What was the first automobile ever sold in Asheville, North Carolina? In 1901, Asheville native Eugene Coston Sawyer purchased a 1901 Locomobile steam powered runabout that he used to promote Octagon soap at his brother Clarence’s Grocery store in Pack Square. The Locomobile caused quite a stir with locals. He would be the city’s only automobile dealer from 1901-1906. Many other dealers would open in the following years. Eugene began by selling bicycles at his store, the Asheville Cycle Company. He was a very competitive cyclist and led several bicycling clubs in Asheville. In 1900, he bought one of the first mass-produced motorcycles, a Thomas Auto Bicycle. He began selling bicycles and automobiles in 1901 and continued on until the late 1950s. One of his crowning achievements, the Sawyer Motor Building at 100 Coxe Avenue still exists today. Built in 1924, this four story building was the second building constructed on Asheville’s first “motor mile,” Coxe Avenue. Sawyer lived to be 95 years old and credited his longevity with an active lifestyle. He would run alongside his customers as they test-rode bicycles, which he claimed kept him in good physical shape.
Although the first automobile was brought to Asheville in 1901, they wouldn’t start to be commonplace until the next decade. At the dawn of the automobile, internal combustion, electric and steam cars were all sold in Asheville. After the advent of the electric starter on gasoline engines, they would become the most popular cars in our city. But where did you buy gasoline before the gas station? In Asheville, it was sold at drug and hardware stores. It was also delivered to your house by Louis Fragge, a local businessman who pulled a horse drawn tanker house to house, where he would fill up your car in the driveway or fill up gas cans or large tanks that were stored behind your home. The first purpose built gas station in the US was said to have been developed around 1913, however they wouldn’t become commonplace until the early 1920s when Gulf refining began building stations in Asheville. One of Asheville’s native sons, Harry Blomberg, opened one of the first service stations/gas stations on the Market Street automobile district: Harry’s Motor Inn. He would perform steam cleaning and greasing of the chassis of your car, a full wash and wax, repairs and service and provided secure automobile storage for downtown workers and residents. Harry’s Motor Inn was open 24 hours a day. He later opened Harry’s Motor Inn #2 on Haywood Street, both open 24 hours a day. He even added another Motor Inn on the grounds of the Grove Park Inn. This is the same Harry of @harrysonthehill The automobile would go on to bring more tourists to Asheville and transform the city as we know it today.
What was the first police vehicle in Asheville? In 1912, @ashevillepolice purchased their first patrol vehicle, a 1912 Chase Model H Truck from Eugene Sawyer, proprietor of the Asheville Automobile Company on Lexington Avenue. Sawyer brought the first car to Asheville in 1901 - a 1901 Locomobile steam powered touring car. The Chase Model H truck had a three cylinder air cooled inter al combustion engine with 15-20 horsepower and an advertised payload of 2,000 pounds. It had solid rubber tires mounted on wooden spoke wheels, carrying it to a top speed of 15-20 miles an hour. It was shipped directly from their factory in Syracuse, New York to the Asheville Automobile Company on May 11th, 1912. At first, officers were nervous about driving it as they had previously patrolled the city on foot, bicycle, horse and motorcycles as early as 1910. Sometimes they might even catch a ride on the electric street cars flying through town. However, they encountered difficulties with this new technology. Their new patrol truck did not have enough horsepower to climb ashevilles hills with several passengers, so frequently, prisoners were asked to get out and push the truck up the hills. After cresting a hill, it would be a slow, rough ride to the police headquarters. The truck was also ordered without any rear doors, which led to several prisoner escapes. The truck was sent back to Sawyer for a newer more powerful engine as well as a set of doors and taller gear set to climb Asheville’s hills better. Despite the modifications to the truck, the city was still not happy with its performance and it was traded out for a newer, more powerful truck in 1913. However, it was easier than dealing with horses. This purchase also coincided with the purchase of two motorized fire trucks, the first for a city in the state of North Carolina. It helped pave the way for more modern police equipment and without it, Asheville’s history may have been different.
I’m so excited to share this incredible footage of Helen’s Bridge captured by Tim Burchfield at @lineofsighttechnologies The history behind the bridge is almost crazier than the ghost stories surrounding it. In 1889, John Evans Brown, an Asheville native constructed this beautiful stone and pebbledash mansion on top of the ridge of Beaucatcher Mountain called “Zealandia.” Brown left Asheville to travel to New Zealand, where he made his fortune in sheep farming. While in New Zealand, he married the adopted daughter of a wealthy merchant. The house’s name is said to pay tribute to the country of New Zealand. Brown was related to the Coxe family, that later developed much of Asheville, including constructing the original Battery Park Hotel. Brown sold the house to OD Revell, who then sold it to Sir Phillip S. Henry, an Australian born diplomat who married Violet Lewisohn of the United Metals copper baron family. Henry expanded the mansion and added a small historical museum to it. He also built a larger Tudor style stable for his horses which sadly burned in 1981. The foundation of the stable still remains. The bridge known as Helen’s bridge was constructed in 1909 with stone quarries near by, maybe from nearby Sunset Mountain. It was designed by associated Biltmore architect Richard Sharp Smith and his partner Albert Heath Carrier. The bridge is said to be the site for a ghost named Helen who worked at Zealandia and lost her baby in a fire at the house, then took her own life on the bridge. People report having car trouble after shouting Helen’s name three times to summon her. The bridge was almost lost in 1976, when NCDOT blasted away part of Beaucatcher mountain to create the cross town expressway I240. Several historic homes and even part of Zealandia was lost during this time. @preservationavl lead a heroic effort thanks to Betty Lawrence and Robert Griffin to save the mountain but to no avail. Today Zealandia is home to a property management company
Happy New Year! We’re looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year for more Model T tours and Asheville history!
Our good friend Bruce’s beautiful 1967 Jaguar E Type easing away. What a car!
Calling all locals! We will be back giving tours starting Friday, November 15th! We’re offering 20% for all locals on our downtown Asheville and Grove Park tour. Call or email us at mountaineermotortours.com for more details. We also have killer new stickers designed by Scott Fisk at @studio_669 and printed locally by our pals at @image420screenprinting Anyone who takes a tour or orders merch will get several of these awesome stickers featuring Mabeline the Model T for free! @avltoday @discoverashevillenc @avlchamber @avlhistory @preservationavl @wlos_13 #asheville #avl #wnc
Just a couple of updates from MMT! We are holding out hope we’ll be able to return to tours in time for the holidays! It’s almost Halloween - have you grabbed one of our new Seely Castle t shirts? We are offering free local pick up tomorrow for Halloween - DM us if you are interested in buying a shirt! Printed locally by @image420screenprinting
Just hamming it up a little bit after a tour at the @omnigrovepark 😂 Come see us for a tour!
Having a little fun with the tour mobiles today! Which “Aaoogah” horn do you like better? Ford Model A (first one) vs Ford Model T (second)
Had a good day with @kip_veno checking out all of the @ford Model As in #asheville for the @modelarestorers club national convention. They are all over the @crowneplazaasheville !
Come learn a little bit more about Asheville’s automotive history on North Market Street on our pop up rides - happening from 11am to 1pm at @sovereignremedies with the incredible @street_sinatra singing some great tunes while you enjoy breakfast! Rides are 15 minutes for $25 - cash or card accepted. Rides are first come first served
Mountaineer Motor Tours will take you on a tour of Asheville, North Carolina in a 1923 Ford Model T!
