas, Andy just made you feel good all over. For many years Andy served on the Bank’s Board of Directors.
“The Christmas Star High on the Black Mountain Range”
I composed this scenic Christmas picture several winters ago. Early that cold December morning the sun, rising from the southeastern horizon, was burning down on the cloud-choked Swannanoa Rim and our Valley below. It was one of those inspirational moments that you “just had to be there” to truly appreciate the event. We are so thankful and blessed to live and work at the foot of Eastern America’s tallest mountain range. The Swannanoa Valley is one of the true “beauty spots” in America.
“May the Happiness and Joy of Christmas Be With You!”
All of us at Black Mountain Savings thank our customers for their friendship, good will and loyalty during 2023. We, like you, are so proud to call our Swannanoa Valley “home.” That said, may the special happiness, good cheer and spirit of the Christmas Season be with you and your family throughout the coming holidays and New Year. Cheers to all from our bank staff, standing from left to right: Myself, Kannah, Linda, Christi. Front row, left to right: Meredith and Sonya. Not pictured are Laci and Cailyn.
Cheers!
Black Mountain Savings Bank
P.O. Box 729 • 200 East State Street • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • 1.828.669.7991
“We are One of America's Oldest FDIC Insured Banks, Specializing in Home Loans and Savings Deposits in the Valley for Over 100 Years."”
Copyright: M. Wendell Begley, series 860, VE3, November 22, 2023
