Black Mountain's Past
exploring the links between mountains of the east and west
Wendell Begley
Guest Contributor
The Valley Echo
July 25, 2024
A “window” view from Mine and Mary’s campsite in the Grand Tetons with Teewinot Mountain (12,326 feet, right) and Grand Teton (13,776 feet, back, left) as a backdrop. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Over 100 years ago, the Black Mountain Township, bordered along the East’s highest mountain range (The Black Mountains), held the enviable designation as shadowing the grandest “resort town” in Western North Carolina. With sprawling conference facilities located in Montreat, Black Mountain and Ridgecrest, Black Mountain was also dubbed as harboring the largest religious conference center in the nation. At that time, tourists to Black Mountain were also drawn to the famous Mount Mitchell Railroad Station built in 1913 and located just east of town. The narrow-gauge railroad offered passenger travel to the East’s highest peak (Mount Mitchell) at 6,684 feet. Additionally, overnight guests were welcomed with the establishment of the Alexander Inn (built by George C. Alexander in 1820) in Swannanoa, Jesse Stepp’s early 1830s cabins at the head of the North Fork Valley (today’s Asheville Watershed) and lastly, the Black Mountain House (also called the Patton House), which was built by William Patton in 1851 and located at an elevation of 5,230 feet on the southern slopes of the Black Mountain Range (today’s Asheville Watershed). Famously, anchored into the mountainside, the Patton House was advertised as the highest overnight lodging facility in Eastern America.
As noted by our colorful history, the Swannanoa Valley graciously welcomed the first tourists, which were initially called “excursioners.” This was especially true for those that came here to climb the East’s tallest mountain range and peak in Eastern North America.
A picture I composed a few years ago of a “bugling” Yellowstone Elk along Yellowstone’s famous Madison River. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Interestingly, that being said, we share a compelling history with two of the West’s most famous National Parks. So, years ago, during a two-week backcountry trip in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone Park’s Lamar Valley, famously known as America’s Serengeti, I was reminded of colorful stories connecting Black Mountain to these famous national parks. Ninety-two years ago in 1932, the “Yellowstone Elk Project” involved North Carolina’s acquisition of eleven Yellowstone elk. These majestic animals were part of a State supported re-establishment venture on Bald Knob Ridge near Mount Mitchell State Park. Famously, two local Black Mountain boys, Jim Cordell (1889-1957) and Colonel C. Nelson Mease (1893-1972) managed the project, which was one of the nation’s earliest elk restoration efforts.
My photograph of Blue Ridge Assembly’s Blue Ridge Center Building Lobby (see Pitched Windows). Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Black Mountain and Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park also shared another common bond. One event included John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874-1960). In 1915, Rockefeller, a substantial Baptist, opened his pocket book to aid in the development of Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly. Rockefeller also helped with the establishment and funding of Grand Teton National Park in 1929.
My photograph of the Grand Teton National Park’s Jackson Lake Lodge Lobby (see rectangular windows). Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Interestingly, after witnessing the opening of the park and so many folks traveling to the destination, he felt a responsibility for bringing them there. As a result, in 1955 he designed and funded the building of today’s historic overnight lodge called the Jackson Lake Lodge. Today, that lodge, located at the base of the Grand Teton Range, offers one of America’s most spectacular and picturesque mountain vistas.
Another “local” connection to Grand Teton (the Peak). I took this picture 18 years ago in February 2006 as my “Old Friend and Montreat resident.” Dr. Robert Barker summited Mount Mitchell. Robert was running in the 2006 Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Race. Dr. Barker, a man of many talents and a skilled mountaineer, completed the technical climb of the The Grand Teton many years ago. The Grand Teton has been referred to by many famous, legendary mountaineers as the “Matterhorn” of America. Photo courtesy of the Wendell Begley Collection
Another little-known fateful event tied Blue Ridge Assembly’s “Blue Ridge Center Building” to Wyoming’s majestic Jackson Lake Lodge. Today, the Blue Ridge Center Building is the “hub” of activity for Blue Ridge Assembly as is the Jackson Lake Lodge to Grand Teton National Park. The common local connection happened like this … William A. “Bill” Watts, Jr., (1921-2001) a long time Trustee and building committee Chairman at Blue Ridge Assembly, had visited the Jackson Lake Lodge and was extremely impressed with the building’s design. He was specifically taken-in by the Hotel’s Lobby which was built in such a way that the three stories of glass overlooked Jackson Lake and the Grand National Teton Park and Mountain Range, which famously included the The Grand Teton at 13,775’. As a result, Watts was able to influence Blue Ridge Assembly’s Board of Directors to design the Blue Ridge Center Building so that the structure and its glassed-in lobby would emulate that of the Jackson Lake Lodge. 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, wendell@blackmountainsavings.com, series 877, VE19, July 26, 2024
