University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Robert G. Fortune, Jr

No Picture Available

Title

 Robert G. Fortune, Jr. Oral History

Creator

 Robert G. Fortune, Jr.
Alt. Creator Interviewer: Dr. Bruce S. Greenawalt

Subject
LCSH

 Asheville (N.C.) -- Transportation -- History
Rural electrification -- Environmental aspects -- United States 
Asheville (N.C.) -- History

Subject
Keyword:

Photography ; Rural electricity development ; Industrial development ; Farming ; Depression ; Trolley cars ; Carolina Power and Light Company ; Incandescent lamp

Description

 This oral history covers Mr. Fortune's early education at private schools in Asheville and later at the high school. He entered N. C. State University, receiving a degree in electrical engineering in 1925. He worked in his father's department store until the Depression.

Mr. Fortune's reminiscences give much insight into the effort required to carry electricity to the farms. The interview also deals with the inception of electrical power to provide trolley car service initially, and its growth following the development of the incandescent lamp.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

 Robert G. Fortune, Jr.

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2001-07-15

Type

Text

Format

 TRANSCRIPT : 45 pages

Identifier

 http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/oralhistory/SHRC/fortune_robert_jr.html

Source

Dr. Bruce S. Greenawalt Oral History Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804

Language

English

Relation

 Southern Highlands Research Center Oral History Collection http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/oralhistory/SHRC/default_shrc.htm

Coverage

 1925-1980; Asheville, NC
Rights No restrictions ;  Any display, publication, or public use must credit the D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville. Copyright retained by the authors of certain items in the collection, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Acquisition

 1979-10-12

Processed By

 Southern Highlands Research Center staff , 1978 ; Special Collections staff, 2001

Interview Date

 1979-10-12

Biography

In 1936, Mr. Fortune joined the staff of the Carolina Power and Light Company during a period of wide expansion in the use of electricity in the rural sections of Western North Carolina. Mr. Fortune is noted for his collection of photographs of Asheville's early history, which he has developed as a hobby since his retirement from the Carolina Power and Light Company. He is in constant demand to present his slide shows before schools, clubs, and other organizations. The programs have much variety, the result of Mr. Fortune's continued efforts to increase his collection. His photographs portray many aspects of the development of the area over the years.

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