When Youngsville was booming!

During the first two decades of 20th century, when Youngsville Cotton & Tobacco markets were flourishing and Main Street business booming, there was an organized promotion of industry and real estate development. 

In the first ten years of 1900, Youngsville was a small boom town. 

'There were no autos in town until about 1910. So people used the train for business, pleasure or whatever their needs in relation to travel for a lengthy distance. Horses and buggies were still in use for shorter trips.'

  Around 1900, the railroad sponsored a big carnival which attracted large numbers of people. As a part of the celebration, local citizens participated in a colorful bicycle parade as well as other exciting contests. 

The following are highlights of some Youngsville events that occurred during the following years:

• 1900 Tornado Strikes Youngsville - Youngsville Baptist Church destroyed and rebuilt in 1902

• 1900  Youngsville Newspaper published: "Youngsville Record" (10 issues) First issue published late 1900 and last issue published early 1901.  The newspaper was published by: Dr. Ivey G. Riddick and Professor L.H Allred.

• 1902  (Sept) "The Southern Bell Telephone Co. is extending its line of wires through our town and will put in hone service here."

• 1906  Spivey & Timberlake Store -General merchandise and Undertaking. "We wish to inform the people...we have a nice and complete line of coffins, caskets.. & have received a new up-to-date hearse for accommodation of our customers." (August 1909)

• 1906  J.W. Winston & Co. (Hardware, Heavy and Fancy Groceries)

• 1907  Youngsville Freight Station burned.

• 1909  (March 2) Youngsville Passenger Station destroyed by fire.

• 1909  J.T. Wilson Lumber Yard and brick lumber house destroyed by fire.

• 1910  D. W. Spivey General Merchandise Store established. (Reported 1917: Annual sales around $50,000)

• 1913  First new cars introduced in town.

• 1914 -1918 World War I  At the end of 1914 there were 34 telephones (Southern Bell Telephone Co. & Henderson Telephone Co.) and it appears that these might have been private lines, although there could have been very lively party lines.

• 1917  The Franklin Times stated that "the Youngsville Industrial Club, an organization of industrious town citizens, offers free factory sites for the establishment of industry seeking locations. The tax is relatively low and desirable building lots may be purchased at reasonable rates."

• 1917-1918 Pandemic Influenza hits Youngsville. Large numbers of residents became ill and many died.

• 1918 World War I ends. "Peace has arrived!"  Youngsville boys return home.

The Roaring Twenties

"Moonshine"

From its early days as a British Colony in the 1700s through much of the 20th century (and today), the hills, hollers and swamps of North Carolina have been a hotbed of illegal liquor activity. Indeed, making untaxed liquor has been way of life handed down from generation to generation. (See: Moonshiners & Revenuers, Johnny C. Binkley). 

At times, crop yields were often sparse in Youngsville. Many of the farmers found the need to supplement their income by manufacturing ale, cider and stronger beverages, which was all legally arranged at that time in history.  In fact, during he 1800's there was a good bit of manufacturing which was bottled and sold in local stores. In earliest days farmers in this business supplied local taverns and storehouses, as well as individuals, with choice products. Along Brandy Creek in one area, there are two branches which are named Whiskey Branch and Cocktail Branch, officially recorded as such on old courthouse records. In 1848, James A. Spencer and Wortham Newton had been issued a license for one year to retail spirits. The sale of spirits then was popular at all stores, Inns, Ordinaries and taverns. It was all legal for farmers to brew the alcohol and sell it to those who needed it for business purposes, which was regulated by the governments. There is evidence that quite a lot of farmers in Franklin County, NC supplemented their income y making the spirits.  (Excerpts: Sketches of Youngsville and Pacific, Mr. R.E. Cheatham)

In Mr. W.G. Riddick's book, which he wrote while residing in the old Riddick Hotel [Youngsville] before 1910, he wrote several pages related to the habit of drinking spirited liquors. 

In connection with spirits he says, "Now I can look back to the time, even in my day, when it was not considered out of pace for Christians, even ministers of the gospel, to take a social glass of spirits.  Even when going home from church it was the custom to have apple brandy and sugar, peach brandy and honey, arranged on the sideboard and before going in to dinner, the preachers and the others took a glass of toddy."

