In Transylvania County | 1962-2011

1962

  • The Rosman Satellite Tracking Station was established by the
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It formed part
    of the worldwide Spacecraft Tracking and Data Acquisition
    Network which was integrated with the communications link for
    the manned space programs Project Gemini and Project Apollo. In 1981 this facility was transferred from NASA to the National Security Agency (NSA). The site was officially closed in 1995 and turned over to the U. S. Forest Service. Recognizing the potential for future use of the site, a number of businessmen and scientists were able to secure the site in 1999. They were joined by an expanding group of engineers, astronomers, and related scientists. These people formed an informal organization called the “Friends of PARI”. PARI, the acronym for Research Institute, in fact was born as an astronomical observatory which became home of the emerging Astronomical Photographic Data Archives (APDA). PARI has a very strong educational outreach through the Pisgah Astronomical Research and Science Educational Center (PARSEC).
     
  • On January 6, following the death of her husband, Sheriff E.V. Dillingham, Gertrude Dillingham was appointed to serve out his term. She became the first and only female Sheriff of Transylvania County

1963

  • All Transylvania County schools and Brevard High School football team integrated
     
  • Oak Grove Methodist Church operated since 1847. In 1963 it moved and changed its name to St. Timothy United Methodist Church

1964

  • Sylvan Plant of American Thread constructed (later renamed Coats North America)

1965

  • Henry Janiec named Artistic Director of Brevard Music Center

1968

  • 6,500 acre Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site established by Congress
     
  • Interior of the Courthouse renovated

1970

  • Blue Ridge Community College scheduled an upholstery class at the old Brevard Elementary School in downtown Brevard

1971

  • Construction began on present Transylvania Community
    Hospital
     
  • Silvermont deeded to Transylvania County. 1 In a letter dated December 9, 1971 (two months before her death), Dorothy Jean (Silversteen) Bjerg - the sole survivor of the Silversteen family - signed a letter to County Commissioner Siniard deeding Silvermont and its grounds to Transylvania County.

1974

  • County purchased the old Post Office building. Transylvania
    County Library occupied it  in November

1978

  • Brevard became a Tree City USA. Beth Gash chaired the Tree Committee and worked hard to establish the designation in Brevard. It has remained a Tree City USA for 32 years.

1981

  • The jail was relocated to a building on East Morgan Street

1983

  • Courthouse and jail renovated retaining the aesthetic and historic significance.
     
  • Opal Hahn served as the first woman mayor of Brevard from 1983-1986

1985

  • Group of Employees conduct the “buy-out” of Ecusta from Olin-Mathieson

1986

  • The Transylvania Center of Blue Ridge Community College was established in the former Pisgah Forest Elementary building

1987

  • April 13: Notice was served that P. H Glatfelter Company had purchased Ecusta
     
  • The site of the Allison-Deaver House was saved and restoration planning began.

1988

  • Jim Bob Tinsley published his book: “The Land of Waterfalls, Transylvania County, North Carolina”

1991

  • Coats & Clark, Inc joined with American Thread forming Coats American at the Sylvan Plant near Rosman
     
  • Heart of Brevard opened its doors in January

1992

  • On April 3 the Brevard College Bell Tower, containing the Weaver College Bell, was dedicated

1993

  • Heart of Brevard became a Main Street Program
     
  • John Candler named first President and CEO of Brevard Music Center

1994

  • The Transylvania Center of Blue Ridge Community College moved to its current location on the Asheville Highway (formerly Straus Elementary School)

1995

  • The 10,300 acre DuPont State Forest was acquired in three major phases, spanning from 1995 to 2000. The 7600 acre forest was purchased by the State of North Carolina in 1996 and 1997 after DuPont sold its industrial operation and surrounding land holdings. The 2700 acres surrounding the industrial facility was sold to Sterling Diagnostic Imaging in 1996. The Conservation Fund, a national non-profit organization, negotiated an agreement between Du Pont and North Carolina officials which facilitated the public purchase. Du Pont transferred all excess property to the Conservation Fund under favorable terms (a combination of land donation and land sale). The State later purchased most of these lands from the Conservation Fund for approximately $2.2 million. Local environmental groups were instrumental in bringing these three parties together in 1995. Funding for the State Forest was granted by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund; about 1750 acres of the property is registered as having special ecological significance (with the N.C. Natural Heritage Program), and receive special management protection. 

1996

  • Brevard College became a four-year college, conferring the First Baccalaureate degree in May
     
  • Du Pont Diagnostic Imaging became Sterling Diagnostic Imaging.
     
  • David Effron succeeded Janiec as Artistic Director of Brevard Music Center

1997

  • Du Pont (Sterling) sold out to AGFA to produce fine film.
  • The newly restored Allison-Deaver House opened
     
  • The Alternative Education Program opened at Davidson River School. There had been a smaller version for about 18 years before that, but not the robust program it is now and became in 1997.
     
  • Brevard College launched its “Voice of the Rivers” program with an inaugural expedition from Brevard, NC to the Gulf of Mexico

1998

  • The Porter Center for Performing Arts was dedicated on Brevard College campus. It was named for Paul Porter a well known North Carolina businessman and a Brevard College Life Trustee
     
  • The Job Corps program was authorized by Title I-C of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
     
  • Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education dedicated on October 22
     
  • Sacred Heart Catholic Church occupied current church buildings

1999

  • 10,000 acres of the Jocassee Gorges were placed in public ownership to be preserved for future generations as Gorges State Park

2002

  • Ecusta Paper Corporation locked its doors for the final time (laying off 600 workers)
     
  • AGFA went out of business and locked its doors (laying off 270 workers)
     
  • Brevard Downtown Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places

2003

  • Coats American went out of business (laying off 228 workers)

2005

  • Blue Ridge Community College renovated and remodeled the classroom at the Transylvania Center

2006

  • May 13, The Transylvania County Library dedicated its new facility
     
  • Brevard College fields its first football team

2007

  • Keith Lockhart became the fourth Artistic Director of Brevard Music Center in October

2008

  • Hospital name changed to Transylvania Regional Hospital
     
  • Comporium Communications began operations on December 1
     
  • The Applied Technology Building opened at the Transylvania Center of Blue Ridge Community College

2009

  • Dedication of the new Law Enforcement Center                   
                                                                                          
  • Main access area to Gorges State Park reopened
     
  • Sacred Heart offers the first Mass in Spanish
     
  • Brevard College Cycling Team wins National Championship

2010

  • Transylvania County is designated a Preserve America Community
     
  • Brevard College Cycling Team takes 2nd National Championship

By Brian du Toit and Susan Threlkel of the Transylvania Sesquicentennial Steering Committee
Historical photos are courtesy of the Rowell Bosse North Carolina rRoom, Transylvania County Library

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