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

Oral History Register
for

Harold and Sue Sluder

OH-VOA S581 Ha

Brittain's Cove Presbyterian Church
Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Sluder, Harold
Sluder, Sue
Buncombe County (N.C.) -- History
Asheville Normal and Teachers College (N. C.)
Education -- North Carolina -- Asheville -- History
Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. -- Missions

Subject

Keyword: Dula Springs Hotel ; Brittain's Cove Presbyterian Church ; Asheville Normal School ; Presbyterian missions

Description

Abstract: Sluder describes his education, and talks about the Presbyterian school, whose teachers were sent from the Asheville Normal and Teachers College. The teachers lived at the Dula Springs Hotel during its winter closing. The hotel and its history are described.  He discusses school and social life; meeting his wife; military service; and employment with the postal service and the weather bureau in Asheville. Various historical events are described, including the Depression, the World War II era, changes in utilities and transportation, and a local bank robbery. The history of Brittain's Cove Presbyterian Church is discussed. It was a "home mission" of the Northern Presbyterian Church, and was located near the school. Before its founding, members attended the "Reems Creek" church. In the 1940s the church changed affiliation to the Southern Presbyterian division. Mr. Sluder was made an elder in 1949, at age 28. A new church building was constructed in the 1960s, and the church is now self-sufficient. He considers the construction of the new building to be a highlight of his life.

Publisher

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

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-30

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 5-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and copy ; 6 color photographs ; newspaper articles

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA S581 Ha

Language

English

Relation

References: Bonnell Roberts Honeycutt Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

Side 1:

[1/1]  Harold moved from Asheville to Dula Springs at age 2.  First grade in Weaverville, 2-7th grade in Presbyterian school near church.  Teachers came from Asheville Normal Teachers College.  Graduated from Weaverville High School in 1939.

[1/33]  Teachers stayed in Dula Springs Hotel which was closed to tourists from September to June.  There were three buildings - Dixie Hall, White House and Paradise - a two story main building.  Teachers stayed in Dixie Hall.  There were three springs - sulphur, iron free (considered healthy) and freestone (for drinking). [Dula Springs Hotel]

[1/62]  Dula Springs Hotel had tennis courts, horseback riding and other recreational facilities.  Chambers bought it from the Dulas in 1900's and it was sold to Guthrie in 1936.  With the coming of motels and easy travel the resort was no longer profitable. [Charles Chambers, Dula Family, Arthur Guthrie]

[1/100]  All buildings but Dixie Hall were demolished.  This was remodeled into a home for the Meyers. [Tom Meyers]

[1/110]  Carolina Power and Light brought in electricity to the Cove in 1934 and life was changed. 

[1/143]  The road to Weaverville was paved in 1951 and repaved in 1970.  Population increased 10 times.

[1/155]  Farmers, scratching out a living on the land, fared better than city people during the Depression.

[1/177]  Church structure and financing described.  Before first church was built, people went to Reems Creek Church, which just celebrated its 200th anniversary. [James Whitted (photo of grave), Miss Goodrich, William Brittain (photo of grave), Robert Brittain, George Brittain]

[1/259]  Dula Springs relied on the Weaverville and county law enforcement.  There was no fire department.

[1/273]  A community club was established in 1960.

[1/279]  Brittain's Cove Presbyterian Church was a "home mission" church - under the Northern division.  Pastors might have 2 or 3 churches to care for.

[1/304]  Northern Presbyterian Church sold property in Asheville to Mission Hospital group.  They had nothing to do with the hospital.  The old hospital is now an office building.

[1/349]  Because of small membership, the church was unable to contribute much to the overall Presbyterian body and in 1943 it was about to be dropped because of its size.  It is now with the Southern group and under the wing of Weaverville Presbyterians.  Since 1962 the membership has increased to 68 and last year $50,000 was given to church financing. (see photos) [Dr. Henry Dendy, Rev. David L. Parks]

[1/418]  Harold was made an elder in 1949 at age 28.  He still holds this title and is very active as was his mother until her recent death. [Ethel Sluder]

[1/460]  Despite the small congregation it was decided to build a new church.  The process and plans are described.

Side 2:

[2/10]  The church is now self-sufficient and no longer needs funds from the Presbytery. [Dr. David L. Parks]

[2/22]  Harold feels part of Weaverville because he went to school there and transportation is now so easy.  His daughters were born in the Cove and his mother's house is next door. [Sandra, Karen, Myra Sluder]

[2/48]  He describes his school and social life as a young person. [Mrs. Young, Miss McLane]

[2/96]  His wife joins us and tells of her life in Georgia and working at the Dula Hotel for a summer where she met Harold.  [Sue Sluder]

[2/131]  The men returned from WWII service. [Charles Sluder, Gerald McMillan, William Shope, Jr.]

[2/134]  The bank robbery is described.  Honeycutt, a policeman, was tricked by robbers and tied to a tree (see Honeycutt tape). [Cleve Honeycutt (Xerox of newspaper)]

[2/210]  Lake Louise was once covered with lily pads.  This discouraged fishing so they were removed and the man-made lake was stocked.

[2/224]  After army service of 4 years in the Coast Guard he married in 1946 and worked as a postal accountant.  Later he worked in the Federal Building in the Weather Department.  Retired in 1979.

[2/240]  City plans to turn the Federal Building into a mall are discussed.  In the 30's it was used as an office building.  Cars were parked on the roof and square dances were held there.

[2/297]  Rationing during the war discussed.

[2/330]  The highlight of his life was building the church.

Thanks.

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