Being a part of Franklin County where it is rather generally known that some few people have manufactured strong drink of their own special brand, a few rural sections around Youngsville have been no exception.  Many intriguing stories have been told in connection with moonshine operations with perhaps the most fascinating ones being in regard to clever schemes and elaborate methods for protecting their private business.

One of the old legal distilleries of our area was located a few miles from town a short distance from the railroad by a water course still known as Stillhouse Creek. It was apparently a prosperous business. Liquors were among items shipped in by railroad.  According to reports, some individuals or maybe they were business men, met the trains with a wheel barrow to haul their purchases away.

Electric Lights Installed in downtown Youngsville (1920)

Though this system was highly welcomed, it also caused a little sadness. The removal of oil lamps on street corners did away with favorite gathering spots where people gathered by nights by the lampposts to tell tales. Records show that Doc Winston was Lamplighter as well as Policeman.

Financial Markets Collapse - 1929 "The Great Depression"

For two decades the markets flourished. Decline began in the 1920's probably due to greater external competition and other factors. Then the financial markets crashed. Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake both stated that "the current depression was mild compared to the hard times of Civil War days". With a decline of local markets came a sharp decline in other businesses.

• 1917 - 1923 North Carolina Legislature finally approves funding (Loan) for installing electric lights in Youngsville. Tobacco markets are beginning to decline.

• 1929-1941 "The Great Depression": The Youngsville Tobacco market had dwindled down in the 1920s. Now the depression was forcing merchants and other businesses to close. When the depression began, this was the final blow to local prosperity. Grocery stores and various other shops and businesses closed. Jobs were scarce and several years of crop failures. Many citizens had trouble paying their bills. Much personal property was lost to the town and county by prominent citizens who were unable to pay their taxes.

•  1931 The Bank of Youngsville failed in 1931 after 20 years of service.  Town was having difficulty paying off debt from town lighting project for the 1920s. 

• 1933 (May) The Seaboard Rail Company notified Youngsville leadership that the Telegraph Office was going to be closed soon and passenger train stops would be limited.

• 1933 Telephone Office Closed.

• 1936 Sure Rest Mattress Company established by Raymond J. Hart family.

• 1936 To ease the economic problems, the federal government funded special programs that would provide employment. Town could make application for specific needs in their respective communities.  Projects varied considerably. Some were related to the construction of a building, to related repairs, improvements, street work.  Applications for street paving, water/sewer works were researched and prepared by the Youngsville Mayor's office.  A Letter to the President of the United States of America was written by the Mayor of Youngsville and submitted for financial assistance on much needed projects. 

• May 12, 1936.  Youngsville Mayor receives letter of acknowledgement from Assistant Secretary to the President regarding Youngsville's request. Matter to be brought to the attention of the Federal Emergency Administration. 

• World War II  (1939-1945)

• 1942 - Notice was given to Youngsville by Seaboard Railway that the last passenger train going south would discontinue stops.

National Guard Youngsville - In the Spirit of our Nations History, Youngsville National Guard Continues to Serve.

Headquarters Battery and Combat Train of the First battalion, 113th Field Artillery (FA), was originally recognized June 8, 1921 as Headquarter Detachment and Combat Train. The unit claims the distinction of being the first unit of its kind to be organized in the U.S. after World War I under the National Defense Act. The first Battery Commander was Capt. R. Earl Underwood who served in that capacity from June 1921 to March 12 1924. Capt. R. Earl Underwood and Frank Timberlake were instrumental in the organization of this Guard Battalion. Both men were WWI veterans. Bland G. Mitchell followed Frank Timberlake as Commander and was still serving when local guardsmen were activated in WWII in 1940. This unit continues active.  In 1957 the Youngsville Guard won the coveted Eisenhower Trophy for all-around superiority Guard leaders under the command of Commander Capt. Wiley Brown.  Members of this guard unit continue to serve our country to this day. Captain Rich Cash was the first Commander of the new National Guard facility in Youngsville.