ETOWAH HERITAGE DAY 1889 ~ 2019
October 19, 2019
Etowah Branch Library
The event logo celebrates Etowah's farming heritage, the train that once stopped at the former Etowah Depot on its way from Hendersonville to Toxaway, and the famous "Etowah Brick" produced from 1923 - 1955 at "the Brickyard." Brick image is from outside wall of the former Grange Hall built in 1959.
October 19, 2019
Etowah Branch Library
The event logo celebrates Etowah's farming heritage, the train that once stopped at the former Etowah Depot on its way from Hendersonville to Toxaway, and the famous "Etowah Brick" produced from 1923 - 1955 at "the Brickyard." Brick image is from outside wall of the former Grange Hall built in 1959.
In October 2019 a heritage celebration took place commemorating 130 years since the establishment of the first community post office in 1889, known as "Money Post Office."
While this was the first known event celebrating Etowah's historical beginnings, the Etowah Grange #984 and F.F.A. Club of Etowah High School sponsored Community Fairs in the fall of 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, celebrating the agriculture accomplishments of this developing community.
The 2019 event featured commemorative giveaways, historical displays, nine exhibitors, Appalachian live music by Lillian Chase & Company, apple cider & cookies.
A special treat was the arrival of the vintage 1926 La France "Parade Engine 16" by the generous participation of the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire & Rescue. Attendees enjoyed climbing aboard and posing with the parade engine which is housed on the ground floor lobby of the EHSF&R building.
While this was the first known event celebrating Etowah's historical beginnings, the Etowah Grange #984 and F.F.A. Club of Etowah High School sponsored Community Fairs in the fall of 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, celebrating the agriculture accomplishments of this developing community.
The 2019 event featured commemorative giveaways, historical displays, nine exhibitors, Appalachian live music by Lillian Chase & Company, apple cider & cookies.
A special treat was the arrival of the vintage 1926 La France "Parade Engine 16" by the generous participation of the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire & Rescue. Attendees enjoyed climbing aboard and posing with the parade engine which is housed on the ground floor lobby of the EHSF&R building.
1926 La France Parade Engine arrives at Etowah Heritage Day, driven by Vol. Firefighter Johnny Tate. Following the parade engine in its remarkable journey from the station is EHS Fire Chief Michael Huggins.
EXHIBITORS
4H of Henderson County
Etowah Horse Shoe Fire & Rescue
Etowah Heritage / Henderson County Genealogical
& Historical Society
Etowah Lions Club
Friends of the Library, Henderson Co. Public Library
Henderson County Heritage Museum
Historic Johnson Farm Fiber Arts & Heritage Weavers
Railroad Historian & Author Jerry Ledford
Transylvania Heritage Museum
PRESENTED BY
Etowah Heritage / Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society
Henderson County Public Library
Friends of the Henderson County Public Library
LILLIAN CHASE & COMPANY
Preserved farm and cabin artifacts from the John & Jane Clayton Orr homeplace:
Courtesy of Pat Bell Cantrell
Additional Farm Display items courtesy of: Grady Brown, estate/dairy farm of Ott & Alma M. Wells, Mike Williams
- oxen yoke
- cradle for cutting wheat
- cabin beam with wooden pegs
Courtesy of Pat Bell Cantrell
Additional Farm Display items courtesy of: Grady Brown, estate/dairy farm of Ott & Alma M. Wells, Mike Williams
Commemorative giveaways included:
- A shopping bag imprinted with the event logo and recognizing the many supporting community sponsors
- A bookmark with highlights of Etowah's history. Available at the Etowah Branch Library.
- From Sky Brook Farms dairy, a 1950s unused ice cream carton rescued from an Asheville business attic in 2019.
THANK YOU, ETOWAH
"Etowah Heritage Day 1889 - 2019" received generous support from many Etowah businesses and organizations. Thank You, all.
Special "thank you's" are noted for the:
Special "thank you's" are noted for the:
- Junior Firemen of the EHS Fire&Rescue who kindly assisted with set-up and break-down
- Presbyterian Church for providing the parking and corner site for the advertising banner
- Henderson County VIP Sheriff's Deputies who helped attendees cross Brickyard Rd from the parking area at the Presbyterian Church
- Etowah Heritage volunteers
- Henderson County Public Library and Friends of the Library for hosting and supporting this first time, community event