From Wooden Planks to Parallel Lines of Steel
Prior to the Civil War, the plan to construct the Western North Carolina Railroad was an intolerable idea. The forming of this railroad would set the western region behind and cause a delay for the forming of the Rutherford line. So in 1855, the plan to construct more on either was dismissed. Citizens felt that the railroad would not improve the state and “regarded themselves as having neither part nor lot in the internal improvement system of North Carolina” (Blackburn, 1980). Citizens also believed that the constructing of railroads was a slow and costly process, and ultimately decided to invest in the building of plank roads.
Plank roads were made from a graded bed on gravel and thick planks of pine lumber. Lumber was a cheap resource at that time, which was another reason the western region followed through with putting plank roads throughout what was then called the Buncombe Turnpike (Blackburn, 1980). But by the time the Civil War had ended, these roads were left damaged and neglected. Blackburn states that “inspite of a bleak outlook (after the war), the people of Western North Carolina still looked forward to the extension of the railroad over the mountains”(Blackburn, 1980, p.377). Because sections of the Western North Carolina Railroad needed an adequate amount of repairs and upgrades, legislative acts were passed to repair and extend the WNCRR westward. And by 1869, the Western North Carolina Railroad was in full recovery; making daily trips from Salisbury to Morganton. "Advocates of internal improvements believed the North Carolina Railroad was the first step in rescuing their home state from its slothful, economic condition and dependence"(Kickler, 2012).
Under President James W. Wilson, the WNCRR made steady progress for several years. “Trains brought money, power, and a taste of affluence to Western North Carolina”(Osment, 2008). Though the state faced many challenges in providing accessible transportation including a rugged, mountainous terrain, as well as the after-effects of the Civil War, WNCRR re-established a sense of productivity across the state when the expansion of the railroad became more focused on industrialism rather than trade (Osment, 2008). The WNCRR was split into two divisions, and each division formed after that was to be organized into a new company. This raked in capital stock in the amount of nearly $850,000 (Blackburn, 1980, 392). The expansion of the WNCRR also created numerous jobs across the state. Now, not only were valuable resources like lumber, coal, and copper being distributed by train, but railway business needed to form more crossroads. The WNCRR finally reached Pigeon River and from there it expanded a treacherous grade over Balsam Mountain and dropped into Dillsboro. Eventually the WNCRR expanded through the towns of Bryson City and Andrews before finally reaching to Murphy. (Osment, 2008).
"A country dame, on her first visit to the sea, looking over its vastness and mentally contrasting it with the pent-up Utica that hitherto had contracted her powers, exclaimed: "I'm glad to see something there is enough of." Not doubt one passing along the Western North Carolina Railroad might make a similar exclamation on beholding Nature's grand and impressive scenery...." (Helper, 1886).
VISIT THIS WEBSITE BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INDUSTRIALIZATION IN NORTH CAROLINA!
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newsouth/4745
Plank roads were made from a graded bed on gravel and thick planks of pine lumber. Lumber was a cheap resource at that time, which was another reason the western region followed through with putting plank roads throughout what was then called the Buncombe Turnpike (Blackburn, 1980). But by the time the Civil War had ended, these roads were left damaged and neglected. Blackburn states that “inspite of a bleak outlook (after the war), the people of Western North Carolina still looked forward to the extension of the railroad over the mountains”(Blackburn, 1980, p.377). Because sections of the Western North Carolina Railroad needed an adequate amount of repairs and upgrades, legislative acts were passed to repair and extend the WNCRR westward. And by 1869, the Western North Carolina Railroad was in full recovery; making daily trips from Salisbury to Morganton. "Advocates of internal improvements believed the North Carolina Railroad was the first step in rescuing their home state from its slothful, economic condition and dependence"(Kickler, 2012).
Under President James W. Wilson, the WNCRR made steady progress for several years. “Trains brought money, power, and a taste of affluence to Western North Carolina”(Osment, 2008). Though the state faced many challenges in providing accessible transportation including a rugged, mountainous terrain, as well as the after-effects of the Civil War, WNCRR re-established a sense of productivity across the state when the expansion of the railroad became more focused on industrialism rather than trade (Osment, 2008). The WNCRR was split into two divisions, and each division formed after that was to be organized into a new company. This raked in capital stock in the amount of nearly $850,000 (Blackburn, 1980, 392). The expansion of the WNCRR also created numerous jobs across the state. Now, not only were valuable resources like lumber, coal, and copper being distributed by train, but railway business needed to form more crossroads. The WNCRR finally reached Pigeon River and from there it expanded a treacherous grade over Balsam Mountain and dropped into Dillsboro. Eventually the WNCRR expanded through the towns of Bryson City and Andrews before finally reaching to Murphy. (Osment, 2008).
"A country dame, on her first visit to the sea, looking over its vastness and mentally contrasting it with the pent-up Utica that hitherto had contracted her powers, exclaimed: "I'm glad to see something there is enough of." Not doubt one passing along the Western North Carolina Railroad might make a similar exclamation on beholding Nature's grand and impressive scenery...." (Helper, 1886).
VISIT THIS WEBSITE BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INDUSTRIALIZATION IN NORTH CAROLINA!
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newsouth/4745