Willits on the route

Motoring through the Mountains - 1930s: Willits

Jackson County, N.C.
Altitude: 2,625 feet

This article in the June 29, 1926, issue of The Ruralite (Sylva, N.C.) highlighted the importance of highway improvements in western North Carolina. The article reported on the progress of pouring concrete to complete a hard surface road between the communities of Willets and Balsam, the latter being on the Jackson County and Haywood County line.

The Jackson County Journal, March 21, 1924, featured a column on the community of Willets that illustrated the ability of individuals to travel throughout the region, including the ability “to motor” to neighboring towns:

“Willets”

“It has been a long ole time since items have appeared in the Journal that we want people to know we are still on the map. . . .”

“The old Rhodolite mines that Colonel Jones has labored over for so many years has been taken over into new hands. Everything is on the `boom’ and from the way things look Willets will soon be a very prosperous little place. . . .”

“Mr. Bob Long, who moved to Sunburst some time ago was in Willets last weekend.”

“Miss Helen Owen took the seventh grade on a camp supper Tuesday afternoon. . . .”

“Jeter Snider, Birdell Snider, Lola Hall, Helen Owen, Orville Terrell and Caribelle Sprinkle motored to Waynesville, Monday night to the show.

“Mr. Lloyd and Edwin Robinson went to Beta Sunday night to a play given by the B.Y.P.U.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Case spent Sunday night in Canton.”

Willits in the 1890s  |  Willits in the 1910s

To the West: Addie

directions

To the East: Balsam


Return to the Map for the 1930s



Sources & Readings

  • “Road Work Progressing Nicely.” The Ruralite (Sylva, N.C.), June 29, 1926.
  • “Willets.” Jackson County Journal, March 21, 1924.
  • Williams, Max R., ed. The History of Jackson County. Sesquicentennial ed. Sylva, NC: Jackson County Historical Association, 2001.