Herman Wilcox collection
Collection
Identifier: AC-493
Scope and Contents
The Wilcox Collection contains biographical information, newspaper clippings, photographs, and personal correspondence concerned with the life of Herman W. Wilcox. The collection covers Wilcox’s life from his early years on the railroad and his association with the “Tweetsie” to his establishment of his own travel agency and the Boone bus stop. There are also news clippings concerning the 50th anniversary of the Flood of 1940, which influenced Wilcox’s life through its destruction of the railroad which led to the end of the “Tweetsie” Line. The collection also contains clippings about the bus station founded by Wilcox and the history of the rock structure it was housed in.
Dates
- 1928-1994
Language
The materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
No interlibrary loan.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for use in the Dougherty Reading Room. An appointment for research is recommended. The Dougherty Reading Room is located on the 4th floor of Belk Library in Special Collections.
Biographical Note
Herman Wilcox was a prominent member of the Boone, North Carolina community and influential in the realm of regional transportation history. Wilcox arrived in Boone in 1919 where he began working at the 211 Depot as an employee of the Linville River Railroad. He later became the station agent at this depot and the local manager of Western Union. During his career Wilcox worked to create a freight line between West Jefferson, Boone, and Johnson City and opened a Greyhound bus line to Boone. After the Flood of 1940, Wilcox bought the train depot and opened a travel agency for which he commissioned the rock structure formerly located on the corner of Depot and Rivers Street. Throughout his life Wilcox worked to promote the High Country as a travel destination and became a central figure in the local history surrounding railroading and travel.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 half-sized manuscript box)
Abstract
The Herman Wilcox Collection contains photocopies of newspapers clippings about Herman Wilcox, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, the Boone bus depot, and the 1940 flood.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject and is divided into four folders each addressing a particular aspect of Herman Wilcox’s life and career. The first folder contains biographical information and materials pertaining to Herman Wilcox as a businessman and community member. Articles and photographs concerned with Wilcox’s association with the “Tweetsie” railroad line constitute the second folder. News clippings and historical information on the rock depot built by Wilcox as a bus stop are contained in the third folder. The 50th Anniversary of the 1940 Flood, celebrated in the Watauga Democrat in 1990 is housed within the fourth folder.
Location
A47.5.1
Acquisitions Information
This collection was transferred from University Archives to the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection on July 18, 2011 and was accessioned as AC.2011.061. The original donor of the material is unknown; however, the collection was originally accessioned in the University Archives in 2003 as UA.2003.103.
Processing Information
Processed by Trevor McKenzie, July 2011. This collection was processed as part of a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The grant funded extensive processing of the backlog within the W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection between 2012 and 2014.
- Boone (N.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Boone (N.C.) -- History. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Railroads -- North Carolina. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Railroads. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- AC.493: Herman Wilcox Collection, 1928-1994
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Trevor McKenzie
- Date
- July 19, 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Appalachian State University Special Collections Repository
Contact:
218 College Street
Boone U.S.A. - North Carolina 28608-2026 United States
8282624975
8282624975 (Fax)
witsmands@appstate.edu
218 College Street
Boone U.S.A. - North Carolina 28608-2026 United States
8282624975
8282624975 (Fax)
witsmands@appstate.edu
